[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 67 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1939-H1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PROTECTION OF SAUDI DISSIDENTS ACT OF 2021

  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1392) to protect Saudi dissidents in the United States, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1392

       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 ``Protection of Saudi 
     Dissidents Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Jamal Khashoggi, a United States resident, Saudi 
     journalist, and Washington Post columnist, was killed and 
     dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on 
     October 2, 2018.
       (2) At the time of his murder, Khashoggi was living in 
     Virginia under an ``O'' visa and was in the process of 
     applying for a permanent residency.
       (3) A report by the Office of the Director of National 
     Intelligence (ODNI) found that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince 
     Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey 
     to capture or kill Khashoggi.
       (4) The assessment of the ODNI was based on ``the Crown 
     Prince's control of decisionmaking in the Kingdom, the direct 
     involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin 
     Salman's protective detail in the operation, and the Crown 
     Prince's support for using violent measures to silence 
     dissidents abroad''.
       (5) The report also reiterates that ``the Crown Prince has 
     had absolute control of the Kingdom's security and 
     intelligence organizations'' since 2017.

     SEC. 3. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF DEFENSE ARTICLES AND 
                   SERVICES, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, AND 
                   MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT TO SAUDI ARABIA.

       (a) Initial Period.--During the 120-day period beginning on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the President may not 
     sell, authorize a license for the export of, or otherwise 
     transfer any defense articles or defense services, design and 
     construction services, or major defense equipment under the 
     Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) to an 
     intelligence, internal security, or law enforcement agency or 
     instrumentality of the Government of Saudi Arabia, or to any 
     person acting as an agent of or on behalf of such agency or 
     instrumentality.
       (b) Subsequent Periods.--

[[Page H1940]]

       (1) In general.--During the 120-day period beginning after 
     the end of the 120-day period described in subsection (a), 
     and each 120-day period thereafter, the President may not 
     sell, authorize a license for the export of, or otherwise 
     transfer any defense articles or services, design and 
     construction services, or major defense equipment under the 
     Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), regardless 
     of the amount of such articles, services, or equipment, to an 
     intelligence, internal security, or law enforcement agency or 
     instrumentality of the Government of Saudi Arabia, or to any 
     person acting as an agent of or on behalf of such agency or 
     instrumentality, unless the President has submitted to the 
     chairman and ranking member of the appropriate congressional 
     committees a certification described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Certification.--A certification described in this 
     paragraph is a certification that contains a determination of 
     the President that, during the 120-day period preceding the 
     date of submission of the certification, the United States 
     Government has not determined that the Government of Saudi 
     Arabia has conducted any of the following activities:
       (A) Forced repatriation, intimidation, or killing of 
     dissidents in other countries.
       (B) The unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of United 
     States citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent 
     residence or the prohibition on these individuals and their 
     family members from exiting Saudi Arabia.
       (C) Torture of detainees in the custody of the Government 
     of Saudi Arabia.
       (c) Exception.--The restrictions in this section shall not 
     apply with respect to the sale, authorization of a license 
     for export, or transfer of any defense articles or services, 
     design and construction services, or major defense equipment 
     under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) 
     for use in--
       (1) the defense of the territory of Saudi Arabia from 
     external threats; or
       (2) the defense of United States military or diplomatic 
     personnel or United States facilities located in Saudi 
     Arabia.
       (d) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The President may waive the restrictions 
     in this section if the President submits to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report not later than 15 days 
     before the granting of such waiver that contains--
       (A) a determination of the President that such a waiver is 
     in the vital national security interests of the United 
     States; and
       (B) a detailed justification for the use of such waiver and 
     the reasons why the restrictions in this section cannot be 
     met.
       (2) Form.--The report required by this subsection shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (e) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date that 
     is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (f) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the Senate.

