[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9848-H9850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  UKRAINIAN ACCOUNTABILITY AND FUNDING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. 
Hill) until 10 p.m.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I, too, thank my friend from Texas for his 
inspirational recitations of these outstanding young people who seek an 
appointment to the military academy. There is no more optimistic and 
positive aspect of being a Member of Congress than making those 
appointments. I thank him for his service.
  I also want to echo our thanks from both sides of the aisle to the 
Chaplain, the Clerk of the House, the Sergeant at Arms, the minority 
and majority cloakrooms, and our brave stenographers who sit here for 
hours taking down every inspirational word. We thank them for their 
service in this Congress.
  Madam Speaker, in October, as the first frost touched Ukraine, 
Vladimir Putin turned 70 years old. That week, Russian chess champion 
and activist Garry Kasparov spoke at Westminster College in Fulton, 
Missouri, the scene of Churchill's famous ``Iron Curtain'' speech. 
Garry Kasparov declared: Thirty years of making concessions that were 
intended to keep the peace have only postponed the war.
  Appeasement, Madam Speaker, never works. Kasparov went on to say: The 
price of stopping a dictator always goes up. It may seem expensive 
today, but it is only going to be more tomorrow.
  It is critically important that we build a consensus to support the 
Ukrainian people and their government in their valiant efforts to 
reject Putin's rapacious invading Army.
  This illegal invasion and Putin's wanton war crimes have been 
rejected by the world. This is evidenced by votes in the General 
Assembly of the United Nations and the ejection of Russia from the U.N. 
Human Rights Council. It is evidenced by Sweden and Finland petitioning 
to join NATO. It has been evidenced by a global coalition of nations 
supporting the Ukrainian people with humanitarian assistance and 
military aid.
  But in order to maintain and enhance that global coalition of 
citizens and their elected representatives, it is critical that we 
provide a great deal more information and oversight to that 
humanitarian and military assistance. Only together can we help Ukraine 
eject the bully and free its people.
  I support the idea of a special inspector general to oversee U.S. 
military and humanitarian assistance, coordinating with the very active 
and existing inspector general programs at the Department of Defense 
and Department of State. This is common sense. American taxpayers need 
to ensure full transparency and accountability for our financial 
support.
  Likewise, in my view, the Biden administration has done a poor job 
explaining to Congress the over 100 billion euros in support of Ukraine 
from all the countries of the world, including the United States. That 
is, they should provide Congress detailed assessments of what funding 
has been provided to Ukraine, both military and humanitarian, from the 
European Commission, individual member states of the European Union, 
and other nations from around the world, such as our great friend and 
ally, Japan.
  It is important for us, in assessing our own contributions to freedom 
in Ukraine, to assess and encourage our friends, allies, and partners 
to do as much as they can, maybe more, and as effectively as possible. 
We are all in the boat pulling mightily in the same direction, but we 
need that detail and transparency.
  Madam Speaker, in that regard, I was reflecting on my prior 
government service as a Treasury Department official during the 
administration of George H. W. Bush.
  On August 1, 1990, Iraq was invaded by Kuwait and within 12 hours was 
in full control of that country.
  President Bush denounced the invasion and stated clear and effective 
principles: First, to seek the immediate, unconditional, and complete 
withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait; next, to restore Kuwait's 
legitimate government; and, finally, to remain committed to the 
security and stability of the Persian Gulf region.
  Backed by a Security Council resolution at the U.N., the Bush 
administration set about to carry out those objectives.
  It is important to note the extraordinary leadership of then 
Secretary of State Jim Baker, Secretary of Treasury Nick Brady, Deputy 
Secretary of State Larry Eagleburger, and the Undersecretary of 
Treasury David Mulford. They all worked as a team and built an 
extraordinary coalition to

[[Page H9849]]

raise the financing for this global effort to stop Saddam Hussein and 
his illegal invasion.

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  U.S. forces ultimately deployed over 600,000 military personnel 
alongside more than 200,000 troops from our allies. Secretaries Baker 
and Brady and their teams visited selected countries and developed the 
financial resources to effectively fund Kuwait's liberation. More than 
90 percent, Madam Speaker, of the United States' incremental costs were 
reimbursed by our allies. This work was inspirational then and now.
  I call on Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of the 
Treasury Yellen to craft an active and effective campaign to globally 
bring forward even more diverse, comprehensive financial resources to 
support Ukraine and their valiant fight to inject the invader.
  This campaign will be essential to see the financial burden shared 
widely among all peace-loving countries of the world.


