[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H886-H890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RESPONDING TO THE EARTHQUAKES IN TURKIYE AND SYRIA ON FEBRUARY 6, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 132) responding to the 
earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 132

       Whereas, on February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake 
     struck central-southern Turkiye, followed by a magnitude 7.5 
     earthquake later the same day, followed by over a thousand 
     aftershocks in Turkiye and northwest Syria;
       Whereas the earthquakes have caused massive death and 
     destruction, killing more than 36,000 people and injuring 
     tens of thousands more in Turkiye and Syria;
       Whereas the United States Agency for International 
     Development and other agencies mobilized Federal agencies and 
     partners to provide life-saving assistance to the people of 
     Turkiye and Syria;
       Whereas dangerous freezing winter weather conditions 
     negatively impacted rescue efforts and put earthquake 
     survivors at further risk after thousands of buildings 
     collapsed into rubble;
       Whereas the Republic of Turkiye is a North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) ally of the United States;
       Whereas prior to the devastating earthquakes, millions of 
     people in Syria were relying on humanitarian assistance, and 
     Turkiye was hosting more than 3,500,000 Syrian refugees;
       Whereas through 12 years of war in Syria, the Assad regime 
     has impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 
     civilians, including those in areas now impacted by the 
     February 6, 2023, earthquakes;

[[Page H887]]

