[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7198-H7202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PALESTINIAN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM SUPPORT PREVENTION ACT OF 2019

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1850) to impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for 
Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1850

       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 ``Palestinian International 
     Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It shall be the policy of the United States--
       (1) to prevent Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any 
     affiliate or successor thereof from accessing its 
     international support networks; and
       (2) to oppose Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any 
     affiliate or successor thereof from attempting to use goods, 
     including medicine and dual use items, to smuggle weapons and 
     other materials to further acts of terrorism.

     SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN 
                   PERSONS AND AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF 
                   FOREIGN STATES SUPPORTING HAMAS, THE 
                   PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR 
                   SUCCESSOR THEREOF.

       (a) Identification.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for a 
     period not to exceed 3 years, the President shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
     identifies each foreign person or agency or instrumentality 
     of a foreign state that the President determines--
       (A) knowingly assists in, sponsors, or provides significant 
     financial or material support for, or financial or other 
     services to or in support of, the terrorist activities of any 
     person described in paragraph (2); or
       (B) directly or indirectly, knowingly and materially 
     engaged in a significant transaction with any person 
     described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Person described.--A person described in this paragraph 
     is a foreign person that the President determines--
       (A) is a senior member of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic 
     Jihad, or any affiliate or successor thereof;
       (B) is a senior member of a foreign terrorist organization 
     designated pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189) whose members directly or 
     indirectly support the terrorist activities of Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof by knowingly engaging in a significant transaction 
     with, or providing financial or material support for Hamas, 
     the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof, or any person described in subparagraph (A); or
       (C) directly or indirectly, supports the terrorist 
     activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any 
     affiliate or successor thereof by knowingly and materially 
     assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial or material 
     support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Hamas, 
     the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof, or any person described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
       (3) Form of report.--Each report required under paragraph 
     (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain 
     a classified annex.
       (4) Exception.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall not be required to 
     identify a foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of 
     a foreign state in a report pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) if--
       (i) the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of a 
     foreign state notifies the

[[Page H7199]]

