[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2468-H2471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STANDING AGAINST HOUTHI AGGRESSION ACT
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1149, I call up
the bill (H.R. 6046) to designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist
organization and impose certain sanctions on Ansarallah, and for other
purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bost). Pursuant to House Resolution
1149, in lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute
recommended by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, an amendment in the
nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print
118-29 shall be considered as adopted, and the bill, as amended, is
considered read.
The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:
H.R. 6046
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 ``Standing Against Houthi
Aggression Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) It was reported by Reuters on March 21, 2017, that
Iran, a designated state sponsor of terror, sent advanced
weapons and military advisers to assist and support Yemen's
Ansarallah, commonly referred to as the ``Houthis''.
(2) On January 19, 2021, the Trump Administration
designated Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and
a specially designated global terrorist.
(3) On February 16, 2021, Secretary of State Blinken
revoked the designation of Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist
organization pursuant to section 219(a)(6)(A) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)(6)(A)).
(4) Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have launched over
40 ballistic missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle attacks on
international shipping in the Red Sea, including direct
attacks on United States sailors and taking an international
ship and its crew hostage. This follows years of Houthi
cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates.
(5) Houthi attacks on global shipping have caused many
shipping companies to re-route to avoid the area, resulting
in a de-facto blockade against Yemen, while also driving up
shipping costs, disrupting supply chains, and negatively
impacting the global economy.
(6) In addition to providing the Houthis with advanced
conventional weapons and component parts, Iran and their
Hezbollah proxies have also enabled the Houthis with
financial support, training, and technical knowledge to
manufacture weapons, including long range drones and
ballistic and cruise missiles in Yemen, resulting in
increased Houthi weapons stockpiles and illegal weapons
proliferation throughout the region.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION AS FTO; IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) Designation as FTO.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist
organization pursuant to section 219(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189(a)).
(b) Imposition of Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the
sanctions described in paragraph (2) with respect to--
(A) Ansarallah; and
(B) any foreign person that is a member, agent, or
affiliate of, or owned or controlled by Ansarallah.
(2) Sanctions described.--The sanctions described in this
paragraph are the following:
(A) Blocking of property.--The President shall exercise all
authorities granted under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent
necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property
and interests in property of Ansarallah or the foreign person
if such property and interests in property are in the United
States, come within the United States, or come within the
possession or control of a United States person.
(B) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
(i) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien described in
paragraph (1) shall be--
(I) inadmissible to the United States;
(II) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to
enter the United States; and
(III) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into
the United States or to receive any other benefit under the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et 16 seq.).
(ii) Current visas revoked.--
(I) In general.--The visa or other entry documentation of
any alien described in paragraph (1) is subject to revocation
regardless of the issue date of the visa or other entry
documentation.
(II) Immediate effect.--A revocation under subclause (I)
shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i))--
(aa) take effect immediately; and
(bb) cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation
that is in the possession of the alien.
(3) Penalties.--Any person that violates, or attempts to
violate, paragraph (2) or any regulation, license, or order
issued pursuant to that subsection, shall be subject to the
penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206
of the International Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to
the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
(4) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out this subsection.
(5) Regulations.--
(A) In general.--The President shall, not later than 120
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate
regulations as necessary for the implementation of this
subsection.
(B) Notification to congress.--Not less than 10 days before
the promulgation of regulations under paragraph (1), the
President shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of the proposed regulations and the provisions of
this subsection that the regulations are implementing.
(C) Appropriate congressional committee defined.--In this
paragraph, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(i) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee
on the Judiciary of the Senate.
(6) Exceptions.--
(A) Exception for intelligence activities.--Sanctions under
this subsection shall not apply to any activity subject to
the reporting requirements under title V of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.) or any
authorized intelligence activities of the United States.
(B) Exception to comply with international obligations and
for law enforcement activities.--Sanctions under this
subsection shall not apply with respect to an alien if
admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is
necessary--
(i) to permit the United States to comply with the
Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
States, or other applicable international obligations; or
(ii) to carry out or assist authorized law enforcement
activity in the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 1 hour,
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, or their respective designees.
The gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Meeks) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).
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 include
extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlemen from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, we are here today because of the grievous errors of the
Biden administration.
The Biden administration's failed policies have emboldened the Houthi
rebels at the expense of our regional partners. By projecting weakness
on the world stage, this administration has invited aggression.
The Houthis were previously designated as a foreign terrorist
organization, or FTO, and a specially designated global terrorist
organization. Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued both
designations in January 2021.
[[Page H2469]]
This was in response to the Houthis' violent takeover of Yemen's
capital, years of civil war, and wide-scale suppression of Yemeni
civilians, as well as the hundreds of cross-border attacks on Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Houthis undertook this entire
campaign of destruction with the backing of Iran, the leading state
sponsor of terrorism.