     SEC. 4. REPORT ON CONSISTENT PATTERN OF ACTS OF INTIMIDATION 
                   OR HARASSMENT DIRECTED AGAINST INDIVIDUALS IN 
                   THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 
     2756) states that ``no transfers or letters of offer may be 
     issued, no credits or guarantees may be extended, and no 
     export licenses may be issued under this Act with respect to 
     any country determined by the President to be engaged in a 
     consistent pattern of acts of intimidation or harassment 
     directed against individuals in the United States''.
       (2) Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act further 
     requires the President to report any such determination 
     promptly to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
     and to the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
     the Senate.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report on--
       (1) whether any official of the Government of Saudi Arabia 
     engaged in a consistent pattern of acts of intimidation or 
     harassment directed against Jamal Khashoggi or any individual 
     in the United States; and
       (2) whether any United States-origin defense articles were 
     used in the activities described in paragraph (1).
       (c) Form.--The report required by 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 Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

     SEC. 5. REPORT AND CERTIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO SAUDI 
                   DIPLOMATS AND DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES IN THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report covering the 
     three-year period preceding such date of enactment regarding 
     whether and to what extent covered persons used diplomatic 
     credentials, visas, or covered facilities to facilitate 
     monitoring, tracking, surveillance, or harassment of, or harm 
     to, other nationals of Saudi Arabia living in the United 
     States.
       (b) Certification.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and each 120-day period 
     thereafter, the President shall, if the President determines 
     that such is the case, submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a certification that the United 
     States Government has not determined covered persons to be 
     using diplomatic credentials, visas, or covered facilities to 
     facilitate serious harassment of, or harm to, other nationals 
     of Saudi Arabia living in the United States during the time 
     period covered by each such certification.
       (2) Failure to submit certification.--If the President does 
     not submit a certification under paragraph (1), the President 
     shall--
       (A) close one or more covered facilities for such period of 
     time until the President does submit such a certification; 
     and
       (B) submit to the appropriate congressional committee a 
     report that contains--
       (i) a detailed explanation of why the President is unable 
     to make such a certification;
       (ii) a list and summary of engagements of the United States 
     Government with the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding the 
     use of diplomatic credentials, visas, or covered facilities 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (iii) a description of actions the United States Government 
     has taken or intends to take in response to the use of 
     diplomatic credentials, visas, or covered facilities 
     described in paragraph (1).
       (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) and the 
     certification and report required by subsection (b) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (d) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The President may waive the restrictions 
     in this section if the President submits to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report not later than 15 days 
     before the granting of such waiver that contains--
       (A) a determination of the President that such a waiver is 
     in the vital national security interests of the United 
     States; and
       (B) a detailed justification for the use of such waiver and 
     the reasons why the restrictions in this section cannot be 
     met.
       (2) Form.--The report required by this subsection shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (e) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date that 
     is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (f) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
       (2) Covered facility.--The term ``covered facility'' means 
     a diplomatic or consular facility of Saudi Arabia in the 
     United States.
       (3) Covered person.--The term ``covered person'' means a 
     national of Saudi Arabia credentialed to a covered facility.

     SEC. 6. REPORT ON THE DUTY TO WARN OBLIGATION OF THE 
                   GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that Intelligence Community 
     Directive 191 provides that--
       (1) when an element of the intelligence community of the 
     United States collects or acquires credible and specific 
     information indicating an impending threat of intentional 
     killing, serious bodily injury, or kidnapping directed at a 
     person, the agency must ``warn the intended victim or those 
     responsible for protecting the intended victim, as 
     appropriate'' unless an applicable waiver of the duty is 
     granted by the appropriate official within the element; and
       (2) when issues arise with respect to whether the threat 
     information rises to the threshold of ``duty to warn'', the 
     directive calls for resolution in favor of warning the 
     intended victim.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, 
     in coordination with the heads of other relevant United 
     States intelligence agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report with respect to--
       (1) whether and how the intelligence community fulfilled 
     its duty to warn Jamal Khashoggi of threats to his life and 
     liberty pursuant to Intelligence Community Directive 191; and
       (2) in the case of the intelligence community not 
     fulfilling its duty to warn as described in paragraph (1), 
     why the intelligence community did not fulfill this duty.
       (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (b) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--

[[Page H1941]]

       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
       (2) Duty to warn.--The term ``duty to warn'' has the 
     meaning given that term in Intelligence Community Directive 
     191, as in effect on July 21, 2015.
       (3) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence 
     community'' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) 
     of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       (4) Relevant united states intelligence agency.--The term 
     ``relevant United States intelligence agency'' means any 
     element of the intelligence community that may have possessed 
     intelligence reporting regarding threats to Jamal Khashoggi.