     United States Government in advance that it proposes to 
     engage in a significant transaction as described in paragraph 
     (1)(B); and
       (ii) the President determines and notifies the appropriate 
     congressional committees in a classified form not less than 
     15 days prior to the foreign person or agency or 
     instrumentality of a foreign state engaging in the 
     significant transaction that the significant transaction is 
     in the national interests of the United States.
       (B) Non-applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
     with respect to--
       (i) an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state which 
     the Secretary of State determines has repeatedly provided 
     support for acts of international terrorism pursuant to 
     section 1754(c) of the Export Reform Control Act of 2018, 
     section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, section 620A of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, or any other provision of 
     law; or
       (ii) any significant transaction described in paragraph 
     (1)(B) that involves, directly or indirectly, a foreign state 
     described in clause (i).
       (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall impose two or more of 
     the sanctions described in paragraph (2) with respect to a 
     foreign person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign 
     state identified pursuant to subsection (a).
       (2) Sanctions described.--The sanctions referred to in 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       (A) The President may direct the Export-Import Bank of the 
     United States not to give approval to the issuance of any 
     guarantee, insurance, extension of credit, or participation 
     in the extension of credit in connection with the export of 
     any goods or services to the foreign person or agency or 
     instrumentality of the foreign state, and the Export-Import 
     Bank of the United States shall comply with any such 
     direction.
       (B) No sales of any defense articles, defense services, or 
     design and construction services under the Arms Export 
     Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) may be made to the 
     foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign 
     state.
       (C) No licenses for export of any item on the United States 
     Munitions List that include the foreign person or agency or 
     instrumentality of the foreign state as a party to the 
     license may be granted.
       (D) No exports may be permitted to the foreign person or 
     agency or instrumentality of the foreign state of any goods 
     or technologies controlled for national security reasons 
     under the Export Administration Regulations, except that such 
     prohibition shall not apply to any transaction subject to the 
     reporting requirements of title V of the National Security 
     Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to congressional 
     oversight of intelligence activities).
       (E) The President shall prohibit any United States 
     financial institution from making loans or providing any 
     credit or financing totaling more than $10,000,000 to the 
     foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign 
     state, except that this subparagraph shall not apply--
       (i) to any transaction subject to the reporting 
     requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 1947 
     (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to congressional oversight 
     of intelligence activities);
       (ii) to the provision of medicines, medical equipment, and 
     humanitarian assistance; or
       (iii) to any credit, credit guarantee, or financial 
     assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture to 
     support the purchase of food or other agricultural 
     commodities.
       (F)(i) The President may exercise all powers granted to the 
     President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
     (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (except that the requirements of 
     section 202 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply) to 
     the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions 
     in all property and interests in property of a foreign person 
     or agency or instrumentality of the foreign state 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.
       (ii) The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) 
     of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers 
     Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person that knowingly 
     violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or 
     causes a violation of regulations promulgated under section 
     6(b) to carry out clause (i) to the same extent that such 
     penalties apply to a person that knowingly commits an 
     unlawful act described in section 206(a) of that Act.
       (iii) 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 clause (i).
       (3) Exception.--The President shall not be required to 
     apply sanctions with respect to a foreign person or an agency 
     or instrumentality of a foreign state identified pursuant to 
     subsection (a) if the President certifies in writing to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that--
       (A) the foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the 
     foreign state--
       (i) is no longer carrying out activities or transactions 
     for which the sanctions were imposed pursuant to this 
     subsection; or
       (ii) has taken and is continuing to take significant 
     verifiable steps toward terminating the activities or 
     transactions for which the sanctions were imposed pursuant to 
     this subsection; and
       (B) the President has received reliable assurances from the 
     foreign person or agency or instrumentality of the foreign 
     state that it will not carry out any activities or 
     transactions for which sanctions may be imposed pursuant to 
     this subsection in the future.
       (c) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case by case 
     basis and for a period of not more than 180 days, a 
     requirement under subsection (b) to impose or maintain 
     sanctions with respect to a foreign person or agency or 
     instrumentality of a foreign state if the President--
       (A) determines that the waiver is in the national security 
     interest of the United States; and
       (B) not less than 30 days before the waiver takes effect, 
     submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the waiver and the justification for the waiver.
       (2) Renewal of waiver.--The President may, on a case by 
     case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for additional 
     periods of not more than 180 days if the President--
       (A) determines that the renewal of the waiver is in the 
     national security interest of the United States; and
       (B) not less than 15 days before the waiver expires, 
     submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the renewal of the waiver and the justification for the 
     renewal of the waiver.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--The authority to impose 
     sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign 
     person or an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state 
     identified pursuant to subsection (a) is in addition to the 
     authority to impose sanctions under any other provision of 
     law with respect to foreign persons or agencies or 
     instrumentalities of foreign states that directly or 
     indirectly support international terrorism.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Foreign state.--The term ``foreign state'' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 1603(a) of title 28, 
     United States Code.
       (2) Agency or instrumentality.--The term ``agency or 
     instrumentality'' has the meaning given such term in section 
     1603(b) of title 28, United States Code.
       (f) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to 
     activities and transactions described in subsection (a) that 
     are carried out on or after such date of enactment.

     SEC. 4. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN 
                   GOVERNMENTS THAT PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR 
                   THE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OF HAMAS, THE 
                   PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR 
                   SUCCESSOR THEREOF.

       (a) Identification.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
     President shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that identifies the following:
       (A) Each government of a foreign country--
       (i) with respect to which the Secretary of State determines 
     has repeatedly provided support for acts of international 
     terrorism pursuant to section 1754(c) of the Export Control 
     Reform Act of 2018, section 40 of the Arms Export Control 
     Act, section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, or 
     any other provision of law; and
       (ii) with respect to which the President determines has 
     provided direct or indirect material support for the 
     terrorist activities of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, 
     or any affiliate or successor thereof.
       (B) Each government of a foreign country that--
       (i) is not identified under subparagraph (A); and
       (ii) the President determines engaged in a significant 
     transaction so as to contribute knowingly and materially to 
     the efforts by the government of a foreign country described 
     in subparagraph (A)(i) to provide direct or indirect material 
     support for the terrorist activities of Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof.
       (2) Form of report.--Each report submitted under paragraph 
     (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a 
     classified annex.
       (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall impose the following 
     sanctions with respect to each government of a foreign 
     country identified pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
     subsection (a)(1):
       (A) The United States Government shall suspend, for a 
     period of one year, United States assistance to the 
     government of the foreign country.
       (B) The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United 
     States Executive Director to each appropriate international 
     financial institution to oppose, and vote against, for a 
     period of one year, the extension by such institution of any 
     loan or financial or technical assistance to the government 
     of the foreign country.
       (C) No item on the United States Munitions List 
     (established pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export 
     Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778)) or the Commerce Control List 
     set forth in Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of title 15, Code 
     of Federal Regulations, may be exported to the government of 
     the foreign country for a period of one year.
       (2) Exceptions.--The President shall not be required to 
     apply sanctions with respect

