[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 102 (Monday, June 12, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2800-H2803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS ACT

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3099) to establish in the Department of State the position 
of Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3099

       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 ``Special Envoy for the 
     Abraham Accords Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that the policy of the United States, as 
     enacted in section 104 of the Israel Relations Normalization 
     Act of 2022 (division Z of Public Law 117-103), with respect 
     to the Abraham Accords remains unchanged.

     SEC. 3. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS.

       Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 
     1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 64. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS.

       ``(a) Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords.--There is 
     established within the Department of State a Special Envoy 
     for the Abraham Accords (in this section referred to as the 
     `Special Envoy'), who shall serve as the primary advisor to, 
     and coordinate efforts across, the United States Government 
     relating to expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords. 
     The Special Envoy shall report directly to the Secretary of 
     State and shall hold the office at the pleasure of the 
     President.
       ``(b) Nomination.--Pursuant to subsection (j)(1) of section 
     1, the Special Envoy shall be appointed by the President, by 
     and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and may be 
     appointed from among the officers and employees of the 
     Department except that such officer or employee may not 
     retain the position (or the responsibilities associated with 
     the position) held by such officer or employee prior to such 
     appointment simultaneously with the position or 
     responsibilities of the Special Envoy.
       ``(c) Rank and Status of Ambassador.--The Special Envoy 
     shall have the rank and status of ambassador.
       ``(d) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall be responsible for--
       ``(1) encouraging countries without diplomatic relations 
     with Israel to establish formal diplomatic, economic, 
     security, and people-to-people ties;
       ``(2) seeking to expand and strengthen existing 
     relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries, 
     including those outside the geographic scope of the Near 
     Eastern Affairs Bureau of the Department of State, to ensure 
     that all parties reap tangible security and economic benefits 
     for their citizens;
       ``(3) building on existing efforts, including the Negev 
     Forum, to help foster enhanced cooperation between Israel and 
     Muslim-majority countries on shared priorities including as 
     relates to trade, agriculture, and water security;
       ``(4) providing diplomatic support for Israel's integration 
     into cooperative efforts related to regional security; and
       ``(5) coordinating lines of effort across the United States 
     Government, including the regional and functional bureaus 
     within the Department of State, and conducting appropriate 
     diplomatic engagement with foreign governments, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders 
     determined appropriate by the Special Envoy in order to

[[Page H2801]]

     expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords.
       ``(e) Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the confirmation of the first Special Envoy appointed 
     pursuant to this section, and annually thereafter, the 
     Special Envoy shall submit to the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report 
     describing all United States efforts to expand the Abraham 
     Accords, including specific diplomatic engagements and status 
     of efforts with respect to specific countries.
       ``(2) Form of report.--The report required by paragraph (1) 
     shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a 
     separate, classified annex.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for 75 years, the United States and Israel have been 
close friends and partners, working hand in hand on our shared 
priorities to keep our nations safe, secure, and prosperous.
  Along with our partnership with Israel, we also have many shared 
interests with our Arab partners in the region.
  The United States has consistently worked to help secure peace in the 
Middle East, and we remain committed to enduring peace throughout the 
region.
  Not only do we want to ensure regional security but economic 
prosperity as well, which drives cutting-edge innovation.
  We are all concerned about Iran's malign activities. A nuclear Iran 
is a threat to the entire region and the world and is not acceptable. 
Yet, for so many years, our friends would not speak directly to one 
another. Even after Egypt, in 1979, and Jordan, in 1994, established 
peace and diplomatic relations with Israel, other Arab countries 
refused.
  Then, in August 2020, everything changed. The UAE and Israel 
announced that they were normalizing diplomatic relations in a deal 
brokered by the Trump administration, which we now know as the Abraham 
Accords. In short order, Bahrain and Morocco joined UAE in opening 
diplomatic relations with Israel.
  I was proud to be at the White House for the signing of these famous 
documents, the accords, a game-changing development that benefits the 
United States, Israel, and our partners in the region.
  The Abraham Accords have served as a foundation for increased 
cooperation between Israel and Middle Eastern nations. We have already 
seen incredible leaps forward as these countries engage in defense 
cooperation, economic cooperation, and frequent diplomatic engagement. 
What we have not seen, but we all wish to see, is more countries 
joining the Abraham Accords.
  Secretary of State Blinken was in Saudi Arabia last week, and I 
remain hopeful that one day Saudi Arabia will engage with their 
neighbors and join these historic accords. Saudi Arabia and Israel 
would both benefit from working together on their shared interests.