     SEC. 7. 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. Meeks) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MEEKS. 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.R. 1392, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MEEKS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1392, the Protection 
of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021, an important bill introduced by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
  Though Saudi Arabia has taken steps to reform, its progress has been 
marred by the Saudi Government's brutality against dissidents and most 
notably the detention and abuse of numerous peaceful protesters and the 
brutal killing of Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident, Jamal 
Khashoggi.
  The Biden administration's release of the DNI report was a good step 
toward accountability for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, but further 
steps need to be taken.
  This bill imposes reasonable limits on U.S. weapons transfers to 
Saudi intelligence agencies shown to be involved in the killing of 
Jamal Khashoggi and political repression until such repression and 
abuse of dissidents comes to an end.
  In conclusion, let me be clear, nothing in this legislation would 
deny the Saudi Government the ability to defend its territory against 
attacks from external threats or inhibit its ability to defend the 
United States military, diplomatic personnel, or facilities in the 
kingdom.
  It is important that the United States stands clear on these matters, 
speaking loudly in defense of human rights and taking action when they 
are grossly violated.
  I ask the support of all my colleagues to vote for this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                   Washington, DC, April 16, 2021.
     Hon. Adam B. Schiff,
     House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Schiff: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     1392, Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. I 
     appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     legislation.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the House Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence under House Rule X, and that your Committee will 
     forgo action on H.R. 1392 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 bill that fall within 
     your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of 
     House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 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 bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Gregory W. Meeks,
     Chair.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on 
           Intelligence,
                                                   April 19, 2021.
     Hon. Gregory Meeks,
     Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Meeks: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. Certain 
     provisions in the legislation fall within the jurisdiction of 
     the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as set 
     forth in Rule X of the House of Representatives for the 117th 
     Congress.
       In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential 
     referral. By waiving consideration of the H.R. 1392, the 
     Intelligence Committee does not waive any future 
     jurisdictional claim over the subjects contained in the bill 
     which fall within Intelligence's Rule X jurisdiction.
       Please place this letter into the committee report for the 
     Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act and into the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of the measure on the House 
     floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have 
     worked regarding this matter and others between our 
     respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Adam B. Schiff,
                                                         Chairman.
  Mrs. WAGNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Meeks and Representative 
Connolly for working on this compromise text for the Protection of 
Saudi Dissidents Act that strikes an important balance.
  The bill we are voting on today shows that we can strongly advocate 
for human rights in Saudi Arabia and for its nationals abroad without 
leaving Saudi Arabia and Americans in the region vulnerable to threats 
from Iran and other malign actors. This bill shows we can protect our 
values and our security interests at the same time.
  I urge all Members to support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Connolly), distinguished president of the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly, esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, and author of this important bill.
  Mr. CONNOLLY. I thank, again, my good friend Mr. Meeks, the 
distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Mr. McCaul, 
the ranking member; and my good friend from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) for 
their support on this bipartisan effort.
  We cannot sit idly by in this body and watch an American resident, my 
constituent, brutally murdered and dismembered in the consulate of 
Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, Turkey. We cannot allow that to go 
unaddressed. The human rights abuse that represents is all too 
characteristic of the methods used by certain forces in the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia against dissidents.
  America remains the beacon of hope for those who seek freedom, basic 
simple freedoms to express themselves politically, religiously, and to 
be able to assemble peacefully. This bill ends the impunity against 
those voices of dissent. This bill provides that beacon of hope for so 
many who look to this body for protection and safe harbor.
  I urge passage of H.R. 1392, Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act, 
which passed our committee unanimously, with the enlightened leadership 
of our distinguished chairman,   Gregory Meeks, who has always 
committed himself to human rights.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1392, the 
Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021.
  Let me start by thanking my friend and the Chairman of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee, Mr. Gregory Meeks, for his leadership in bringing 
this important bill to the floor.
  In February of this year, more than two years after the cold blooded 
murder of Washington Post journalist, and my constituent, Jamal 
Khashoggi, the Director of National Intelligence released a previously 
classified U.S. intelligence report.
  The report clearly stated: ``We assess that Saudi Arabia's Crown 
Prince Muhammad bin Salman approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to 
capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.''

