[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMEMBERING THE SAUDI ATTACK ON NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA
(Mr. GAETZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago today, a Saudi Air Force officer
with ties to al-Qaida attacked Naval Air Station Pensacola resulting in
the deaths of Ensign Joshua Kaleb, Airman Apprentice Cameron Walters,
and Airman Mohammed Haitham; this also included the injury of eight
others, including brave sheriff's deputies and sailors.
Saudi Arabia had the responsibility to screen and monitor their
officers, and they failed. The family members who lost their loved ones
live with this pain every day, and the Saudi Government's initial
promise made directly to me that they would compensate the grieving
families has resulted in nothing.
For this reason, I am introducing the Saudi Arabia December 6, 2019,
Anti-Terror and Accountability Act.
This bill would prohibit the DOD from funding any Saudi-led proxy
wars and would end the export of weapons and logistical services to
Saudi Arabia. This legislation would halt the military officer exchange
programs with Saudi Arabia. It would also set aside $10 million within
the state-sponsored terrorism fund so that the victims would be able to
be compensated.
The legislation is budget neutral as it draws from a reallocation
from funds that would otherwise go to a war in Ukraine.
It is time that we demonstrate national solidarity on the anniversary
of this terrorist attack. We should send Saudi Arabia a message, not
more weapons.
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