[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 186 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9593-H9597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PREVENTING DESTABILIZATION OF IRAQ ACT OF 2018

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4591) to impose sanctions with respect to Iranian 
persons that threaten the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government 
of Iraq, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4591

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Destabilization 
     of Iraq Act of 2018''.

     SEC. 2. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN 
                   PERSONS THREATENING PEACE OR STABILITY IN IRAQ.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State 
     should continue to implement Executive Order 13438 (50 U.S.C. 
     1701 note; relating to blocking property of certain persons 
     who threaten stabilization efforts in Iraq).
       (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose 
     the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to any 
     foreign person that the President determines knowingly 
     commits a significant act of violence that has the direct 
     purpose or effect of--
       (1) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the 
     Government of Iraq;
       (2) undermining the democratic process in Iraq; or
       (3) undermining significantly efforts to promote economic 
     reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide 
     humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.
       (c) Sanctions Described.--
       (1) In general.--The sanctions described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (A) Asset blocking.--The exercise of all powers granted to 
     the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers 
     Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to block 
     and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests 
     in property of a foreign person determined by the President 
     to be subject to subsection (b) if such property and 
     interests in property are in the United States, come within 
     the United States, or are or come within the possession or 
     control of a United States person.
       (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole.--
       (i) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien who the 
     Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or 
     a designee of one of such Secretaries) determines is subject 
     to subsection (b) is--

       (I) inadmissible to the United States;
       (II) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to 
     enter the United States; and
       (III) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into 
     the United States or to receive any other benefit under the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).

       (ii) Current visas revoked.--

       (I) In general.--Any visa or other documentation issued to 
     an alien who is a foreign person that is described in 
     subsection (b) regardless of when such visa or other 
     documentation was issued, shall be revoked and such alien 
     shall be denied admission to the United States.
       (II) Effect of revocation.--A revocation under subclause 
     (I) shall take effect immediately and shall automatically 
     cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in 
     the alien's possession.

       (2) Penalties.--A person that is subject to sanctions 
     described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be subject to the 
     penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 
     of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
     1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful 
     act described in subsection (a) of that section.
       (3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters 
     agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply 
     to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is 
     necessary to permit the United States to comply with the 
     Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, 
     signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 
     November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United 
     States, or other applicable international obligations.
       (d) Waiver.--The President may, on a case-by-case basis and 
     for periods not to exceed 180 days, waive the application of 
     sanctions in this section with respect to a foreign person if 
     the President certifies to the appropriate congressional 
     committees at least 15 days before such waiver is to take 
     effect that such waiver is vital to the national security 
     interests of the United States.
       (e) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise 
     all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 
     and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
     (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for purposes of carrying out this 
     section.
       (f) Regulatory Authority.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall, not later than 90 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate 
     regulations as necessary for the implementation of this 
     section.
       (2) Notification to congress.--Not less than 10 days before 
     the promulgation of regulations under paragraph (1), the 
     President shall notify and provide to the appropriate 
     congressional committees the proposed regulations and the 
     provisions of this section that the regulations are 
     implementing.
       (g) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) Admitted; alien.--The terms ``admitted'' and ``alien'' 
     have the meanings given those terms in section 101(3) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(3)).
       (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee 
     on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
       (3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means a 
     person that is not a United States person.
       (4) Government of iraq.--The term ``Government of Iraq'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 576.310 of title 
     31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on June 22, 
     2016.
       (5) Knowingly.--The term ``knowingly'', with respect to 
     conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has 
     actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the 
     circumstance, or the result.
       (6) Person.--The term ``person'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 576.311 of title 31, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, as in effect on June 22, 2016.
       (7) Property; property interest.--The terms ``property'' 
     and ``property interest'' have the meanings given those terms 
     in section 576.312 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, 
     as in effect on June 22, 2016.
       (8) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' has the meaning given that term in section 576.317 
     of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on 
     June 22, 2016.
       (h) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective 
     beginning on January 1, 2022.

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION WITH RESPECT TO THE IMPOSITION OF 
                   SANCTIONS.