Regrettably, the incoming Biden administration removed the two
terrorist designations, even though Houthis continued to traffic in
terror. Removing these designations with no concessions only emboldened
the Houthi rebels.
After the designation was removed, the Houthis breached the former
U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen. They forcibly detained several current
and former U.S. Embassy locally employed staff and international aid
workers, and Houthi cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia doubled
compared to the previous year.
The Houthis' terrorist activities reached new heights after Hamas'
October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel. Since then, the Houthis, with
the support of Iran and their Hezbollah proxies, have undertaken a
deadly and disruptive campaign. They have launched over 100 missiles
and drone attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of
Aden. The Houthis' missile and drone attacks have killed mariners and
have even sunk a ship. The Houthis have hijacked a ship and continue to
hold its crew hostage.
Iran and Hezbollah are, according to declassified U.S. intelligence,
directly involved in the Houthi campaign against international
shipping.
These disruptions pose a serious threat to the global economy. Ships
are rerouting around the Horn of Africa, adding approximately 10 days
in additional travel time and up to $1 million in fuel costs. Moreover,
insurance premiums for ships using the Red Sea have increased tenfold.
The United States and our international partners have responded with
military force to defend against the incoming Houthi attacks and, in
some cases, undertaken strikes on Houthi military infrastructure in
Yemen.
We need to be exerting all forms of pressure and deterrence on the
Houthis to stop these attacks. We cannot ignore the Houthis' true
nature. Their slogan, Mr. Speaker, is: ``Death to America, Death to
Israel, Curse on the Jews, Victory to Islam.''
They are a terrorist organization and must be designated as such.
This will ensure that all forms of support to the Houthis are subject
to sanctions or criminal penalties.
While the Biden administration reimposed the specially designated
global terrorist designation, it has substantial carve-outs that weaken
the impact, essentially rendering it useless.
The stakes are too high, Mr. Speaker. One can only think about last
Saturday night when Iran fired over 300 missiles and drones into
Israel. It is the first time in history that rockets have been fired
out of Iran into the State of Israel.
We must take action, and that is why this bill directs the Secretary
of State to redesignate the Houthis as an FTO with no exceptions and no
carve-outs.
The Houthis are waging an all-out war on global commerce and freedom
of navigation, and Iran is bankrolling them.
{time} 1330
If the United States and international community do not respond, we
are, in essence, yielding to the demands of the terrorists. We are
emboldening them and empowering them.
The Biden administration's weakness invited further Houthi
aggression. Now it is up to the Congress to act and preserve our
national security.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Congress of the United States, House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, March 1, 2024.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 6046. the
Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act. Provisions of this
bill fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X
jurisdiction, and I appreciate that you consulted with us on
those provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it
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 understanding that
forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in
any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any
future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their
subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment
of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a
conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar
legislation.
I ask that you please include this letter in your
committee's report to accompany this legislation or insert
this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration
of H.R. 6046 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative
manner in which our committees have worked on this matter,
and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future
on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your
attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Jim Jordan,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, March 5, 2024.
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 H.R. 6046. the Standing Against
Houthi Aggression Act, so that the measure 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 measure or similar legislation in the future. I would
support your effort to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees from your committee to any House-Senate
conference on this legislation.
I will place our letters into our Committee's report on
this bill. 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. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 6046, which would
force the administration to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist
organization, an FTO, a designation that risks jeopardizing the very
lifesaving assistance Yemeni civilians are dependent on for their
survival.
Let me be clear. Everyone in this body recognizes the threat the
Houthis pose both in Yemen and the Red Sea. We have seen the Iran-
backed proxy launch a campaign of missile attacks on commercial vessels
in the Red Sea, attempting to halt global trade, violating
international law. Their disruptive campaign has not only endangered
merchant vessels, but also United States personnel with the clear-
stated intention of harming Israel and any of its allies.
That said, I believe that this legislation is the wrong approach. The
Biden administration has undertaken the correct approach. In response
to the Houthis' unprecedented attack in the Red Sea, the
administration, rather than unilaterally, worked multilaterally with
more than 40 countries to curb the Houthi behavior while not escalating
tension in the Middle East.
The administration has targeted military strikes on Houthi targets
and implemented, specifically, specially designated global terrorist
sanctions with appropriate humanitarian provisions.
Working collectively with our allies, not America alone, is the way
that we win this battle. That is the correct route instead of this
measure, which does not address the Houthi threat.
Instead, it undermines the United States' national security objective
in the region and endangers innocent Yemenis, who are already on the
brink of perishing.
