[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H590-H594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAN TO FREE EXPRESSION

  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 752) supporting the rights of the people of 
Iran to free expression, condemning the Iranian regime for its 
crackdown on legitimate protests, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 752

       Whereas, on November 15, 2019, popular protests against the 
     Iranian regime began and rapidly spread to at least 100 
     cities throughout the country, in the most significant 
     antigovernment protests in Iran since June 2009;
       Whereas the protests began in response to an announced 
     increase on the price of fuel and protesters have expressed 
     numerous economic grievances, while also calling for the 
     structural reform of the political system and condemning 
     current and former Iranian leaders;
       Whereas reports indicate that Iranian security forces have 
     used lethal force in arresting more than 7,000 people and 
     killed hundreds of people in connection with the protests;
       Whereas reports indicate that Iranian Government 
     authorities have, in many instances, refused to return 
     victims' bodies to their families and that security forces 
     have removed bodies from morgues and transferred them to 
     unknown locations;
       Whereas, on November 16, 2019, Iranian authorities began 
     implementing a near-total shutdown of internet services, 
     stopping nearly all means of online communications for people 
     inside Iran, to preclude the sharing of images and videos of 
     deadly violence being used by security forces;
       Whereas section 103(b)(2)(B) of the Comprehensive Iran 
     Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
     U.S.C. 8512(b)(2)(B)) authorizes licensing services relating 
     to personal communications over the Internet, to improve the 
     ability of the Iranian people to speak freely;
       Whereas General License D-1 authorizes the provision of key 
     communication tools to the Iranian people with the aim of 
     ensuring that the Iranian people can freely access the 
     internet;
       Whereas, on November 16, 2019, Iran's Interior Minister 
     Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that the Iranian regime will no 
     longer show ``tolerance'' and ``self-control'' toward the 
     protesters;
       Whereas, on November 17, 2019, Iranian Supreme Leader 
     Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the demonstrators ``villains'' 
     galvanized by foreign enemies and domestic insurgents and 
     ordered Iranian security services to ``implement their 
     duties'' to end the protests;
       Whereas, on November 18, 2019, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary 
     Guard Corps deployed to the city of Mahshahr and engaged in 
     mass repression, reportedly killing as many as 100 people;
       Whereas several laws provide authorities to designate and 
     sanction elements of the Iranian regime involved in 
     significant corruption or serious human rights abuses, 
     including the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, 
     and Divestment Act of 2010, the Countering America's 
     Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, and the Iran Threat 
     Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012;

[[Page H591]]