       (a) Determination.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the

[[Page H9594]]

     appropriate congressional committees a determination, 
     including a detailed justification, on whether Asa'ib Ahl al-
     Haq, Harakat Hizballah al-Nujaba, Liwa Fatemiyoun, Liwa 
     Zainebiyoun, and any foreign person that is an official, 
     agent, affiliate of, or owned or controlled by Asa'ib Ahl al-
     Haq, Harakat Hizballah al-Nujaba, Liwa Fatemiyoun, or Liwa 
     Zainebiyoun meets the criteria for--
       (1) designation as a foreign terrorist organization 
     pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality 
     Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);
       (2) the application of sanctions pursuant to Executive 
     Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking 
     property and prohibiting transactions with persons who 
     commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); or
       (3) the application of sanctions pursuant to section 2 of 
     this Act.
       (b) Additional Determination.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall include in 
     the determination submitted under subsection (a) an 
     additional determination, including a detailed justification, 
     on whether any of the individuals described in paragraph (2) 
     meets the criteria for the application of sanctions described 
     in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (a).
       (2) Individuals described.--The individuals described in 
     this paragraph are the following:
       (A) Qais al-Khazali.
       (B) Laith al-Khazali.
       (C) Akram Abbas al-Kaabi.
       (D) Shibl al-Zaydi.
       (E) Kazim al-Ta'i.
       (F) Hamid al-Jazairi.
       (G) Ali al-Yasiri.
       (c) Form.--The determination in subsection (a) and the 
     additional determination in subsection (b) shall be submitted 
     in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
       (d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence, the Committee on Financial Services, and the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; 
     and
       (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.

     SEC. 4. WATCHLISTS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall annually 
     establish, maintain, and publish a list of armed groups, 
     militias, or proxy forces in Iraq receiving logistical, 
     military, or financial assistance from Iran's Revolutionary 
     Guard Corps or over which Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps 
     exerts any form of control or influence.
       (b) Publication.--The lists required under subsection (a) 
     shall be published at the same time as the Department of 
     State's Annual Country Reports on Terrorism, beginning with 
     the first such Country Reports published after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Form.--If the Secretary of State determines that it is 
     appropriate to do so, the Secretary may, not later than 30 
     days after publication of the Annual Country Reports on 
     Terrorism referred to in subsection (b), submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a 
     classified annex.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume
  Mr. Speaker, this past September, thousands of Iraqis protested 
throughout the south of the country calling for Iran to stop meddling 
in their democracy. Yet, as these protesters shouted out, ``Iran out,'' 
their pleas were met with bullets by militias funded by and commanded 
by Iranians.
  This latest bout of violence in Iraq is not surprising. Iran has used 
the fight against ISIS as an excuse to expand its footprint inside Iraq 
and to fund tens of thousands of militia forces. Even as ISIS has 
receded in Iraq, Iranian-backed militias have continued to expand 
throughout the country and to expand into Syria, where these militias 
have helped the brutal Assad regime commit countless war crimes.
  These Iranian-backed militias not only threaten the Syrian and Iraqi 
people, they also pose a serious threat to U.S. personnel serving 
overseas, and I will tell you why.
  Mr. Speaker, 2 months ago, one of these militias launched mortars at 
the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, prompting a stern warning from the 
administration that the U.S. will hold the Iranian regime accountable 
for any attack by these militias against any U.S. personnel or U.S. 
Government facility.
  These militias also pose a direct threat to Israel. Some have formed 
a so-called Golan Liberation Brigade, with the explicit intent to 
attack Israel. The U.N. Ambassador, Nikki Haley, has cited reports 
alleging that Iran has begun transferring ballistic missiles to these 
militias that are in Iraq.
  Despite all this, many of these Iranian-backed militias have not been 
designated as terrorist organizations nor are they otherwise subject to 
U.S. sanctions, despite being affiliates of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. 
This oversight could allow these militias to access the U.S. financial 
system.
  Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation will allow support and it 
will bring that support to democracy in Iraq, and it will counter 
Iran's deadly influence there. This bill is narrowly tailored to go 
after those militias directly funded and commanded by the IRGC--the 
same militias that have attacked our soldiers; the same militias that 
continue to threaten those in the region.
  I am pleased that this bill also includes provisions to establish a 
watch list of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, which will allow 
Congress to continually monitor Iran's activity in the country, 
including new militias which may emerge in the future.
  The Iraqi people deserve and want genuine political reform and 
democracy, and above all else, they want peace. This cannot happen so 
long as Iran continues to fund and command militias within Iraq.
  Empowering Iranian militias is a step backwards for Iraq. Instead, it 
would introduce the Hezbollah model and all the chaos that goes along 
with it. Iranian influence will only perpetuate the cycle of violence 
and increase the sectarian polarization, once again creating the 
conditions for the reemergence of ISIS, al-Qaida, and other radical 
Islamist groups.
  For all these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                Washington, DC, November 27, 2018.
     Hon. Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I write with respect to H.R. 4591, the 
     ``Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act.'' As a 
     result of your having consulted with us on provisions within 
     H.R. 4591 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any further 
     consideration of this bill so that it may proceed 
     expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 4591 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our 
     committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our 
     committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation and asks 
     that you support any such request.
       I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 4591 and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 27, 2018.
     Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from 
     further consideration of H.R. 4591, the Preventing Iranian 
     Destabilization of Iraq Act, so that the bill may proceed 
     expeditiously to the House floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation in