                The Federal Reserve and Price Stability

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as inflation continues to wreak havoc on the 
wallets of our hardworking families, I rise today to urge the Federal 
Reserve to stay the course and win the fight against this insidious 
inflation.
  Our economy is in this troubling situation of coping with a four-
decade high in prices due to three core reasons:
  First, the Biden administration's wasteful spending, pouring an 
avalanche of loose money into an economy struggling with getting folks 
back to work and supply chain woes.
  Madam Speaker, our fiscal 2023 spending is running 25 percent greater 
than just before the pandemic; 25 percent more on an annual basis. If 
you include all President Biden's new spending spree, it is running 
$1.3 trillion higher per year.
  I wish Chairman Powell back in 2021 had agreed with former Treasury 
Secretary Larry Summers and opposed this massive, unfunded fiscal 
stimulus.
  Next, the Biden administration's war on energy and employment has 
made it harder to get people back to work and harder to find and 
produce the badly needed oil and gas, get it out of the ground and on 
its way to heat our homes, fuel our communities, and support our allies 
in Europe.
  Finally, the Federal Reserve itself kept interest rates too low for 
too long while also purchasing trillions of dollars in government 
securities. Now the Fed is left playing catch-up in the hopes of 
beating inflation in the short run without damaging our economy in the 
long run.
  Madam Speaker, I have a better approach. Earlier this year, alongside 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds), my friend and colleague, I 
introduced H.R. 7209, the Price Stability Act. This legislation would 
ensure that our central bank focuses exclusively on its principal 
mandate of price stability.
  This bill repeals the 1970s so-called dual mandate whereby the Fed is 
conflicted, supposedly focused on price stability but also maintaining 
a growing economy. Madam Speaker, the legislative branch and the 
executive branch should have that responsibility for policies that 
promote economic growth and a well-trained workforce with more job 
opportunities. The Fed should focus exclusively on price stability.
  Now, I welcome the Federal Reserve's current efforts to mitigate 
inflation, and I urge Chairman Powell and his colleagues to avoid 
distraction and ensure their efforts are successful. Inflation is a 
thief, and it hurts our hardworking families, our seniors, and those on 
fixed incomes. It is vital that the Federal Reserve focus on containing 
inflation and steer clear of economic policy fads.


              recognizing arkansas governor asa hutchinson

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Governor Asa 
Hutchinson and recognize his accomplishments as the 46th Governor of my 
home State of Arkansas.
  Governor Hutchinson began his career in service when President Ronald 
Reagan appointed him to the position of U.S. attorney for the Western 
District of Arkansas. Afterwards, he went on to serve three successful 
terms in this Chamber, representing the fine citizens of Arkansas' 
Third Congressional District.
  During his third term in Congress, President George W. Bush appointed 
him as Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and later as an 
Under Secretary in the newly created Department of Homeland Security.
  Governor Hutchinson has been instrumental in aiding our families by 
cutting taxes by over $250 million and signing into law legislation 
that exempts the retirement pay of veterans from State income tax.
  Governor Hutchinson has been a great advocate toward enhancing 
computer science education in our State. His leadership led Arkansas to 
be the first State in the Nation to pass legislation requiring every 
public school to teach computer science courses. This has 
further encouraged our students to pursue pathways and become 
innovators.

  He has also served as an advocate for our Little Rock Venture Center, 
entrepreneurship, and enhancing venture and startup ecosystems across 
our State.
  During his time as Governor, he has enhanced Arkansas' reputation as 
a business-friendly State, which has attracted companies to make the 
Natural State their latest location and existing companies to expand 
their business, creating more career opportunities for our citizens.
  Over the past 8 years, the Governor and I have partnered on many 
projects that have benefited the constituents of the Second District of 
Arkansas.
  Governor, I am grateful for your steady hand during the COVID-19 
pandemic and for your dedication to our State. Governor Hutchinson is a 
true public servant who worked every day to make our State a better 
place. Asa, your leadership will be missed, and your hard work not 
forgotten. Martha and I send our very best wishes to you and Susan for 
that next chapter.


          congress must work to limit aggression by countries

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as we enter the final weeks of the 117th 
Congress, it is important that we acknowledge the work that we have 
done as a body to limit the financial capabilities of Russia's illegal 
war in Ukraine.
  Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 6899, the Russia and Belarus SDR 
Exchange Prohibition Act, which passed with bipartisan support in both 
the House and the Senate, and was signed into law by President Biden in 
October.
  This bill closes a loophole around Western sanctions by freezing 
Russia and Belarus out of future International Monetary Fund financing 
by preventing them from using special drawing rights, known as SDRs, to 
fund their nefarious activities: The war in Ukraine.
  We must stay vigilant of the aggressive tendencies of other nations, 
such as Russia and Belarus, and make sure they are not able to pledge 
or transfer, that is, cash in those SDRs to fund their terror.
  It is important that we continue to work together in the new Congress 
to make sure that aggression is not rewarded and that we are working to 
limit the financial capabilities of countries who demonstrate their 
aggression toward another sovereign nation.


                     halting the spread of captagon

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise to applaud the inclusion of the 
CAPTAGON Act in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The 
production and sale of the dangerous narcotic Captagon is being used as 
a major revenue source, fueling the regime and the war machine of 
Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
  It is this illicit activity that has allowed them to ignore U.S. 
sanctions and continue to oppress the people of Syria and export 
terror.
  By using an interagency task force, including the Department of 
Defense and the Drug Enforcement Administration, our CAPTAGON Act will 
design a strategy to be able to disrupt and dismantle the trafficking 
networks that are fueling terror in Syria and across the region.
  While both the State Department and the White House have failed to 
include Syria in their list of major illicit drug-producing countries 
for FY 2023, I applaud this Congress for taking this key step in making 
sure more illegal drugs are not able to make it through Europe, through 
the Middle East, or even into the United States by working toward 
halting the spread of Captagon around the world.