       Whereas the Russian Federation and People's Republic of 
     China have used their veto power at the United Nations 
     Security Council to restrict the number of United Nations-
     authorized border crossings between Turkiye and Syria from 
     four to just one--Bab al-Hawa;
       Whereas although areas outside of the Assad regime's 
     control have been the worst affected by the earthquake, 
     Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stated that any aid to victims 
     must go through the Syrian Government in Damascus;
       Whereas Department of State Spokesman Ned Price has stated 
     it would be ``ironic, if not even counterproductive, for us 
     to reach out to a government that has brutalized its people 
     over the course of a dozen years now'';
       Whereas the Assad regime has shamefully used the earthquake 
     to call for the lifting of United States sanctions, falsely 
     claiming that such sanctions impede the aid response; and
       Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere 
     statistics and has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for 
     countless families: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) mourns the horrific loss of life in Turkiye and Syria 
     caused by the earthquakes in Turkiye on February 6, 2023;
       (2) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the 
     many earthquake victims;
       (3) applauds the heroic work of humanitarian aid and rescue 
     workers on the ground to save lives and provide care for 
     victims, including United States Agency for International 
     Development Urban Search and Rescue teams, the Armed Forces 
     of the United States, including members of such Armed Forces 
     stationed at the Incirlik Air Force base in Turkiye, and the 
     Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White Helmets;
       (4) applauds the response to the earthquake tragedy by the 
     United States Government, other governments, and 
     nongovernmental organizations;
       (5) applauds the civilians in Turkiye and Syria who have 
     selflessly volunteered to assist with response to the 
     devastating aftermath;
       (6) urges the international community to support heroic 
     disaster response efforts in Turkiye and Syria, including 
     those by the Syrian Civil Defense, the White Helmets;
       (7) condemns efforts by the Assad regime to cynically 
     exploit the disaster to evade international pressure and 
     accountability, including by preventing the United Nations 
     from providing assistance through multiple border crossings 
     between Turkiye and Syria;
       (8) calls on the Biden administration to continue to use 
     all diplomatic tools, including through the United Nations 
     Security Council, to open all Turkiye-Syria border crossings 
     for United Nations assistance;
       (9) underscores the need for international assistance to 
     reach northwest Syria to assist with disaster relief;
       (10) calls for an increased oversight mechanism to ensure 
     that United States-funded assistance is not diverted for the 
     benefit of the Assad regime;
       (11) urges the Biden administration to remain committed to 
     the protection of the Syrian people including by implementing 
     the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019; and
       (12) welcomes the Republic of Turkiye's continuing support 
     to Syrian refugees in Turkiye and in northwestern Syria.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Keating) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. 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 this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, America and the world have been shocked by the deadly 
earthquake in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, which killed more than 
50,000 people and injured more than 100,000 people.
  Entire cities and towns near the epicenter in Turkiye have been wiped 
off the map. Five million people are homeless, and over 20 million are 
in need now. We are grateful to see such a generous and compassionate 
American response. Many brave men and women both inside Turkiye, Syria, 
and others from around the globe sprang into action to work 
relentlessly at search and rescue operations and providing relief to 
the people impacted on the ground.
  At Incirlik Air Base, a very strategic American air base in Turkiye, 
125 miles from the earthquake epicenter, the 728th Air Mobility 
Squadron and the 39th Operational Support Squadron have worked quickly 
to coordinate with the United States Agency for International 
Development to deliver aid to those impacted on the ground who are in 
need.
  American families offer sincere sympathies to the families who are 
mourning loved ones and nursing others back to health. The Republic of 
Turkiye for over 70 years has been a valued NATO ally, and as co-chair 
of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish 
Americans, I am particularly supportive of their efforts to meet the 
needs of the impacted earthquake victims.
  Entrepreneurial Turkish-American and Syrian-American communities have 
been mobilized to help, such as Vinnie and Nesli Senturk, owners of 
Hidden Valley Tavern in Sapphire, North Carolina, represented by 
Congressman Chuck Edwards, who are raising funds to help the people in 
Turkiye.
  Syria Civil Defence, better known as the White Helmets, have been 
instrumental in search and rescue efforts, in addition to clearing 
rubble and opening roads to facilitate the distribution of relief aid 
by local nongovernment organizations. Their efforts saved at least 
3,000 lives, despite being left alone and receiving no material 
international support through the critical and crucial first days of 
the response.
  Impressive assistance by Raed Al Saleh and all the other White 
Helmets, which he leads, has been achieved to help the people who are 
so desperately needed to advocate and provide real assistance.
  To make this devastating tragedy worse, Syria's brutal dictator Assad 
is stealing humanitarian aid, and even worse, has continued bombing the 
affected areas at least 10 times since the earthquake. There have 
already been videos of the Assad regime soldiers stealing aid that is 
attempting to reach Syrian communities in need.
  The United Nations even refused to provide critical aid into 
northwest Syria because of war criminal Putin's veto on cross-border 
assistance in the United Nations Security Council after the Assad 
regime initially refused to permit humanitarian aid through northern 
points of entry that are controlled by opposition groups.
  The United Nations should not politicize humanitarian assistance. 
Even further, the U.N. should circumvent the obstructions of Assad and 
war criminal Putin, which denies humanitarian aid to earthquake 
victims. It is significant this resolution calls on President Biden to 
use all diplomatic means to push the U.N. to get aid to those in need.
  Natasha Hall from the Center for Strategic and International Studies 
said it clearly, ``The Syrian Government has perfected the 
politicization and weaponization of humanitarian aid throughout the 
civil war--in some cases it's far more effective than a military 
offensive.''
  Yet, Assad, to add insult to injury, continues to lie and blame U.S. 
sanctions for causing delays in aid. This is simply not true. As this 
resolution makes clear, Mr. Speaker, sanctions on war criminals like 
Assad, which passed on a bipartisan basis, prevent the regime from 
obtaining the resources to further brutalize the people of Syria, and 
do not inhibit humanitarian assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened that there has been a weakening of 
sanctions by the Biden administration on the Assad regime through 
permitting direct transactions with the Assad regime. This will do 
nothing to help with earthquake relief and will only endanger Syrian 
civilians by enriching the regime.
  We are already seeing the result of Biden's weak policy this week 
with Arab countries beginning to normalize relations with the regime 
and ignoring the Caesar Act, which threatened dire consequences for 
normalization. Despite this, let it be known that Congress will 
continue to stand with the Caesar Act on a bipartisan basis and 
strengthen sanctions on Assad and those who engage this barbaric 
regime.
  It is gruesomely clear that there is no solution to the problems in 
Syria so long as the brutal Assad regime remains in power. Terrorism, 
refugees, war crimes, Iranian influence, chemical weapons, 
narcotrafficking, genocide--Assad is the driver of all these. This 
earthquake proves the point yet