       Whereas the Iranian regime was implicated in a March 2018 
     plot in Albania and June 2018 plot in France against Iranian 
     opposition activists;
       Whereas Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its 
     Basij militia have been sanctioned by the United States for 
     planning and carrying out serious human rights abuses against 
     the Iranian people, including for the cruel and prolonged 
     torture of political dissidents;
       Whereas in August 2018 the United States criminally charged 
     two persons for acting as illegal agents of the Government of 
     Iran for having conducted surveillance on Jewish and Israeli 
     facilities and Iranian political dissidents;
       Whereas the regime has routinely violated the human rights 
     of Iranian citizens, including by implementing ongoing, 
     systematic, and serious restrictions of freedom of peaceful 
     assembly and association and freedom of opinion and 
     expression, including the continuing closures of media 
     outlets, arrests of journalists, and the censorship of 
     expression in online forums such as blogs and websites;
       Whereas the Department of State's 2018 Human Rights Report 
     on Iran noted ``severe restrictions on free expression, the 
     press, and the internet, including censorship, site blocking, 
     and criminalization of libel; substantial interference with 
     the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, 
     such as overly restrictive nongovernmental organization (NGO) 
     laws; egregious restrictions of religious freedom; 
     restrictions on political participation; widespread 
     corruption at all levels of government'';
       Whereas, on November 18, 2019, Secretary of State Mike 
     Pompeo stated that, ``The United States is monitoring the 
     ongoing protests in Iran closely. We condemn strongly any 
     acts of violence committed by this regime against the Iranian 
     people and are deeply concerned by reports of several 
     fatalities. . .The Islamic Republic must cease violence 
     against its own people and should immediately restore the 
     ability of all Iranians to access a free and open 
     Internet.'';
       Whereas, on November 22, 2019, the United States imposed 
     sanctions on Iran's Minister of Information and 
     Communications Technology for his role in shutting down 
     internet access in Iran;
       Whereas, on November 18, 2019, the Office of the German 
     Chancellor stated that, ``It is legitimate and deserving of 
     our respect when people courageously air their economic and 
     political grievances, as is currently happening in Iran. The 
     Iranian government should respond to the current protests 
     with a willingness to engage in dialogue. . .We urge the 
     government in Tehran to respect freedom of assembly and 
     expression.'';
       Whereas, on November 20, 2019, the French Foreign Ministry 
     stated that, ``France is following the demonstrations taking 
     place in Iran with concern. It expresses its deep concern at 
     reports that a large number of demonstrators have been killed 
     in the last few days. It reaffirms its attachment to respect 
     for the freedom of expression and to access to means of 
     communication, as well as to the right to demonstrate 
     peacefully. France calls on Iran to comply with its 
     international human rights obligations, in particular the 
     International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.'';
       Whereas, on November 21, 2019, the European Union stated 
     that, ``The protests in several Iranian cities over the past 
     days have, according to reports, led to serious loss of life 
     and left many people injured. We convey our condolences to 
     the families of victims and wish a speedy recovery to those 
     injured. Socio-economic challenges should be addressed 
     through inclusive dialogue and not through the use of 
     violence. We expect Iran's security forces to exercise 
     maximum restraint in handling the protests and for protestors 
     to demonstrate peacefully. Any violence is unacceptable. The 
     rights to freedom of expression and assembly must be 
     guaranteed. We also expect the Iranian authorities to ensure 
     the free flow of information and access to the internet.'';
       Whereas, on November 26, 2019, Secretary of State Michael 
     Pompeo stated, ``The Iranian people are once again on the 
     streets because of the regime's poor economic management. And 
     instead of addressing their grievances, Tehran has responded 
     with violence and blaming those outside of the country.'';
       Whereas, on December 8, 2019, the High Representative of 
     the European Union Josep Borrell Fontelles stated that, ``A 
     growing body of evidence indicates that despite repeated 
     calls for restraint, the Iranian security forces' 
     disproportionate response to recent demonstrations has led to 
     high numbers of deaths and injuries. For the European Union 
     and its Member States, the widespread and disproportionate 
     use of force against nonviolent protestors is 
     unacceptable.'';
       Whereas, on December 8, 2019, the High Representative of 
     the European Union Josep Borrell Fontelles stated that ``A 
     growing body of evidence indicates that despite repeated 
     calls for restraint, the Iranian security forces' 
     disproportionate response to recent demonstrations has led to 
     high numbers of deaths and injuries. For the European Union 
     and its Member States, the widespread and disproportionate 
     use of force against nonviolent protestors is 
