[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H10092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IS AMERICA FIRST?

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, following the gruesome murder of journalist 
Jamal Khashoggi ordered by the Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin 
Salman, the world raised its voice in condemnation. Noticeably quiet 
was the leader of the free world, our own President. A closer look at 
President Trump's deeply troubling financial connections and conflicts 
of interest likely explain why.
  In August 2015, the President himself said on the campaign trail: 
``Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from 
me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. . . . I like them very much.''
  That same month, The Trump Organization registered eight separate 
companies to do business in Saudi Arabia.
  Indeed, The Hill newspaper reported that a 5-day stay from the Saudi 
crown prince at the Trump Hotel caused a 13 percent surge in revenue in 
the first quarter of this year. How about that?
  Mr. President, the American people wonder, is it America first, or is 
America for sale to foreign interests?
  Given the President's clear conflicting interests, Congress must 
assert its power to limit the ability of corrupt regimes to influence 
our politics. Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle must reaffirm 
America's values of liberty, justice, and equality, and restore 
America's faith in our politics.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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