[[Page H9595]]

     the future. I would support your effort to seek appointment 
     of an appropriate number of conferees from your committee to 
     any House-Senate conference on this legislation.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 4591 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. 
     I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and 
     look forward to continuing to work together as this measure 
     moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                Washington, DC, November 26, 2018.
     Hon. Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I write to you regarding H.R. 4591, 
     the ``Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act of 
     2017'', which the Committee on Ways and Means has 
     jurisdictional interest.
       As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions 
     in H.R. 4591 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means, including asset blocking, I 
     agree to waive formal consideration of this bill. The 
     Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the mutual 
     understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and 
     the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues that fall within our 
     jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the right to seek 
     appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving this or similar 
     legislation, and requests your support for such request.
       I would appreciate your response confirming this 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 4591 and ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Kevin Brady,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 27, 2018.
     Hon. Kevin Brady,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Brady: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to forgo a sequential 
     referral request on H.R. 4591, the Preventing Iranian 
     Destabilization of Iraq Act, so that the bill may proceed 
     expeditiously to the House floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation in the future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 4591 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate 
     your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward 
     to continuing to work together as this measure moves through 
     the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
                                                         Chairman.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, and I thank 
Representatives Kinzinger, Poe, and Suozzi for their bipartisan 
leadership on this legislation. And, of course, I thank Chairman Royce 
for working with me to get this legislation into shape for the floor.
  The vision that Democrats and Republicans have for Iraq is very 
similar. We all want to see Iraqis work together to provide for a more 
prosperous future for their country. We want the greatest number of 
Iraqis to access the wealth of their country's natural resources. We 
want to see Iraqis focus more on what unites them than what divides 
them. We want to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and the next generation 
of ISIS or al-Qaida. We want to protect religious minorities.
  That is why it is so important to bring this legislation to the floor 
today. That is why Republicans and Democrats worked together to find 
common ground on American policies in Iraq. Especially after the Iraqi 
election, when it remains unclear which path Iraq will choose, we want 
to demonstrate to the Iraqi people that we support their efforts to 
build a better country.
  This bill penalizes those who want to exploit Iraq's sectarian 
differences and those who use violence toward those ends. It also 
establishes a separate watch list to help keep track of proxy groups in 
Iraq that are doing the bidding of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard 
Corps.
  It sends the message that those in power must prioritize answering to 
the Iraqi people and not to Iran. We hope that this legislation will 
empower those who seek a better future for Iraq and its people.
  I am glad to support H.R. 4591, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger). A member of the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, he is the author of this bill, and his service to our 
Nation includes the time he spent as an Air Force pilot serving in Iraq 
and in Afghanistan.
  Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for 
his many years of service.
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4591, the Preventing 
Destabilization of Iraq of 2018, which I introduced with my colleague, 
Representative Suozzi.
  Since the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Iran has been working to gain 
access and influence in Iraq by dismantling American efforts to 
stabilize the country and the region. It is abundantly clear that Iran 
is working to gain influence in Iraq to further their radical agenda, 
and we must do everything in our power to counter their tyrannical 
regime and provide hope for the Iraqi people.
  I am troubled by the growing influence of Iranian-backed Popular 
Mobilization Forces, which are being set up as a parallel military 
structure to undermine the Iraqi security forces.
  Just this week, we saw the head of a powerful PMF, which would be 
sanctioned under this legislation, demanding that the Iraqi Government 
allow these militias to secure the border with Syria. Not only would 
this legitimize the PMF, but it would also give the Iranians one of 
their greatest desires, a secure land bridge to supply weapons and 
troops from Tehran to the Mediterranean.
  Over the past few months, we have seen the security situation in Iraq 
slip further into despair. The U.S. compounds in Baghdad and Basra were 
attacked by Iranian-backed groups, resulting in the latter shutting its 
doors.
  I believe retreating will only hurt the Iraqis and make the region a 
more dangerous place, a lesson that we have already learned once.
  Following the elections in Iraq this year, we saw Iranian proxies and 
militias, as well as Iraqis working on behalf of the Iranians, 
attempting to form a coalition government in Baghdad.
  This act, which passed the committee unanimously, would impose 
sanctions on Iranians or any other person who threatens the peace and 
stability of Iraq. It will also sanction several terrorist 
organizations, as well as their leaders, many of which are trained and 
funded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
  Passage of this legislation ensures that the Iranians are not given a 
free pass to meddle in the affairs of the Iraqi people. I thank all my 
colleagues for their work on this legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), an original cosponsor of the 
bill.
  Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel and Chairman 
Royce for their bipartisan cooperation in this committee, and I thank 
Representative Kinzinger for his leadership on promoting stability in 
the Middle East overall.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the bipartisan H.R. 4591, the 
Preventing Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2018.
  At the 2018 United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President 
Rouhani spoke against foreign interventions and impositions of ``alien 
wishes of the people of the region.'' Iran's Foreign Minister Javad 
Zarif complained about countries that support ``nonstate actors who 
wreak havoc through terror.'' They both might want to look in the 
mirror.
  In Iraq, Iranian-backed militias have committed human rights abuses 
for years, executing and beating civilians and looting homes. These 
same militias have taken roles in trying to influence Iraq's nascent 
political system.
  In Iraq's recent elections, IRGC Commander Qasem Soleimani personally 
meddled in Iraq's political process by coercing Shiite parties with 
differing views to form a parliamentary majority, one that presumably 
would favor