First, the H.R. 6046 mandate does not include humanitarian
provisions, thereby unnecessarily punishing millions of Yemeni
civilians. This would create a scenario in which commercial vessels and
humanitarian organizations would not be able to continue to provide
lifesaving goods to many Yemenis due to severe criminal penalties they
would incur for doing so.
After nearly a decade of brutal war, the majority of the Yemenis,
nearly half of them children, face serious malnutrition, and millions
more Yemenis remain on the brink of starvation. This legislation would
only deepen the humanitarian crisis at a time when aid is
[[Page H2470]]
most needed. That is why a broad coalition of NGOs and humanitarian
organizations oppose an FTO designation without humanitarian
provisions.
While some may point to existing general licenses or provisions as a
mitigating factor, the legal implications of an FTO designation and the
sweeping consequences it entails, without regard to type of activity or
transaction, renders such licenses moot without any such new statutory
authorizations or exemptions.
Secondly, this designation would also undercut important ongoing
diplomatic efforts by the United States, the U.N., and European
countries to achieve de-escalation in the region, the world, together.
That is the right thing to do.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill is theatrical. It will have no real-
world impact on the Houthi behavior, but would likely serve as a public
relations win and recruiting fodder for the movement while, at the same
time, the people that would be punished are the Yemenis, those innocent
children and women and men. It is unnecessary.
This and any future administration already has the authority to
implement such a designation per section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act.
Mr. Speaker, for these reasons and others, I urge my colleagues not
to support H.R. 6046, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Clyde), a member of the Committee on Appropriations and
the author of this bill.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for his leadership on
this bill, as well. It is greatly appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that we are considering my bill, H.R.
6046, the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act, today.
This legislation would reimpose the foreign terrorist organization
designation on the Iran-backed Houthis, as well as reinstate additional
sanctions against the group.
The Houthis have long been a source of terror and violence, not only
to Yemen, but to the whole region. Yet, for incalculable reasons, the
Biden administration refuses to call them what they are. They are
terrorists.
President Donald Trump rightfully classified the Houthis as a foreign
terrorist organization in January of 2021 after a series of heinous
attacks against civilians. However, in a shocking and politically
motivated retraction, the Biden administration reversed President
Trump's decision just 1 month later, further empowering the Iran-backed
Houthis in their acts of terror.
The Houthis have carried out a series of ongoing attacks in recent
months, including ballistic-missile and unmanned-aerial-vehicle attacks
against international shipping vessels in the Red Sea. The attacks
began last year when Houthi forces landed a helicopter on a cargo
vessel and seized the crew. Since then, there have been more than 40
attacks on commercial ships by the Houthi rebels.
We express our deep gratitude to the brave men and women of the USS
Carney who have taken defensive measures against the Houthi anti-ship
ballistic missiles on multiple occasions to safeguard the waters of the
Gulf of Aden.
Tragically, two Navy SEALs were recently lost at sea and later
declared deceased after a U.S. operation to intervene and seize Iranian
weapons being transported to the Houthis. American blood has been
spilled because of the Houthi terrorists.
Additionally, over this past weekend, the Houthis joined Iran's
assault on our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel. While the
Israeli Iron Dome and the United States Central Command thankfully
intercepted 99 percent of the projectiles, the Houthis' growing
aggression represents an existential danger in the region.
In response to these ongoing attacks, the Biden administration felt
pressured, and so they recognized that they had to do something.
Therefore, they designated the Houthi movement as a specially
designated global terrorist group in January, but this lower-tier
designation is simply not enough. It comes nowhere close to matching
the force of a foreign terrorist organization designation.
President Trump designated the Houthis as both, and they should be
both designations. The foreign terrorist organization designation, as
provided in this bill, goes much farther, allowing for special criminal
penalties for materiel support, like military supplies; immigration
restrictions; and the ability for victims to seek damages. H.R. 6046
would require that the Houthis receive the foreign terrorist
organization designation within 90 days after the enactment of this
bill.
The Houthis' intentions are abundantly clear, but by passing my bill,
we make our intentions perfectly clear, that the United States does not
bargain with, nor capitulate to terrorist regimes.
Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of this legislation, I urge my colleagues
on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 6046, the Standing Against
Houthi Aggression Act, to forcefully show that there will be
consequences for the Houthis' egregious acts of terror.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Carter), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6046, the Standing
Against Houthi Aggression Act, which I am proud to be a cosponsor of.
Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, I am appalled that I have to say this,
but the President of the United States has emboldened Iran to attack
our greatest ally in the Middle East and the only democracy in that
region, Israel.
In February of 2021, the Biden administration removed the Houthis
from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. This was a
terrible, terrible misjudgment that mirrors this administration's
complete lack of authority on issues of national and international
security.
Iranian-backed terrorist organizations have repeatedly proven that
they will carry out the Iranian regime's radical Islamic ideology to no
end. This weekend was a sobering reminder of that.