[[Page H7200]]

     to the government of a foreign country pursuant to paragraph 
     (1)--
       (A) with respect to materials intended to be used by United 
     States military or civilian personnel at military facilities 
     in the country; or
       (B) if the application of such sanctions would prevent the 
     United States from meeting the terms of any status of forces 
     agreement to which the United States is a party.
       (c) Imposition of Additional Sanctions With Respect to 
     Foreign Governments Identified Under Subsection (a)(1)(A).--
     The President shall impose the following additional sanctions 
     with respect to each government of a foreign country 
     identified pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A):
       (1) The President shall, pursuant to such regulations as 
     the President may prescribe, prohibit any transactions in 
     foreign exchange that are subject to the jurisdiction of the 
     United States and in which the government of the foreign 
     country has any interest.
       (2) The President shall, pursuant to such regulations as 
     the President may prescribe, prohibit any transfers of credit 
     or payments between one or more financial institutions or by, 
     through, or to any financial institution, to the extent that 
     such transfers or payments are subject to the jurisdiction of 
     the United States and involve any interest of the government 
     of the foreign country.
       (d) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case by case 
     basis and for a period of not more than 180 days, a 
     requirement under subsection (b) or (c) to impose or maintain 
     sanctions with respect to a foreign government identified 
     pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) if 
     the President--
       (A) determines that the waiver is in the national security 
     interest of the United States; and
       (B) not less than 30 days before the waiver takes effect, 
     submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the waiver and the justification for the waiver.
       (2) Renewal of waiver.--The President may, on a case by 
     case basis, renew a waiver under paragraph (1) for additional 
     periods of not more than 180 days if the President--
       (A) determines that the renewal of the waiver is in the 
     national security interest of the United States; and
       (B) not less than 15 days before the waiver expires, 
     submits to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
     on the renewal of the waiver and the justification for the 
     renewal of the waiver.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--The authority to impose 
     sanctions under subsection (b) or (c) with respect to each 
     government of a foreign country identified pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(1) is in addition 
     to the authority to impose sanctions under any other 
     provision of law with respect to governments of foreign 
     countries that provide material support to foreign terrorist 
     organizations designated pursuant to section 219 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
       (f) Termination.--The President may terminate any sanctions 
     imposed with respect to the government of a foreign country 
     pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) if the President determines 
     and notifies the appropriate congressional committees that 
     the government of the foreign country is no longer carrying 
     out activities or transactions for which the sanctions were 
     imposed and has provided assurances to the United States 
     Government that it will not carry out the activities or 
     transactions in the future.
       (g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to 
     activities and transactions described in subparagraph (A) or 
     (B) of subsection (a)(1) that are carried out on or after 
     such date of enactment.

     SEC. 5. EXEMPTIONS FROM SANCTIONS UNDER SECTIONS 3 AND 4 
                   RELATING TO PROVISION OF HUMANITARIAN 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Sanctions Under Section 3.--The following activities 
     shall be exempt from sanctions under section 3:
       (1) The conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the 
     sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical 
     devices to a foreign person described in section 3(a)(2).
       (2) The provision of humanitarian assistance to a foreign 
     person described in section 3(a)(2), including engaging in a 
     financial transaction relating to humanitarian assistance or 
     for humanitarian purposes or transporting goods or services 
     that are necessary to carry out operations relating to 
     humanitarian assistance or humanitarian purposes.
       (b) Sanctions Under Section 4.--The following activities 
     shall be exempt from sanctions under section 4:
       (1) The conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the 
     sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical 
     devices to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any 
     affiliate or successor thereof described in section 4(a)(1).
       (2) The provision of humanitarian assistance to Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof described in section 4(a)(1), including engaging in a 
     financial transaction relating to humanitarian assistance or 
     for humanitarian purposes or transporting goods or services 
     that are necessary to carry out operations relating to 
     humanitarian assistance or humanitarian purposes.

     SEC. 6. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO DISRUPT 
                   GLOBAL FUNDRAISING, FINANCING, AND MONEY 
                   LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES OF HAMAS, THE PALESTINIAN 
                   ISLAMIC JIHAD, OR ANY AFFILIATE OR SUCCESSOR 
                   THEREOF.