     unacceptable.'';
       Whereas Iran is a member of the United Nations, voted for 
     the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is a signatory 
     to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 
     among other international human rights treaties;
       Whereas in violation of these and other international 
     obligations, Iranian regime officials continue to violate the 
     fundamental human rights of the Iranian people;
       Whereas the Iranian regime has a long history of violent 
     repression of dissent, including--
       (1) in 1988, the Iranian regime carrying out the barbaric 
     mass executions of thousands of political prisoners by 
     hanging and firing squad for refusing to renounce their 
     political affiliations and in some cases for possessing 
     political reading material, including prisoners of 
     conscience, teenagers, and pregnant women;
       (2) in 1999, the Iranian regime brutally suppressing a 
     student revolt that was one of the largest mass uprisings up 
     until that point in the country since 1979;
       (3) following voting irregularities that resulted in the 
     2009 election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian 
     regime brutally suppressing peaceful political dissent from 
     wide segments of civil society during the Green Revolution in 
     a cynical attempt to retain its undemocratic grip on power; 
     and
       (4) beginning in December 2017, and continuing for several 
     months after protests erupted in more than 80 cities, the 
     Iranian regime suppressing such protests with repressive 
     force that resulted in at least 25 deaths and 4,000 arrests;
       Whereas, on January 9, 2018, the House of Representatives 
     overwhelmingly passed H. Res. 676, a resolution supporting 
     the rights of the people of Iran to free expression and 
     condemning the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate 
     protests;
       Whereas, on December 5, 2019, the Department of State 
     identified the Great Tehran Penitentiary (Fashafuyeh) and 
     Qarchack Prison as entities responsible for gross violations 
     of internationally recognized human rights in Iran and 
     subject to the imposition of sanctions under section 106 of 
     the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act 
     (22 U.S.C. 9405);
       Whereas, on January 8, 2020, the Iranian military shot down 
     a civilian airliner Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 in a 
     surface-to-air missile strike, killing 176 civilians aboard;
       Whereas for three days, the Iranian military denied that it 
     shot down Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752 before admitting 
     responsibility on January 11, 2020;
       Whereas peaceful protestors amassed throughout Iran on 
     January 11, 2020, and subsequent days, decrying the 
     Government of Iran's downing of the Ukrainian airliner, 
     subsequent campaign of lies and obfuscation, and continued 
     undemocratic practices; and
       Whereas in response to peaceful protests throughout early 
     January 2020, Iranian Government forces fired live rounds and 
     used brutal tactics against civilians in a manner well-
     documented by international human rights organizations, 
     media, and scores of Iranians: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in 
     legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, 
     corrupt regime;
       (2) condemns the Iranian regime's serious human rights 
     abuses against the Iranian people, significant corruption, 
     and destabilizing activities abroad;
       (3) commends the statements of support for the protesters 
     from the executive branch and key allies;
       (4) calls on all democratic governments and institutions to 
     clearly support the Iranian people's right to live in a free 
     society;
       (5) demands that the Iranian regime abide by its 
     international obligations with respect to human rights and 
     civil liberties, including freedoms of assembly, speech, and 
     press;
       (6) urges the Administration to work to convene emergency 
     sessions of the United Nations Security Council and the 
     United Nations Human Rights Council to condemn the ongoing 
     human rights violations perpetrated by the Iranian regime and 
     establish a mechanism by which the Security Council can 
     monitor such violations;
       (7) encourages the Administration to provide assistance to 
     the Iranian people to have free and uninterrupted access to 
     the internet, including by broadening General License D-1;
       (8) calls on companies to reject requests by the regime to 
     cut off the Iranian people from social media and other 
     communications platforms;
       (9) respects the proud history and rich culture of the 
     Iranian nation and fully supports efforts by the people of 
     Iran to promote the establishment of basic freedoms that 
     build the foundation for the emergence of a freely elected, 
     open, and democratic political system;
       (10) supports the right of Iranian dissidents to assemble, 
     without fear of persecution and violence, whether in Iran or 
     internationally; and
       (11) urges the President and the Secretary of State to work 
     with the international community to ensure that violations of 
     human rights are part of all formal and informal multilateral 
     or bilateral discussions with and regarding Iran.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Phillips) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.