[[Page H888]]

again, American families' prayers and sincere condolences go to the 
people of Turkiye and Syria.
  To the brutal Assad regime and its backers, war criminal Putin, and 
the authoritarian Ayatollah in Iran, there will be a message: Your 
diversion of humanitarian aid during an earthquake is despicable. You 
are not fooling anyone with your lies about sanctions. The U.S. 
Congress stands united. We will never normalize with you. We will hold 
all those who attempt to normalize with you accountable. We will not 
stop supporting the people of Syria to have a government they deserve 
based on democracy with rule of law, not authoritarian with rule of 
gun. It is bipartisan in America to support freedom for the people of 
Syria and Iran and victory for the people of Ukraine seeking to defend 
their country from authoritarian governments.
  Mr. Speaker, our prayers go to those affected by the earthquake. God 
bless the people of Turkiye, Syria, and the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
     Hon. Patrick McHenry,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McHenry: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from 
     further consideration of House Resolution 132, related to the 
     recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, so that the 
     resolution may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 132 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate 
     your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward 
     to continuing to work together as this measure moves through 
     the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                                                         Chairman.
                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I am writing concerning H. Res. 132, 
     Responding to the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on 
     February 6, 2023. I agree that the Committee on Financial 
     Services shall be discharged from further consideration of 
     the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House 
     Floor. The Committee takes this action with the mutual 
     understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H. Res. 132 
     at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and 
     that the Committee will be appropriately consulted and 
     involved on this or similar legislation as it moves forward. 
     The Committee also reserves the right to see appointment of 
     an appropriate number of conferees to any conference with the 
     Senate involving this or similar legislation, and we request 
     your support for any such request.
       Finally, as you mentioned in your letter, I ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this bill be included in your 
     Committee's report to accompany the legislation, as well as 
     in the Congressional Record during floor consideration 
     thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Patrick McHenry,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                Committtee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
     Hon. Jim Jordan,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Jordan: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from 
     further consideration of House Resolution 132, related to the 
     recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, so that the 
     resolution may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 132 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate 
     your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward 
     to continuing to work together as this measure moves through 
     the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor in support of my friend, 
Congressman Joe Wilson's resolution, H. Res. 132, responding to the 
earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023.
  This timely and important resolution comes just weeks after multiple 
7.5-plus magnitude earthquakes caused widespread devastation across 
central-southern Turkiye and northern Syria.
  This natural disaster was so powerful that the shaking could be felt 
as far away as Egypt. The numbers are just staggering. Following the 
initial shaking, Turkiye and Syria have borne the brunt of over 1,000 
aftershocks, furthering the massive death and destruction that has 
decimated infrastructure and communities across the region. Even today, 
Mr. Speaker, there was another aftershock with reported loss of death.
  As of February 25, 2023, Reuters estimated that 160,000 buildings 
containing over half a million apartments have collapsed or were 
severely damaged. The earthquake has killed more than 48,000 people and 
injured 118,700 others in Turkiye and Syria combined. Today, the U.N. 
Development Programme estimates that 1.5 million people have been left 
homeless.
  As ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe 
and as an original cosponsor of this resolution, I want to express my 
deepest condolences to the people of Turkiye and Syria who have been so 
deeply impacted by these earthquakes. Tens of thousands have lost their 
lives and even more have been left without a safe place to call home. 
As a result, once vibrant cities and communities across the entire 
region have been shattered and left in ruin.
  In addition, I want to commend the efforts of thousands of 
international humanitarian aid and rescue workers, as well as national 
entities, local organizations, and individuals from across the region 
who have come together to provide lifesaving assistance to those 
impacted by this devastating earthquake.
  During the past few weeks, these aid workers have provided lifesaving 
resources and support, all while working in freezing winter conditions, 
just to get help and relief for this enormous devastation and provide 
the greatest help to the people who need it the most.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud those humanitarian and rescue workers from 
across the United States Government who have joined the international 
community in a global response. In total, as of February 19, 2023, the 
United States has allocated $185 million in humanitarian assistance for 
the earthquake response in Turkiye and Syria.
  As part of its coordinated response, USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian 
Assistance quickly deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, also 
known as a DART, which is working in close coordination with government 
authorities and partners on the ground.
  The DART included USAID-supported search and rescue units have drawn 
domestic voluntary help, as well. It is important to recognize Fairfax 
County, Virginia's, and Los Angeles County, California's, fire 
departments have come to aid and help these people in such great need. 
They provide heroic assistance in working with USAID. USAID has 
deployed a total of 160 urban search and rescue personnel to Turkiye 
who have now returned to the United States. We thank them for 
volunteering and their heroic acts.
  Furthermore, through its implementing partner, the World Food 
Program, as of February 23, USAID had also supported the provision of 
food assistance to 660,000 individuals in Syria and 900,000 earthquake-
affected people in Turkiye. In addition, 840 metric tons of USAID in-
kind relief commodities, including water, hygiene materials, kitchen 
sets, and disaster relief materials were all delivered to support the 
earthquake survivors.
  Finally, the Department of Defense, in coordination with USAID's 
Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, has air-lifted 541,100 pounds of 
critical relief items, including blankets, emergency food commodities, 
generators, space heaters, tents, and winter clothing.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support those efforts and commend President 
Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Administrator Power for their swift 
response to this disaster.