It is time to hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their
actions. This requires that the U.S. take a firmer stance against
Iran's state-sponsored terrorism. The Standing Against Houthi
Aggression Act places the Houthis back onto the list of foreign
terrorist organizations, where they should have been all along, and it
imposes immediate sanctions on any individual associated with the
group.
If President Biden refuses to lead, I hope this body will step up in
his absence to fight against anti-Semitism and state-sponsored
terrorism. Anything less than that, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I and reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6046 would force the administration to designate
the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization without humanitarian
provisions and, consequently, make the humanitarian crisis in Yemen
even more dire.
Now, Mr. Clyde says that the Biden administration doesn't want to
call the Houthis what they are, but let me read what they are and
sanctioned already. They are a specially designated global terrorist.
That is what the Biden administration issued. The difference between
the two, being an SDGT as opposed to being an FTO, is one allows
humanitarian aid in, and the other doesn't.
This bill would have significant adverse impacts, creating a
situation in which humanitarian organizations and commercial shippers
would be reluctant to provide food, aid, and medical equipment to Yemen
out of fear of the severe criminal consequences this bill would impose.
It does nothing really to change the Houthis' behavior. It just hurts
innocent Yemeni people. Therefore, I support the administration's
efforts to counter Houthi actions with targeted military strikes and
the implementation of that specially designated global terrorist
sanction, which includes the humanitarian provisions that this bill
[[Page H2471]]
lacks. This is, by far, the better path toward ceasing hostile Houthi
actions.
The Biden administration's approach holds the Houthis responsible for
their violent, destabilizing actions without deepening the crisis for
innocent Yemeni citizens.
{time} 1345
I am going to stand with a broad coalition of NGOs, humanitarian
organizations, and those that understand the wealth and the need and
the richness of human life, trying to save human beings, not turning
our backs on them with a piece of legislation that will do nothing
really to the Houthis or change their behavior.
All of these NGOs, all of these humanitarian organizations, oppose an
FTO designation without humanitarian provisions.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to do the same. We should make
sure that the NGOs and humanitarian organizations are able to help save
innocent lives.
Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill and ask my colleagues to oppose this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, let me just say I learned one thing in my 20 years here
and as a history major, as well. It repeats itself.
If you message weakness, that invites aggression, conflict, and war.
If you project strength, you have peace. Whether it be Israel, whether
it be Ukraine, whether it be China and their ambitions with Taiwan, we
are projecting weakness.
We are seeing around the world our global hot spots. The world is on
fire now, Mr. Speaker, fires lit by a policy of appeasement.
When they lifted the FTO designation on the Houthi rebels, there is a
direct cause and effect. I respect my good friend from the other side
of the aisle, but messaging counts. Deterrence does count.
What happened after the Biden administration lifted the terrorist
designation? We had crossed borders on Saudi Arabia that doubled to
over 400 attacks, more than 180 on international shipping, and they are
shutting down the Red Sea and commerce.
We are only emboldening, and unfortunately, the policy in the Middle
East has always been to appease and accommodate Iran so that maybe Iran
will one day sit down so we can break bread and have this glorious Iran
deal.
I am an idealist and an optimist, but I am also a realist and
pragmatic in my worldview. That was not going to happen.
What have we seen when the Biden administration lifted sanctions on
energy? We have seen $80 billion in energy sold to China; $80 billion
going to Iran to kill, for terror operations through their proxies; $80
billion to send missiles, rockets, and drones to Russia to kill
Ukrainians. It is all connected. Those three are our adversaries and
our enemies, all three of them.
This is not the time to be sending a message of weakness to the
largest state sponsor of terror, for to do so will only invite more
aggression.
We also have waived and let expire sanctions on the drones and
missiles manufactured by Iran. Let's think about that. That just went
away. So, guess what? Iran can now sell their drones and missiles
wherever they want, putting more money into Iran for their terror
operations.
I can go on and on. We know what is happening there. We saw what
happened last Saturday, the reign of terror. Thank God the United
States provided the moneys for the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the
Arrow, which brought down 99 percent of these attacks. Ninety-nine
percent of these attacks were actually brought down, stopped, and
intercepted because of this partnership against terror.
Mr. Speaker, to our servicemembers defending freedom of navigation
right now in the Red Sea against the threat of Houthi rockets that they
intercept every day, for the other side to say it is not connected to
Iran just defies our U.S. intelligence community. We know exactly where
it is coming from. They are the proxies. Iran, the Ayatollah, is the
head of the snake and the proxies are the tentacles. It is time to deal
with the tentacles, and it is also time to cut the head of the snake
off.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1149, the
previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. McCAUL. 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 question will be postponed.
____________________