       (a) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report that includes--
       (A) a list of foreign countries that support Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof, or in which Hamas maintains important portions of 
     its financial networks;
       (B) with respect to each foreign country on the list 
     required by subparagraph (A)--
       (i) an assessment of whether the government of the country 
     is taking adequate measures to freeze the assets of Hamas, 
     the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof within the territory of the country; and
       (ii) in the case of a country the government of which is 
     not taking adequate measures to freeze the assets of Hamas--

       (I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not 
     taking adequate measures to freeze those assets; and
       (II) a description of measures being taken by the United 
     States Government to encourage that government to freeze 
     those assets;

       (C) a list of foreign countries in which Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof, conducts significant fundraising, financing, or 
     money laundering activities;
       (D) with respect to each foreign country on the list 
     required by subparagraph (C)--
       (i) an assessment of whether the government of the country 
     is taking adequate measures to disrupt the fundraising, 
     financing, or money laundering activities of Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof within the territory of the country; and
       (ii) in the case of a country the government of which is 
     not taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities--

       (I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not 
     taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities; and
       (II) a description of measures being taken by the United 
     States Government to encourage that government to improve 
     measures to disrupt those activities; and

       (E) a list of foreign countries from which Hamas, the 
     Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any affiliate or successor 
     thereof, acquires surveillance equipment, electronic 
     monitoring equipment, or other means to inhibit communication 
     or political expression in Gaza.
       (2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form to the greatest extent 
     possible, and may contain a classified annex.
       (b) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for 
     a period not to exceed 3 years, the Secretary of State, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of other applicable 
     Federal departments and agencies (or their designees) shall 
     provide to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     briefing on the disposition of the assets and activities of 
     Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any successor or 
     affiliate thereof related to fundraising, financing, and 
     money laundering worldwide.
       (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Financial Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee 
     on Intelligence of the Senate.

     SEC. 7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed to apply to the authorized intelligence activities 
     of the United States.
       (b) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall, not later 
     than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     promulgate regulations as are necessary for the 
     implementation of this Act.
       (c) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--
       (1) In general.--The authorities and requirements to impose 
     sanctions authorized under this Act shall not include the 
     authority or requirement to impose sanctions on the 
     importation of goods.
       (2) Good defined.--In this subsection, the term ``good'' 
     means any article, natural or man-made substance, material, 
     supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test 
     equipment, and excluding technical data.
       (d) Termination.--This Act shall terminate beginning--
       (1) 30 days after the date on which the President certifies 
     to the appropriate congressional committees that Hamas and 
     the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any successor or affiliate 
     thereof--
       (A) are no longer designated as a foreign terrorist 
     organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);
       (B) are no longer subject to sanctions pursuant to--
       (i) Executive Order 12947 (January 23, 1995; relating to 
     prohibiting transactions with terrorists who threaten to 
     disrupt the Middle East peace process); and
       (ii) Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 2001; relating to 
     blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons 
     who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); and

[[Page H7201]]

       (C) meet the criteria described in paragraphs (1) through 
     (4) of section 9 of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 
     2006 (22 U.S.C. 2378b note); or
       (2) 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,

     whichever occurs earlier.

     SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

       Except as otherwise provided, in this Act:
       (1) Admitted.--The term ``admitted'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101(a)(13)(A) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(13)(A)).
       (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
       (3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means--
       (A) an individual who is not a United States person; or
       (B) a corporation, partnership, or other nongovernmental 
     entity which is not a United States person.
       (4) Material support.--The term ``material support'' has 
     the meaning given the term ``material support or resources'' 
     in section 2339A of title 18, United States Code.
       (5) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or 
     entity.
       (6) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' means--
       (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted 
     for permanent residence to the United States; or
       (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States 
     or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a 
     foreign branch of such an entity.