[[Page H889]]

  As the international community has responded, the Assad regime has 
made that effort far more difficult. For example, while the Department 
of the Treasury has taken important steps to clarify existing sanctions 
licenses required to ensure the transfer of vital humanitarian aid to 
the region, the exploitation of this disaster by the Assad regime is 
reprehensible and cynical.
  I wholeheartedly condemn these efforts by the Assad regime, which 
have included preventing the United Nations from providing assistance 
through multiple border crossings between Turkiye and Syria. The people 
of Syria have suffered tremendously under the Assad regime, which since 
2011 has used any means available, including the use of chemical 
weapons, to suppress the voice of the Syrian people.

                                 (1715)

  There is intense need for international assistance in Syria, and I 
support the call in this resolution for the Biden administration to 
continue to use all diplomatic tools, including through the U.N. 
Security Council, to open and keep open all Turkiye-Syria border 
crossings for United Nations assistance.
  Despite barriers from the Assad regime, the United Nations has worked 
tirelessly in coordinating and facilitating life-saving humanitarian 
assistance efforts by providing hot meals, food, tents, clothing, 
medical supplies, and personnel to affected areas. Psychosocial support 
services are also being provided, as well. Child-friendly spaces and 
safe spaces for women to ensure those most vulnerable are cared for are 
also in motion there.
  U.N. programs like the World Food Programme and the U.N. High 
Commission for Refugees have also crossed into Syria at the Bab al-
Salam border crossing to ensure the people of Syria receive the vital 
aid that they need.
  All together, the United Nations has sent health supplies to more 
than 400,000 people impacted by the earthquake and has released $50 
million from its Central Emergency Response fund to jump-start the 
response. The U.N. has also issued a flash appeal to raise all the 
necessary funds to help meet the needs of those affected by these 
earthquakes.
  I, again, thank Congressman Joe Wilson for his efforts on this 
legislation as well as over 35 bipartisan cosponsors. This resolution 
sends a strong message of solidarity from the United States to the 
people of Turkiye and Syria as they begin to cope with the aftermath of 
these devastating earthquakes, and I am proud to join in supporting 
this effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume. It is really refreshing to see Republicans and 
Democrats come together as we assist the people of Turkiye and Syria. 
The comments from Bill Keating are inspiring. I am just so grateful 
that he is one of the first cosponsors of the legislation to show our 
appreciation of the people of Turkiye and Syria. It is particularly 
meaningful to me. The loss of life is inconceivable: 50,000 people 
dead, 100,000 people injured, and 5 million people homeless. Actually, 
in some ways I can identify. The largest earthquake ever recorded on 
the East Coast was in my birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, on 
August 31, 1886. Growing up


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  February 27, 2023, on page H889, in the second column, the 
following appeared: birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, on 
October 31, 1886. Growing up
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: birthplace of 
Charleston, South Carolina, on August 31, 1886. Growing up


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 
  there in Charleston, when I was much younger, people had actually a 
memory of the earthquake. It is something that has been so horrifying, 
        and indeed, we are with the people of Turkiye and Syria.
  It is particularly significant to me where America has such a 
positive role, the thought that Incirlik Air Base is


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  February 27, 2023, on page H889, in the second column, the 
following appeared: It is particularly significant to me where 
America has such a positive role, the thought that an insular care 
base is
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: It is 
particularly significant to me where America has such a positive 
role, the thought that Incirlik Air Base is