[[Page H9596]]

Iran's agenda. This, of course, is only one example of Iranian 
activities across the Middle East.
  In Syria, Iranian-backed militias have done their own share of 
murdering and looting. In Yemen, the Iranian-backed Houthis oppress 
their own people and fire ballistic missiles at civilians in Saudi 
Arabia. From Bahrain to Lebanon, Iran has played a destabilizing role.

  H.R. 4591 would sanction any foreign person, not just Iranians, 
conducting significant destabilizing activities in Iraq.
  Corruption is endemic and rampant in Iraq's political system. Iraq's 
long-term stability depends on a representative government that 
reflects the will of the people.
  This bill requires our government to review the status of two of 
Tehran's proxies in Iran, HHN and AAH, and assess whether the State 
Department should designate them as foreign terrorist organizations.
  By 2011, AAH claimed responsibility for thousands of attacks on U.S. 
and coalition forces, including the tragic 2007 attack on the Karbala 
provincial headquarters, which resulted in the execution of four 
Americans. The group is notorious for its use of explosively formed 
penetrators, the devastating IEDs that have killed and maimed far too 
many American troops and civilians.
  HHN, a hybrid of fighters from AAH and Hezbollah Brigades of Iraq, 
played an active role against Americans during the Iraq war, and now in 
Syria's civil war, boasting of a unit in the Golan Heights targeting 
Israel.
  These groups claim they exist to protect Iraqis, but as the evidence 
clearly demonstrates, they terrorize their countrymen and innocents 
across the region.
  But these militias are not the only security threat in Iraq. Although 
the Islamic State has largely been driven from Iraq, the country still 
faces a myriad of economic and political challenges. Left unaddressed, 
Iraq could once again destabilize, creating a void for ISIS or other 
extremists to fill and, once again, throw the region into chaos and 
turmoil.
  This summer, citizens of Basra, Iraq's second largest city, openly 
protested the corruption and mismanagement that has tainted their water 
supply and left their electrical grid in tatters. They directed some of 
their anger at the Iranian-backed militias that have enriched 
themselves while ordinary Iraqis suffered.
  The Iraqi Government cannot provide the services its citizens so 
desperately need while so much power is controlled by the militias. We 
need to stand with and aid Iraqis that merely want to root out 
corruption and malign foreign interference in their internal affairs.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4591.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairman emeritus of the 
Foreign Affairs Committee, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Middle 
East and North Africa.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Chairman Royce, 
and I commend both the Speaker and Ranking Member Engel. I am going to 
miss serving with you, Eliot, as Chairman Royce and I say bye-bye in 
just a few weeks. But I thank them for always bringing to the floor 
bipartisan bills that make America a stronger place.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Mr. Kinzinger's bill, H.R. 
4591, the Preventing Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2018. This timely 
bill will impose sanctions against a multitude of Iranian militias, 
proxies, terrorist groups, and other nefarious entities that are 
operating in Iraq. And it makes it clear that the United States will 
not allow Iran to continue undermining the stability of Iraq.
  This bill also includes important language authored by our presiding 
officer, Judge Poe, ensuring that the State Department determines that 
if certain Iranian-affiliated individuals are operating as terrorists, 
then they should be designated as terrorists.
  It further includes language by our great friend Congressman Joe 
Wilson of South Carolina, requiring a determination on whether Afghan 
and Pakistani brigades, under the control of the Iranian Revolutionary 
Guard Corps, should also be designated.
  This is common sense, Mr. Speaker. As Adam Kinzinger knows firsthand, 
Iran has been working against U.S. interests in Iraq for years, and it 
is directly responsible for American casualties and is intent on 
continuing to destabilize Iraq for its own purposes.
  We have to ensure that there are penalties for Iran's activities by 
doing everything that we can to block their proxies' assets, to cut off 
their funding, and to restrict their travel.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel. As we know, Iraq is a 
very important partner. This bill prioritizes its stability, and I 
thank the sponsor, Mr. Kinzinger, for authoring this bill. I encourage 
all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This is both a happy and sad moment for me. I am happy because, in 
the new Congress, I will be in the majority. But I am sad because so 
many of my friends are retiring, not coming back.
  I mentioned my good friend Mr. Poe before, and I just want to mention 
our now Speaker up here, my good friend, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. We have 
been working together for more than 25 years in passing all kinds of 
important legislation involving people's support around the world, 
making lives a little bit better for people, and working here to 
promote democracy at home.
  I want to have the opportunity to say that this Congress will be 
missing you. I know I will be missing you, and I know we will be in 
touch. You are the kind of Member that we need more of, someone who 
always reached across the aisle, someone who always worked in a 
bipartisan manner, and someone who was effective and intelligent. I am 
just proud to call you my friend. I had to say that.
  So I am going to close and say that Iraq is at a crossroads.
  We have another speaker? I am sorry. I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas, Judge Ted Poe, chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to reiterate that when the 
Foreign Affairs Committee meets and makes a decision, we do that almost 
in unison, Republicans and Democrats, looking out for the best foreign 
policy of the United States. And Chairman Royce and Mr. Engel, Chairman 
Engel, will do a great job in leading that effort, as you have done in 
the past when you were chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
  I am proud to support Representative Kinzinger's bill, the Preventing 
Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2018.
  For too long, Iraq has been the center of chaos and instability in 
the Middle East. While much of this is due to terrorist groups, its 
expansionist, saber-rattling neighbor to the east also bears enormous 
responsibility for undermining Iraq's sovereignty and security.
  Iran is determined, in my opinion, to make Iraq a puppet state of its 
tyranny. For years, Iran has armed and financed thousands of Iraqi 
militia fighters loyal to Tehran to spread its influence and fight its 
foreign wars. Many of these militiamen have American blood on their 
hands as well as their own countrymen's.
  Earlier this year, Iran's proxies in Iraq seized more seats in Iraq's 
parliament and used violence to crush anti-Iranian protests.
  This legislation codifies crucial authorities to target Iran's 
destabilizing activity.