[[Page H1942]]

  It continued: ``We base this assessment on the Crown Prince's control 
of decision making in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key 
adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman's protective detail in the 
operation, and the Crown Prince's support for using violent measures to 
silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi.''
  Finally, it concluded that ``since 2017, the Crown Prince has had 
absolute control of the Kingdom's security and intelligence 
organizations, making it highly unlikely that Saudi officials would 
have carried out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince's 
authorization.''
  We've always known, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Crown Prince 
Muhammad bin Salman directed the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.
  We also know that this operation is part of a broad and ongoing 
effort to use violence to intimidate and silence dissidents abroad.
  And yet, the previous administration shielded Crown Prince MBS and 
Saudi Arabia from accountability, signaling this kind of abhorrent 
behavior was somehow ok, inviting further atrocities.
  That impunity ends with this bill.
  The Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act will stop the Kingdom and the 
Crown Prince from acting with impunity to commit gross human rights 
abuses like these.
  My bill is targeted and does four specific things:
  One: It limits arms exports to Saudi intelligence, internal security, 
or law enforcement entities if the President finds that Saudi Arabia 
has engaged in the following activities:
  Forced repatriation, intimidation, or killing of dissidents in other 
countries;
  The unjust imprisonment in Saudi Arabia of United States citizens or 
residents or the placing of travel restrictions on them or their family 
members; and
  The torture of detainees in the custody of the Government of Saudi 
Arabia
  Two: It requires the closure of one or more Saudi diplomatic 
facilities if the President finds that Saudi Arabia is using diplomatic 
or consular personnel to harass or harm Saudi nationals in the United 
States.
  Three: It requires a report on whether Saudi Arabia has been engaged 
in a consistent pattern of acts of intimidation or harassment directed 
against individuals in the United States.
  Four: Finally, it requires a report on whether the U.S. intelligence 
community fulfilled its duty to warn Jamal Khashoggi of threats to his 
life.
  These provisions are long overdue.
  This bill comes after years of fighting for the victims of Saudi 
Arabia's war on dissent.
  I have spoken out on behalf of Dr. Saad Aljabri and activist and 
former political prisoner Loujain Al-Hathloul. I am currently fighting 
for my constituents, Salah Al-Haider and Aziza Al-Yousef, as they 
battle political persecution in Saudi Arabia.
  Saudi Arabia will not change their ways unless we act.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in sending a message to human rights 
defenders, dissidents, and journalists worldwide and reaffirm the 
unshakeable American commitment to basic rights and freedoms.
  I ask my colleagues to end the ``two-year pageant of impunity'' by 
finally holding Saudi Arabia accountable for Jamal Khashoggi's brutal 
murder.
  I ask my colleagues to support the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act 
of 2021.
  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, let me just thank again Representative 
Gerry Connolly for this critical bill holding Saudi Arabia accountable 
for its brutal suppression of dissidents.
  Let me also say this helps ensure that the Saudi diplomatic 
facilities are not used as a staging ground for their efforts to 
suppress dissidents.
  It is crucial that the United States stand strongly in defense of 
basic rights and freedom of expression and not allow U.S. weapons or 
support to be used by Saudi Arabia for the purposes of intimidating, 
abusing, or even killing peaceful Saudi dissidents.
  I hope my colleagues will join me. With that, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. MEIJER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1392, the 
Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act. Saudi Arabia is one of our 
strongest partners in the Middle East. That does not mean, however, 
that we should cast a blind eye to the Kingdom's most brutal human 
rights violations, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. 
resident.
  This bill, which passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee with 
unanimous support, would prohibit arms sales to Saudi Arabia's security 
services until the President certifies the Saudi government is not 
conducting flagrant human rights violations such as torture, the 
intimidation and assassination of dissidents, and the unjust 
imprisonment of U.S. citizens.
  America is a beacon throughout the world because of our commitment to 
democratic values and our commitment to human rights. Our actions must 
match our convictions. We can and should leverage our close 
relationship to promote human rights in Saudi Arabia. This bill would 
do exactly that--sending a message to our ally that if it continues to 
engage in such actions, there will be consequences. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1392, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________