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 
125 miles from the epicenter--how close--and it is significant that the 
runways were not affected. So from that, the various American military 
                           units could work.
  We want to give special credit to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron and 
the 39th Operational Support Squadron who have worked so closely with 
USAID to provide the massive amounts of aid for the 20 million people 
who are in need.
  So it is refreshing to see Republicans and Democrats working together 
to see how important it is that the people of Turkiye understand as a 
NATO member how important they are to the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina 
for his strong bipartisan support in this gathering together of people 
on both sides of the aisle for America's interest. As he pointed out, 
we have an interest not only with our own defense facilities not far 
from that region and not only associating as he has his own experience 
the devastation of earthquakes, but also a stark contrast that occurs 
to the people of Syria when they find out the U.S. and other countries 
are coming together to their aid while the Syrian regime under Assad 
continues to wreak havoc and damage to the everyday lives of the people 
of Syria.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania 
(Ms. Dean), who is a new member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. We 
all look forward to working together with the gentlewoman.
  Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Keating for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important resolution 
responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Turkiye and Syria as a 
result of the devastating earthquakes on February 6 and the many, many 
aftershocks.
  The death toll from this tragedy is approaching 50,000 men, women, 
and children. Thousands more are injured, hundreds of thousands of 
buildings are destroyed, and millions of survivors have been displaced 
from their homes--many now residing in temporary shelters with 
inadequate food, heat, water, and medical care.
  I commend the gentleman making this resolution. I commend the Biden 
administration for its swift response to this crisis. Through USAID and 
the State Department, the United States Government quickly mobilized 
search-and-rescue teams, allocated $185 million in humanitarian 
assistance, and continues to deliver vital relief supplies to first 
responders.
  Rebuilding from this disaster will not be easy, and the road ahead is 
long. We call upon the governments in this area to support the people, 
to support their recovery, and to support their rebuilding.
  This resolution is a symbol of our commitment to ensuring we continue 
to deliver assistance to those so gravely impacted by this tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Wilson, and I thank Congressman 
Keating for his leadership in this important resolution.
  God bless the people of Turkiye and Syria.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, again, it is so refreshing 
to see colleagues of both political parties across the country from 
South Carolina to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Actually, it is 
reflective of the deep affection that the people of America have as we 
appreciate, in particular, Turkiye, a NATO ally, that it is always to 
be cherished because when you visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial 
here on the mall in Washington, Mr. Speaker, you see the Allies who 
stood together to oppose the Communist aggression of June 1950, and the 
first country that is listed is Turkiye. It is an ever-present reminder 
of our appreciation and then our recognition of Kemal Ataturk and his 
success in creating a democracy in the Middle East.

  Over and over again there is such a great affection, and the 
significance of the Turkish-American community and the Syrian-American 
community what they have meant as entrepreneurs across our country is 
so positive.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. 
Again, I thank Congressman Joe Wilson, the chair of the House Foreign 
Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia 
for his work on this resolution.
  It is important to recognize that the U.S. is joining the whole 
international community, again, at a time of need. It is in our self-
interest to move in this respect, too. There are countless aftereffects 
as well as aftershocks that will come about as a result of this

[[Page H890]]

earthquake. We are going to see time and time again swift action and 
humanitarian action. Action for support will really come back in a very 
cost effective and humanitarian way to provide dividends moving forward 
in the future.
  That being said, too, our NATO ally, Turkiye, is suffering a great 
deal. We want to demonstrate not just through NATO and other alliances 
that we are there for the Turkish people as well who have often come to 
our aid in areas of critical security needs.
  The people of Turkiye and Syria have suffered tremendously as a 
result of these earthquakes and thousands of the aftershocks.
  I support this resolution to signal globally that the United States 
stands with the people of Turkiye and Syria and the United States will 
continue to support any and all humanitarian efforts to bring aid and 
assistance to the victims of these disasters. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that 
all our colleagues join together in this bipartisan effort to support 
this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance 
of my time to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the broad coalition of Members on both sides of 
the aisle with the leadership of Congressman Bill Keating who have come 
together to support this critical resolution.
  I especially want to thank Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Leader Steve 
Scalise for their accelerating the scheduling of this for today. It is 
so important for the people of Turkiye and Syria to know of our 
affection for them.
  The people of the United States stand with the suffering people of 
Turkiye and Syria who have been so impacted by this terrible natural 
disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 132 is an important statement of human 
solidarity. It deserves our unanimous support, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 132.
  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. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________