                              {time}  1645

  It has never been more important that we continue to prioritize the 
expansion of these agreements. Part of doing this entails making it 
clear who in the United States Government is responsible for expanding 
these Abraham Accords.
  This bipartisan bill, introduced by my colleague and friend Mike 
Lawler from New York, who is also a member of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, would create that position, a special envoy for the Abraham 
Accords at the State Department. The special envoy will coordinate all 
efforts to expand the accords and strengthen relationships between 
Israel and participating countries.
  We need to put our diplomatic might into trying to achieve the kinds 
of big breakthroughs that created the accords almost 3 years ago. This 
legislation, Mr. Lawler's bill, does exactly that.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Torres, 
for working with Representative Lawler to introduce this very important 
piece of legislation that would create a senior-level special envoy 
dedicated to enhancing and expanding the important Abraham Accords.
  Mr. Speaker, I have spoken in the past about my support for the 
accords, which I believe have the potential to transform the security, 
diplomatic, and economic environment in the Middle East for peace and 
to advance United States' interests.
  These agreements are already showing promise and deserve the 
attention of this Congress. I believe it is advantageous to the State 
Department to have an official in place focused on managing and 
implementing regional strategy for peace and encouraging cooperation 
between and among Israel, Arab states, and the Palestinians to enhance 
such prospects for a true peace and create tangible benefits for all.
  As Mr. McCaul said, starting with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco with 
the Abraham Accords, we need to grow and have more nations involved, 
saying this time that we know that Israel has the right to exist and 
will exist, and we are going to look and work together for peace in the 
Middle East.
  That is why adding a special envoy dedicated to working on and having 
and stimulating conversation among the other nations in the Gulf region 
with Israel is tremendously important. This is something that I am 
proud to support, and I hope my colleagues in the House join me.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that the Biden administration has taken 
implementation and expansion of the Abraham Accords seriously. I know 
that the President has dedicated several government agencies to their 
success. I believe that this high-level special envoy will be another 
asset to the State Department and help them coordinate and streamline 
implementation of the accords. It is something that we should focus on 
because success means peace in the Middle East, and peace is good for 
all of us on this planet.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler), a member of the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs and the author of this important bill.
  Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak in strong support of 
the passage of my bill, H.R. 3099, the Special Envoy for the Abraham 
Accords Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Meeks, and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres) for working together in a 
bipartisan way to advance this legislation.
  I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and positive 
feedback that this crucial piece of legislation has received, and for 
good reason.
  H.R. 3099 creates the position of the special envoy for the Abraham 
Accords in the U.S. Department of State. This new position would hold 
ambassador rank and be Senate confirmed. The special envoy would be 
responsible for coordinating efforts across the United States 
Government to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords with key allies 
and strategic partners across the Middle East and across the globe. 
Having a point person at the State Department is key to ensuring the 
accords maintain a priority in this administration and all future 
administrations.
  While this bill seeks to hold the Biden administration accountable to 
ensure they are advancing the Abraham Accords, it does so with strong 
support from both sides of the aisle, making clear that the United 
States

[[Page H2802]]

Government prioritizes our relationship with Israel and the advancement 
of peace and prosperity, regardless of any other policy differences we 
may have.
  For 75 years, Israel has been and remains our staunchest ally and a 
pivotal partner in the Middle East. A beacon of freedom, democracy, and 
prosperity, they are an example that the rest of the region can look to 
for building a successful and vibrant society.
  The Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between 
Israel and other Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, were a 
monumental step that has provided a roadmap for the future of diplomacy 
in the Middle East and beyond.
  They also showcased that the real center of instability in the region 
is Iran. Many countries were finally ready to work together with the 
United States and Israel to counter Iran's state-sponsored terrorism, 
pursuit of nuclear weapons, and consistent violation of the human 
rights of the Iranian people.
  Mutual opposition to the Islamic republic has fueled the Abraham 
Accords and signified a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape. 
They are a testament to the transformative power of diplomacy and 
strong economic ties to bring about peace.
  At its origins in September 2020, the Abraham Accords included the 
United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Morocco joined the following December 
after normalizing ties with Israel.