     SEC. 9. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ENGEL. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 
legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include in the Record extraneous material on H.R. 1850.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking Mr. Mast of Florida and Mr. 
Gottheimer of New Jersey for their hard work on this legislation.
  The United States designated both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad 
as foreign terrorist organizations more than 20 years ago. It is easy 
to see why: Hamas is responsible for the deaths of more than 400 
Israelis and at least 25 American citizens. As recently as May of this 
year, the group fired hundreds of rockets from Gaza into southern 
Israel, including at Israeli civilian areas in Tel Aviv. And 
Palestinian Islamic Jihad is taking credit for a number of terrorist 
attacks in Israel, including an attack that killed a New Jersey 
American student in 1995.
  Yet both groups, and particularly Hamas, still get cash from abroad. 
These funds are used to build tunnels into Israel and launch rockets at 
civilian populations. It is simply disgusting.
  No one benefits from terrorism, Mr. Speaker: not Israelis, who just 
want to live in peace and security; not Palestinians, who want a state 
of their own but are exploited by these terrorists. A Palestinian state 
will never be built on the backs of terrorism.
  Israel has the right to defend itself. The United States will 
continue to support that. In the meantime, we must do everything we can 
to prevent the loss of civilian life. That starts with cutting off the 
money to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
  This bill would help do just that. It would impose new sanctions on 
those who support Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the deep pockets 
that are enabling these groups to wage their campaigns of violence.
  Of course, we don't want to punish innocent civilians, so this 
measure includes an important exception for humanitarian and medical 
assistance. This bill is designed to ensure that people in Gaza get 
what they need and that Hamas does not.
  It is a good, straightforward piece of legislation. I am glad the 
House is considering it today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                    Washington, DC, July 22, 2019.
     Hon. Eliot Engel,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 1850, the 
     ``Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act 
     of 2019.'' In order to permit the H.R. 1850 to proceed 
     expeditiously to the House Floor, I agree to forgo formal 
     consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to 
     forego formal consideration of H.R. 1850 with our mutual 
     understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of H.R. 
     1850 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and 
     that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and 
     involved as this or similar legislation moves forward. 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 request 
     your support for any such request.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding, and I would ask that a copy of 
     our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during Floor consideration of H.R. 1850.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                    Washington, DC, July 22, 2019.
     Hon. Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Waters: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     1850, Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention 
     Act of 2019. I appreciate your willingness to work 
     cooperatively on this bill.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services under 
     House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on 
     H.R. 1850 to expedite floor consideration. I further 
     acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect 
     to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim 
     over the matters contained in the measure that fall within 
     your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of 
     Committee on Financial Services conferees during any House-
     Senate conference convened on this legislation.
       Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the resolution. I appreciate your 
     cooperation and look forward to continuing to work with you 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Eliot L. Engel,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1850, the Palestinian 
International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019.
  In so doing, I first want to note Congressman Brian Mast's great 
personal sacrifice in the war against terror and how inspirational it 
is for each and every one of us to see him raise his voice time and 
again in this great battle of our age.
  I also want to thank my good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer) 
for his lead cosponsorship of this legislation.
  H.R. 1850 would require the President to report to Congress on those 
who knowingly provide financial and material support to terror groups 
such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and then apply sanctions. 
These groups in particular have vowed to wipe out our ally Israel, and 
their support of terror is well known.
  Beyond that, the legislation would require a listing of foreign 
countries where Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad engage in 
fundraising, financing, or money laundering, as well as list those 
countries which fail to take adequate measures to freeze the assets of 
these known terror groups.
  Mr. Speaker, Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, has 
killed over 400 Israelis and 25 Americans, rules the Gaza Strip with an 
iron fist, and uses its proximity to threaten Israel with impunity. As 
a result, the Israelis live in constant fear of Hamas rockets, tunnels, 
and other means of bringing violence to Israeli citizens.
  Earlier this year, in a single weekend, Hamas fired over 600 rockets 
into Israel, killing four civilians, including an American.

[[Page H7202]]

