[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5907-H5908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SANCTIONED FUNDS TO BE ACCESSED BY THE IRANIAN REGIME IN EXCHANGE FOR 
                    THE RETURN OF AMERICAN HOSTAGES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, this September, the Biden 
administration paved the way for $6 billion in sanctioned funds to be 
accessed by the Iranian regime in exchange for the return of American 
hostages.
  Authorizing this transfer puts us in an incredibly dangerous position 
and will only encourage Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism to 
kidnap more hostages in the future.
  What we saw in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and what we 
are seeing, once again, is that President Biden has failed to manage 
our Nation's foreign policy.
  This deal gives Iran access to more money to fund more terrorist 
activities, including support for regional proxies like Hamas and 
Hezbollah.
  We know that the Iranian regime is highly skilled in sanctions 
evasion, and they will do everything they can to hide the true use of 
these funds.
  One thing is for certain, this money would not be used for 
humanitarian purposes, as the Biden administration has claimed.
  It is time to pass the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act and freeze 
this money in Qatari banks where it is currently being held.
  We cannot allow the Iranian regime to enrich itself and continue to 
funnel money into the hands of known terrorists.


       Public Lands Shouldn't Be Used to House Illegal Immigrants

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in the past week, the 
Tucson, Arizona, sector of our southern border has encountered over 
2,000 illegal immigrants each and every day.
  This crisis has pulled in Border Patrol resources, including highly 
trained BORTAC units to confront the surge of illegal immigrants from 
across the southwest.
  This has left dangerous gaps in our border security for cartels to 
exploit, smuggling deadly drugs like cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl into 
the United States.
  Now, after repealing Trump's remain in Mexico policy, the Biden 
administration is attempting to use public lands and national parks to 
house illegal immigrants.
  This policy shift is a failure, and it is a failure that will 
continue to have immediate and negative consequences for so many 
American communities.
  Places like the Gateway National Recreational area in New Jersey 
should not be used to house illegal immigrants who have been allowed by 
President Biden to remain in America for far too long.
  Our communities cannot afford to continue down this treacherous path.
  It is time for Congress to pass legislation that prevents our public 
lands from being used to support the crisis that President Biden has 
failed to address with our failed ability to maintain the sovereignty 
of our country by making sure that all of our borders are secure.

[[Page H5908]]

  

                          ____________________