  While Israeli officials are taking meaningful steps to bring other 
countries into the Abraham Accords, none have joined since 2020 or the 
beginning of 2021.
  It is critical, now more than ever, that we build upon this 
unprecedented progress, and the establishment of a special envoy is a 
definitive step in that direction.
  Having a special envoy entirely dedicated to the Abraham Accords 
would underscore the United States' commitment to nurturing the growth 
of these historic agreements, and it sends a clear message to our 
allies and, indeed, to the entire world about the immense value we 
place on normalized relations with Israel and increased cooperation and 
stability in the Middle East.
  This special envoy would also be critical for bringing Saudi Arabia 
into the Abraham Accords. Both countries have taken incremental steps 
to improve relations since Saudi Arabia's Gulf neighbors, the UAE and 
Bahrain, first normalized relations.
  Israeli airlines can now use Saudi Arabia's airspace, and the kingdom 
recently agreed to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Tiran 
for Israeli ships.
  As a leader in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham 
Accords would make serious inroads for Israel's relationships not only 
in the Middle East but across the globe. Additionally, strengthening 
ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia would create immense pushback 
against Iran.
  Moreover, this legislation calls for a comprehensive report to 
Congress detailing our Nation's efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. 
It requests specific information on diplomatic engagements and the 
status of normalization efforts with various other countries. This 
report, in effect, ensures a system of checks and balances, holding the 
special envoy, the Biden administration, and all future administrations 
accountable for prioritizing the strengthening of these accords.
  Passing this bill would be a profound affirmation of our steadfast 
commitment to fostering peace, productive bilateral relationships in 
the Middle East and, we hope, well beyond. It embodies our vision of a 
world where peace in the region is not just a distant dream but a 
tangible reality within our reach.
  Today, I stand before you, urging all of my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle to join me in championing this critical piece of 
legislation. Together, let's take this significant stride toward peace, 
prosperity, and a better future for all.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation shows that when Congress wants to work 
together, we can. We can advance legislation that not only makes a 
difference in the United States but makes a difference around the 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Ritchie Torres, for making that 
possible.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Torres), a friend.
  Mr. TORRES of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Meeks for 
his friendship and mentoring, and I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking 
Member Meeks for setting the gold standard of bipartisanship here in 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler) for his 
legislative partnership and leadership.
  If there is one cause that should transcend partnership, it is the 
cause of peace in the Middle East.
  Building a bridge between Israel and the Arab world is neither a 
Democratic value nor a Republican value. It is an American value.
  The Abraham Accords is both an affirmation of Arab-Israeli peace and 
a rejection of BDS as a relic of the past.
  Indeed, the three noes of the Khartoum Resolution have been replaced 
by the three yeses of the Abraham Accords: yes to recognition of 
Israel, yes to negotiations with Israel, and yes to peace with Israel.
  The Abraham Accords is an achievement so monumental that it demands 
and deserves its own special envoy whose sole and singular mission is 
to build on the inexorable progress of peace in the Middle East.
  Today, we in the United States Congress are bending the long arc of 
the Middle East exactly where it belongs, toward peace and prosperity 
for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The children of Abraham are finally 
standing together as one, divided no longer.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  As we have heard here today, there is strong support in this Congress 
for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and 
countries in the Arab and Muslim world.
  ``Diplomatic'' and ``diplomacy'' are words that we need to use more 
often, and we need to get more engaged in diplomatic activity, working 
for peace and working for true recognition of Israel in the Middle 
East.
  Sustained agreement from the United States with a special envoy will 
help maintain the momentum that has built and will lead to a more 
peaceful region.
  Imagine that, Madam Speaker, nations talking and working together in 
a region where it had been full of war and where people are recognizing 
Israel's right to exist, working in a diplomatic way across borders for 
better lives for everyone in the region.
  For peace in the region, there is work to do, but it gives us hope 
that others will join and that we will be able to assist with a special 
envoy bringing people to the same table to support a more peaceful 
region.
  Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this 
important resolution.
  Again, I thank Mr. McCaul, Mr. Lawler, and Mr. Torres for bringing 
this resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives so that 
all can hear that, again, we are united and working collectively 
together, without party affiliation, for the betterment of the world.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I thank all the gentlemen from New York--Congressman 
Lawler, Ranking Member Meeks, and Congressman Torres--for putting this 
legislation forward.
  We have all talked about peace in the Middle East our entire 
lifetime, but we really have a chance to make a difference. The Abraham 
Accords jump-started that process, built upon the agreements with Egypt 
and then Jordan, and now this.
  We are really, I think, privileged to be a part of the new era of 
ushering in cooperation between Israel and the Muslim-majority 
countries.
  When I would talk to Ambassadors from UAE and other countries, they 
would say: We are just tired. We are just tired of Palestinians saying 
no. We just can't do it. We just can't do it.
  They just said: We want to move forward. We want progress. We want 
peace in the region.
  They want economic prosperity, which this does.

[[Page H2803]]

  These accords mark a generational shift in Middle Eastern relations. 
This bill will further that effort and that mission, and we must 
continue the work. This special envoy will be dedicated to this 
purpose.
  I have to say that Ritchie Torres came up with this idea. He worked 
with our side of the aisle, and he and Congressman Lawler worked 
together on this legislation. That is what Congress should look like, 
working together on a goal that can promote peace, prosperity, and 
cooperation--in this case, in the Middle East.
  I may not see it in my lifetime, but I hope I do. However, I do know 
that this bill will move it one step forward toward that great goal 
that we all share here today.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. McClain). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3099, 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. McCAUL. Madam 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.

                          ____________________