  As part of our close partnership with Israel, the United States has 
long sought to help Israel counter that threat. We have worked together 
on development of the Iron Dome aerial defense system. We continue to 
work together on counter-tunnelling technology.
  And again, now, with this bill, we will help Israel to counter Hamas 
and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad by denying these groups the use of 
funds for their terror operations.
  For over a decade, Mr. Speaker, the executive branch, across multiple 
administrations, has sanctioned many individuals as well as a select 
number of foreign entities that are associated with Hamas, all under 
the general authority of broad executive order.
  This bill will codify and standardize those sanctions in statute and 
require the administration to comprehensively assess whether other 
supporters of Hamas should be sanctioned who have thus far remained 
unaffected by their support of this terrorist group.
  The bill also requires the President to report on whether foreign 
governments are supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
  Mr. Speaker, we know well that Iran is the world's leading state 
sponsor of terrorism, and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are 
among Iran's many terrorist beneficiaries. In fact, it was reported 
just a few days ago a senior Hamas delegation was in Tehran.
  This legislation will ensure that the Iranian regime is held to 
account for its maligned activity undermining peace and security in the 
Middle East. Bahrain's Foreign Minister said, last week, were it not 
for Iran's support for Hamas, there would be a better chance of 
achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
  The goal of this legislation is to cut off Iran's support for 
terrorism and, therefore, make peace more probable.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).
  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1850, 
the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act, 
bipartisan legislation that I was proud to introduce with my good 
friend and Republican colleague, Congressman Brian Mast from Florida.
  I also thank my good friend, Mr. Smith from New Jersey, for his 
leadership.
  I want to thank House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel 
and Ranking Member  Mike McCaul, who were original cosponsors of our 
legislation, for their support and leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, Hamas is a heinous terrorist group responsible for the 
murders of innocent American and Israeli citizens, which has been 
designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department 
since 1997. It is well known for firing rockets and digging terror 
tunnels into Israel and using Gazans, including women and children, as 
human shields. In fact, in May, terrorist groups like Hamas and PIJ in 
Gaza fired more than 600 rockets at Israel in just 36 hours.
  It is critical that the United States and our allies continue to 
isolate Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad by cutting them off at the 
source, including Iran.
  As the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime 
provides more than $70 million annually to the terrorist group Hamas in 
Gaza.

                              {time}  1645

  Just yesterday, Iran's supreme leader met with the political deputy 
chief of Hamas and renewed Iran's commitment to supporting this 
terrorist organization in its armed struggle against Israel.
  Iran is also a principal funder of PIJ, helping the group amass a 
stockpile of more than 8,000 rockets aimed at Israel, an arsenal even 
larger than that of Hamas.
  PIJ has also claimed credit for multiple terrorist attacks in Israel, 
including a gruesome suicide bus bombing in April 1995 that killed New 
Jersey student Alisa Flatow, a graduate of the Frisch School in my 
district in Paramus. And I will say forever that her memory should 
never be forgotten.
  H.R. 1850 would require the President to submit to Congress an annual 
report for the next 3 years identifying foreign entities who assist 
Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or an affiliate or successor, and 
impose at least two or more crippling sanctions.
  This bill would also crack down on foreign terrorist governments that 
support these groups, by suspending U.S. foreign aid, making it harder 
for them to receive loans or technical assistance, and tying up their 
credit.
  This bipartisan bill will strengthen existing sanctions to weaken 
these terrorist groups that threaten our ally Israel, undermine peace, 
and further destabilize the Middle East.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join 
me in supporting this critical legislation and in the fight against 
terror.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Schneider).
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for 
allotting me this time, and commend my colleagues, Mr. Gottheimer and 
Mr. Mast, for bringing this bill.
  I rise in support of H.R. 1850 and applaud the House for taking 
action to combat terrorist activity in the Middle East.
  This bill sanctions individuals and foreign governments that 
knowingly and materially assist Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad 
or an affiliate or successor entity.
  These groups have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations 
by the Department of State since 1997. There is no disputing that they 
have and continue to sow instability and terror, including by 
indiscriminately launching countless rockets and mortars at Israel, 
attacks from subterranean tunnels, and even the use of human shields.
  To achieve two states for two peoples living side by side in peace 
and security, we cannot let extremist voices control the narrative and 
we must always confront these terrorist activities.
  But let me be clear: This bill does not target the vast majority of 
Palestinian people who long for peace. Rather, it solely goes after 
Hamas and PIJ and those who assist their terrorist activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for 
purposes of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, let me again thank our ranking member, Mr. McCaul of 
Texas, and our colleagues who worked so hard on this good, bipartisan 
measure. I want to thank Mr. Mast, for whom I have enormous respect, 
and I thank Mr. Smith, who is always there fighting the good fight and 
always consistent in saying what he believes.
  Let me just say, the actions of Hamas, of the Palestinian Islamic 
Jihad, are a constant danger to innocent Israelis and innocent 
Palestinians. They are also a terrible roadblock that stand in the way 
of Israelis and Palestinians ever finding peace.
  These terrorist groups don't want peace. They know that their violent 
tactics will never contribute to a peaceful resolution. They want to 
see Israel wiped off the map, plain and simple.
  We need to crack down on them and we need to crack down on those who 
stand behind them in the shadows quietly fueling their violence that 
they carry out.
  This bill would give us more tools to cut off the flow of resources, 
and that is why it is so important.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to support this bill and I urge all Members 
to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1850, 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.

                          ____________________