[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.
____________________