                              {time}  1730

  The bill also includes parts of my Iranian Proxies Terrorist 
Sanctions bill, which calls for the designation of two of the deadliest 
Iraqi militia groups backed by Iran: AAH and HHN.
  These killers have attacked Americans, including firing rockets at 
U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq as recently as this past August.
  They have participated in Bashar al-Assad's slaughter of the Syrian 
people and expressed a desire to attack Israel. War is in the mind of 
the Ayatollah.
  We must battle Iran in the arenas it hopes to control. Iraq is one of 
those key arenas.
  This legislation is a step towards confronting Iran's conquest of the 
Middle East.

[[Page H9597]]

  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this important 
legislation and for the Senate to quickly bring it to the floor to help 
stop Iran, the world's number one state sponsor of terror, from 
spreading its violent hate.
  And that is just the way it is, Madam Speaker.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, it seems like we are playing revolving or musical 
chairs, but it is so good, because I get to see all my friends from 
different angles.
  Madam Speaker, Iraq is at a crossroads. And as someone who wants to 
see Iraq succeed in promoting pluralism and tolerance, I support this 
legislation because it will help Iraqis build a better future.
  This bill makes it clear that the United States will not side with 
those who continue to foment sectarian strife. No matter where you are 
from, if you undermine the democratic process in Iraq, if you threaten 
peace and stability there, if you prevent the delivery of humanitarian 
assistance to the Iraqi people, you will be penalized. That is why this 
bill is so important.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 4591 and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for 
their bipartisan work on this important legislation. This measure will 
send a clear message to the Iraqi people that the U.S. supports them in 
their quest for peace and stability and democracy.
  Still recovering from the atrocities and desolation left by ISIS, the 
Iraqi people deserve a chance to establish a stable democracy free of 
Iranian meddling.
  To be clear, these Iranian-backed militias are not just a threat to 
the Iraqi people. These same militias have launched mortars at the U.S. 
Embassy in Baghdad and continue to threaten Israel. It is well past the 
time that these militias face justice and accountability for their war 
crimes.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4591, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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