[[Page H9850]]

  


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               Retirement Wishes for Walter Hussman, Jr.

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to recognize the outstanding 
career of Walter Hussman, Jr., the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat-
Gazette.
  Recently, Walter announced that he will retire from the publication 
at the end of 2022.
  Walter's career began with him placing comics in the Camden News for 
25 cents an hour all the way to restructuring the Arkansas Democrat, 
buying the Arkansas Gazette and crafting the State's largest newspaper, 
the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  Over his career as a publisher, he oversaw many changes, including 
bringing the Democrat-Gazette into the digital age, for which he was 
recognized with national attention.
  During his announcement of retirement, Walter shared that it is time 
now for the next generation.
  Walter is an example of the American Dream, how hard work and 
dedication to your craft can lead to a long, prosperous career.
  Congratulations, Mr. Hussman, on your outstanding career, your 
evidence as a mentor and a role model, and I wish you a well-deserved 
retirement.


                 Nigeria Country of Particular Concern

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the President and our 
Secretary of State to rectify their mistake of not designating Nigeria 
as a Country of Particular Concern as it relates to religious liberty.
  Having the ability to practice religion without fear is one of our 
most basic principles needed to create a strong and stable nation.
  Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the President 
is required to review the status of religious freedom in every country 
of the world. Any country that is seen to have consistently and 
violently violating their citizens' religious freedom must be labeled a 
Country of Particular Concern.
  Over the last 2 years, Nigeria is a nation which hits every troubled 
benchmark listed in this act. And yet, Madam Speaker, it has been left 
off the list.
  Over the past 2 years, violence targeted against Christians has 
steadily increased. So labeling Nigeria as a Country of Particular 
Concern is a vital step in working toward stability in Nigeria, better 
partnerships with the United States, and a step toward international 
religious liberty for all.


         Congratulating Leslee Tell--Fulbright Fellowship Award

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leslee Tell, of 
Conway High School, who has recently been awarded a Fulbright 
Fellowship for the spring of 2023.
  Mrs. Tell has taught in Conway schools since 2006 where she 
originally taught students home economics, eventually moving on to her 
current subject, a broader one, family consumer sciences.
  The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program 
offers educators the opportunity to teach abroad for a semester. In 
just a few months, Mrs. Tell will be on her way to Vietnam where she 
will be teaching home economics at a local public high school.
  I visited with Leslee and her colleagues, and she is so excited about 
this opportunity, not only the impact on her but her impact on those 
students. I look forward to learning about her journey, the positive 
impact that she will make and what she learns from those kids in her 
class.
  Congratulations, Leslee. We look forward to following your time in 
Vietnam and sharing your success.


                          Crisis at the Border

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as we end this calendar year, I rise once 
again to bring attention to the crisis at our southwest border.
  In 2022, over 2 million migrants were encountered at our southwest 
border; the highest number in American history.
  Just 2 months ago, there were over 230,000 migrant encounters at our 
border. On top of this number, it is estimated that roughly 64,000 
illegal immigrants evaded apprehension in October, and 70,000 evaded in 
November.
  For over a year and a half now, there have been over 150,000 illegal 
border crossings each month. Those numbers are higher than ever.
  Madam Speaker, 98 individuals on the Terrorist Screening Database 
were apprehended at the southern border; more than the last 5 years 
combined.
  Over the last 2 years, the Biden administration has repeatedly 
repealed effective Trump-era policies that kept our border and our 
Nation more secure. Despite claims from Secretary Mayorkas saying 
otherwise, the Biden administration does not have operational control 
over our border.
  During a recent visit to Arizona, President Biden claimed that there 
were ``more important'' things to do than visit the southern border.
  Madam Speaker, the President is in Arizona. What is more important 
than a morale-boosting visit to our men and women at Customs and Border 
Patrol?
  What is more important than keeping our border secure?
  Well, apparently, the President's 49 trips to Delaware, or maybe the 
President's 8 trips to go get ice cream were more important.
  Madam Speaker, I urge this President to take a trip to our southwest 
border, see for himself, meet with our agents working on the border, 
and see the reality of the crisis that his administration has created.


                    Opioid Crisis Impacting America

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the opioid crisis 
impacting all Americans. Opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, are 
flooding across our open borders and sweeping across our Nation and 
into every town and city.
  In fiscal year 2022, 14,700 pounds of illicit fentanyl were 
confiscated at our southern border. How much came across that wasn't 
confiscated?
  Over 75,000 Americans lost their lives last year to opioid overdoses, 
many of them accidental. To help combat this, I introduced the 
Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act this year, alongside my 
friend and colleague, Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan.
  This legislation was inspired by my home State of Arkansas, which 
currently encourages prescribers of opioids to also co-prescribe an 
opioid overdose reversal medication, such as naloxone.
  This summer, that legislation passed the House in a bipartisan mental 
health package.
  Madam Speaker, I am hopeful my colleagues in the Senate will work to 
move this valuable piece of legislation forward because the data is 
clear--co-prescribing helps save lives.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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