[[Page H592]]

  



                             General Leave

  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 752.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, since November, Iranian protesters have flooded the 
streets, demonstrating against corruption, high fuel, and high food 
prices. Protests flared up in recent weeks after the government of Iran 
took responsibility for downing a Ukrainian airliner after, of course, 
initially denying it.
  Peaceful protesters have been met with violence and brutality from 
the Iranian regime. Over 1,500 people have been killed, and thousands 
more injured.
  For decades, this has been the horrifying standard practice of the 
regime, heinous human rights abuses and significant corruption, even 
targeting Iranian dissidents abroad.
  We must send a clear message now to the protesters that we stand with 
them. Today's resolution shows that solidarity; that we stand for the 
rights of the Iranian people to free expression, and we condemn the 
regime for its crimes.
  Today, we urge the President and the Secretary of State to work with 
the international community to ensure that violations of human rights 
are part of all formal and informal, multilateral or bilateral 
discussions with and regarding Iran.
  Sending a strong message of support is important, but the United 
States must do more to help the Iranian protesters. The administration 
should help the Iranian people access free and uninterrupted internet, 
including broadening General License D-1, the Treasury Department's 
license of personal communication devices and software that helps 
Iranians access the free flow of information.
  The administration should also welcome, not deny, Iranian visitors to 
the United States, because giving Iranians an opportunity to experience 
our great country for themselves is the best way to counter anti-
American sentiment and fear.
  There is much that we can do to help the protesters, and we must 
start today with this resolution. I urge all my colleagues to join me 
in passing this great measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Iranian people and our 
condemnation of the Iranian regime's crackdown on legitimate protests.
  I want to first thank Congressman Deutch for bringing this important 
legislation, introducing this resolution. And I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of it.
  Twice in the past 3 months, the Iranian people have bravely raised 
their voices to protest the conduct of the despotic Iranian regime. And 
both times, these peaceful, popular demonstrations have been met with 
utter violence.
  In November, protestors across Iran voiced their anger at an abrupt 
increase in gasoline prices. This soon broadened to voicing their anger 
at the regime as a whole.
  The Islamic Republic of Iran responded with brutal force. Security 
thugs opened fire on unarmed protestors. The regime cut off the 
internet in an attempt to silence the voice of the people and suppress 
the evidence of the security forces' bloodshed.
  Despite the regime's efforts, the world still knows about their 
cruelty. We have all seen the videos of security forces shooting 
innocent people on the streets. The regime killed as many as 1,500 
people, by far the largest and most violent crackdown since the 1979 
revolution.
  Just a few weeks later, the Iranian people were once again furious 
with their government. This time, it was because the regime shot down a 
commercial airliner, killing 176 innocent people, many of whom were 
Iranian. Even worse, the regime did not admit to having done so for 3 
days. They intentionally lied to their own people and to the world.
  Once again, security forces fired on peaceful protestors.
  The broad frustration with this cruel, lying regime is evident. An 
Iranian Olympic medalist announced she was defecting because of 
``hypocrisy, lies, injustice, and flattery.''
  Iran's State TV anchor resigned, saying, ``It was very hard for me to 
believe the killing of my own countrymen. I apologize for lying to you 
on television for the last 13 years.''
  With this resolution, we declare that the House of Representatives 
stands with the people of Iran demanding accountability from their 
leaders.
  I thank the President for loudly and clearly supporting the rights of 
the Iranian people. The President has urged the regime not to use 
violence against their own people. He has also worked to hold the 
Iranian regime accountable for its cruelty.
  The administration has actively sought information about the 
perpetrators of violence through its tip line. Using those tips, the 
administration has sanctioned those with blood on their hands, such as 
the IRGC commander who oversaw a massacre in November, killing as many 
as 148 people. I want to thank the administration for taking concrete 
action to support the people of Iran.
  This resolution is our opportunity in the Congress to show the same 
support. It is an important step, but we can and must do more. Our next 
course of action should be to pass my bill that holds the Iranian 
officials accountable for serious human rights abuses.
  So let's stand together as Americans and keep the process and 
pressure up on this dangerous regime.
  And let me just say, I have talked to many Iranians throughout this 
country, and the people of Iran are watching this Chamber. They are 
watching what we say here. Our voices do matter in Iran and to the 
Iranian people who are in the United States.

  So I want to again thank Congressman Deutch for bringing this 
important resolution that stands up for the people of Iran.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Deutch), the author of this important resolution, and the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and 
International Terrorism.
  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Minnesota for 
yielding.
  I appreciate the kind words of the ranking member of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee, and I appreciate his leadership.
  Special thanks, as well, to the ranking member of the Middle East, 
North Africa, and International Terrorism Subcommittee, Mr. Wilson, for 
his leadership on these issues and his commitment to standing up for 
the Iranian people.
  In mid-November, popular protests against the Iranian regime began 
and rapidly spread to at least 100 cities throughout the country, in 
the most significant anti-government protests in Iran since 2009.
  While protesters took to the streets in response to an increase in 
fuel prices, they also called for structural reform of the Iranian 
political system. They condemned current and former leaders.
  In response, Iranian authorities shut down the internet. Security 
forces used lethal force, killing hundreds of people, marking the 
highest casualty rate of any protest movement in Iran since the Islamic 
revolution 4 decades ago. And they arrested over 7,000 more.
  Protesters returned earlier this month after Iran shot down Ukrainian 
Airlines Flight 752 as it took off from Tehran's International Airport, 
killing all 176 people on board, and then tried to cover it up.
  The Iranians in the streets were frustrated by the regime's lies, 
frustrated by their incompetence, and chanted against the IRGC and 
against the Supreme Leader. As in November, Iranian authorities met 
these protests with unlawful, disproportionate force.
  Congress has long expressed bipartisan support for the human rights 
of the Iranian people, including the rights to peaceably assemble and 
the right to protest.

[[Page H593]]

  Congress has also supported the rights of Iranian dissidents and 
authorized the licensing of communication services to improve the 
ability of Iranian people to speak freely.
  In keeping with that tradition, H. Res. 752 expresses the support of 
the House of Representatives for the rights of the Iranian people to 
free expression and condemns the regime for its crackdown on the 
recent, legitimate, peaceful protests in Iran.
  The resolution condemns the Iranian regime's serious human rights 
abuses, its significant corruption, destabilizing activities abroad, 
and urges the President and the Secretary of State to work with the 
international community to ensure that violations of human rights are 
part of all formal and informal multilateral or bilateral discussions 
regarding Iran.
  I also encourage additional efforts by this House to support the 
people of Iran. These include initiatives proposed by my colleagues, 
like the one by Representative   Tom Malinowski, to end the ban on 
Iranians and other citizens of predominantly-Muslim countries from 
entering the United States. If we truly support the Iranian people, we 
need to allow them to visit so they can experience our vibrant society, 
so they can experience democracy, so that they can see pluralism and 
our great democratic traditions. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to help advance these measures as well.
  I thank my colleagues for their strong support of this resolution 
which demonstrates that Congress stands with the Iranian people and 
supports their right to live in a free society.

                              {time}  1415

  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), the ranking member on the Subcommittee for 
the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the Republican 
leader,  Mike McCaul, for yielding.
  I am pleased to speak in favor of H. Res. 752, which supports the 
rights of the Iranian people to protest without violent consequences 
from the Islamic Republic regime, which I coauthored with my 
appreciative colleague, Chairman Ted Deutch from Florida.
  Last November, thousands of people all over 100 cities of Iran 
demonstrated against the regime's oppressive economic and tyrannical 
other policies. The Islamic Republic responded viciously to these 
peaceful protests. The regime killed over 1,000 people and arrested 
thousands more. We mourn the deaths of these courageous individuals who 
died while advocating for their rights.
  The Iranian people again voiced their anger in January when the 
Islamic Republic lied about shooting down a Ukrainian civilian 
passenger Boeing jet, killing 176 people.
  How did the regime respond to the protests over the death of these 
innocent people? By using more violence against innocent civilians.
  Today, we say to the people of Iran: We respect the importance of 
Persian culture to the world and your right to be heard without fear. 
We support your rights to ask for a better governance. We ask for 
accountability from your government, to ask for a government that puts 
your interests first and does not deceive you with blatant corruption. 
We will not allow you to be overlooked or forgotten, and we will stand 
by you while this regime brutalizes you.
  President Donald Trump has taken a firm stand in support of the 
protestors, saying: ``To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've 
stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my 
administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your 
protests closely and are inspired by your courage.''
  I agree with President Donald Trump, and I am gratified to stand 
today in support of the free expression of the Iranian people. 
President Trump's sanctions deter terrorism and protect American 
families.
  I thank my colleagues for bringing this bipartisan resolution to the 
floor. I look forward to seeing it pass and continuing to work together 
to support the rights of the Iranian people.
  Iranian Americans are extraordinarily successful in America and very 
much appreciated in every State. In my home State of South Carolina, 
Iranian American doctors are vital.
  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ruiz), my friend.
  Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I am proud of the growing Iranian American 
community in my district, California's 36th. I have spoken with members 
of the community, and I have watched the protests in Iran.
  I am increasingly concerned and outraged at what we are witnessing 
from the Iranian regime. The violence, the oppression, the internet 
blackouts, the large-scale incarcerations--these are egregious human 
rights violations.
  Over 7,000 Iranians have been arrested and, tragically, over 1,000 
killed by Iranian security forces since November of last year.
  This shameful use of violence by the state security forces, sweeping 
internet shutoffs, jailing of journalists and protestors, these are 
just the most recent examples of merciless attempts of censorship by a 
regime with a long, abhorrent history of oppression and violence 
against its own people.
  We must support the protestors seeking nothing but their fundamental 
human rights and civil liberties such as the freedom to assemble 
openly, speak freely, and have an open and free press. That is why I 
stand with my Iranian American constituents in support of bipartisan H. 
Res. 752: to support the rights of the people of Iran to free 
expression and to say, forcefully, that we condemn the Iranian regime 
for its violent tactics to oppress its legitimate protestors.
  To the Iranian people seeking freedom, democracy, and human rights: I 
stand with you. The United States Congress stands with you. The 
American people stand with you. We will continue supporting you as you 
fight for your basic rights, freedom, and democracy.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 752 here today.
  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McClintock).
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, in 2016, President Obama sent $1.7 
billion of untraceable cash on shrink-wrapped cargo pallets to the 
regime in Iran. The Iranian expatriates in my district reported that 
immediately following this shameful spectacle, the Iranian Guard 
expanded dramatically and began a brutal round of repression that cost 
thousands of innocent Iranians their lives.
  Thankfully, President Trump has reversed these destructive policies 
of appeasement. The renewal of sanctions against Iran is again bringing 
economic pressure on the regime and causing European nations to 
reconsider their ties with that tyranny.
  Iran is one of the oldest and greatest civilizations in history, yet 
it has been suppressed and plundered by a clique of theocratic thugs 
who comprise the illegitimate Iranian Government.
  This resolution is an important gesture, but it is empty and idle 
without action. We need to support the freedom-fighting organizations 
operating within Iran with the same financial resources that Obama sent 
to their oppressors. I challenge the House majority to do so.
  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I met with a group of Iranian Americans just this last 
weekend, and I talked to them about their friends in Iran who are 
fighting this oppression. I saw the video, the internet feed that 
they are able to get out of country. One of the problems has been they 
shut down the internet. They control the internet in Iran because it 
was built with security in mind, first.

  It is very difficult to get communications both inside and outside of 
Iran, but we are working on those technologies today, Madam Speaker, so 
that these people can communicate with the outside world. They are 
being held hostage themselves by the Ayatollah, who held our Embassy 
officials hostage in 1979. They are listening to our voices here in the 
Congress, and they are shooting out texts and emails, and we are 
finding ways to get them to communicate.
  There are 80 million people in Iran, once a great empire, the Persian 
empire that brought us so many great things; and now, under this 
oppressive theocracy, the majority of these people

[[Page H594]]

do not support their own oppressive, brutal killing regime.
  The Islamic Republic of Iran, in my judgment, their days are limited, 
and it is time for the people of Iran to take back their country. And 
when I say this to the people of Iran, know that the American people 
stand with the people of Iran. Know that this House stands with the 
people of Iran and that this Congress and President stand with the 
people of Iran.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume for the purpose of closing.
  Madam Speaker, Iranian people want the same thing that Americans 
want: peace, opportunity, and security. It is critical that we now 
support the peaceful protestors in Iran today.
  Today's resolution shows that we stand in solidarity with the Iranian 
people in their struggle against the cruelty of their regime, and I 
hope all Members will join me in supporting this important measure.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 752, a 
resolution supporting human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran. 
Today, we send a vital message to the protest movement in Iran that--as 
they face persecution and violence--the House of Representatives stands 
in solidarity with them.
  For decades, the Iranian regime has oppressed dissidents. From the 
1988 massacre to the 2009 protests to today, people who dared to speak 
against the Iranian regime has been subject to torture, arrest, 
disappearance and worse. Iran's prisons are some of the most notorious 
in the world.
  The protests have escalated since the Iranian regime lied to the 
world about their responsibility for shooting down the Ukrainian 
jetliner. It is unfathomable that for three days, the Iranian regime 
sought to hide their culpability.
  The United States must do what we can to help support those who fight 
for human rights and freedom in Iran. This resolution outlines some 
important steps, including expanding internet access for Iranian 
dissidents by easing the restrictions on sharing software and hardware 
for personal communication devices.
  I would also add that if the Trump administration wants to send a 
message of solidarity to the Iranian protest movement, they should 
repeal the ill-conceived Muslim ban, which has prevented Iranians from 
visiting and studying in America.
  The American people have no quarrel with the people of Iran. America 
should welcome those Iranians who want to see America for themselves.
  I'd like to thank Mr. Deutch and Mr. Wilson for spearheading this 
important resolution.
  Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 752, 
which reinforces our nation's support for the rights of the Iranian 
people to have free speech, free association and fair elections. For 
over 40 years the Iranian regime has engaged in terrorism and has been 
a declared enemy of freedom, human rights, and freedom of religion. The 
Iranian regime, a designated state sponsor of terrorism, states its 
antipathy for the United States on a daily basis. The regime has 
engaged in atrocities in Iran and throughout the world.
  Recently President Trump authorized the removal of Iranian terrorist 
Qassem Soleimani. The president had the legal authority to do so under 
the Congressionally enacted AUMF pertaining to Iraq. In the United 
States, expatriates from Iran applauded this as long overdue justice 
for a leading proponent of terror, death and destruction. This action 
should have been taken years ago by the Obama Administration. Instead 
of addressing Iran's terrorist actions, the prior administration gave 
aid and support to the terrorist regime. No doubt some of that aid, 
including billions of dollars, was used to kill innocent people. It 
took the courage of a real leader to be bold and do what needed to be 
done.
  Our country supports the Iranian opposition via the Organization of 
Iranian American Communities. Their fight is our fight. With patience, 
a new day will dawn in Iran and its people will be free again.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 752, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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