[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 23312-23316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2006

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6060) to authorize certain activities by the 
Department of State, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 6060

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department 
     of State Authorities Act of 2006''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Fraud prevention and detection account.
Sec. 3. Education allowances.
Sec. 4. Interference with protective functions.
Sec. 5. Persons excused from payment of fees for execution and issuance 
              of passports.
Sec. 6. Authority to administratively amend surcharges.
Sec. 7. Extension of privileges and immunities.
Sec. 8. Removal of contracting prohibition.
Sec. 9. Personal services contracting.
Sec. 10. Proliferation interdiction support.
Sec. 11. Safeguarding and elimination of conventional arms.
Sec. 12. Imposition of sanctions to deter the transfer of MANPADS.
Sec. 13. Additional authorities.

     SEC. 2. FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION ACCOUNT.

       Section 286(v)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(2)(A)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by inserting ``or primarily'' after 
     ``exclusively''; and
       (2) by amending clause (ii) to read as follows:
       ``(ii) otherwise to prevent and detect visa fraud, 
     including primarily fraud by applicants for visas described 
     in subparagraph (H)(i), (H)(ii), or (L) of section 
     101(a)(15), in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security or pursuant to the terms of a memorandum of 
     understanding or other agreement between the Secretary of 
     State and the Secretary of Homeland Security; and''.

     SEC. 3. EDUCATION ALLOWANCES.

       Section 5924(4) of title 5, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence of subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``United States'' after ``nearest'';
       (2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) The travel expenses of dependents of an employee to 
     and from a secondary or post-secondary educational 
     institution, not to exceed one annual trip each way for each 
     dependent, except that an allowance payment under 
     subparagraph (A) may not be made for a dependent during the 
     12 months following the arrival of the dependent at the 
     selected educational institution under authority contained in 
     this subparagraph.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Allowances provided pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) may include, at the election of the employee, payment or 
     reimbursement of the costs incurred to store baggage for the 
     employee's dependent at or in the vicinity of the dependent's 
     school during one trip per year by the dependent between the 
     school and the employee's duty station, except that such 
     payment or reimbursement may not exceed the cost that the 
     Government would incur to transport the baggage in connection 
     with the trip, and such payment or reimbursement shall be in 
     lieu of transportation of the baggage.''.

[[Page 23313]]



     SEC. 4. INTERFERENCE WITH PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS.

       (a) Offense.--Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 118. Interference with certain protective functions

       ``Any person who knowingly and willfully obstructs, 
     resists, or interferes with a Federal law enforcement agent 
     engaged, within the United States or the special maritime 
     territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in the 
     performance of the protective functions authorized under 
     section 37 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 
     1956 (22 U.S.C. 2709) or section 103 of the Diplomatic 
     Security Act (22 U.S.C. 4802) shall be fined under this 
     title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

``118. Interference with certain protective functions.''.

     SEC. 5. PERSONS EXCUSED FROM PAYMENT OF FEES FOR EXECUTION 
                   AND ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS.

       Section 1(a) of the Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(a)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or from a widow'' and inserting ``from a 
     widow''; and
       (2) by inserting ``; or from an individual or individuals 
     abroad, returning to the United States, when the Secretary 
     determines that foregoing the collection of such fee is 
     justified for humanitarian reasons or for law enforcement 
     purposes'' after ``such member'' the second place it appears.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTRATIVELY AMEND SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--Beginning in fiscal year 2007 and 
     thereafter, the Secretary of State is authorized to amend 
     administratively the amounts of the surcharges related to 
     consular services in support of enhanced border security 
     (provided for in the last paragraph under the heading 
     ``diplomatic and consular programs'' under title IV of 
     division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 
     (Public Law 108-447)) that are in addition to the passport 
     and immigrant visa fees in effect on January 1, 2004.
       (b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a) and the 
     provision of law described in such subsection, the Secretary 
     shall meet the following requirements:
       (1) The amounts of the surcharges shall be reasonably 
     related to the costs of providing services in connection with 
     the activity or item for which the surcharges are charged.
       (2) The aggregate amount of surcharges collected may not 
     exceed the aggregate amount obligated and expended for the 
     costs related to consular services in support of enhanced 
     border security incurred in connection with the activity or 
     item for which the surcharges are charged.
       (3) A surcharge may not be collected except to the extent 
     the surcharge will be obligated and expended to pay the costs 
     related to consular services in support of enhanced border 
     security incurred in connection with the activity or item for 
     which the surcharge is charged.
       (4) A surcharge shall be available for obligation and 
     expenditure only to pay the costs related to consular 
     services in support of enhanced border security incurred in 
     providing services in connection with the activity or item 
     for which the surcharge is charged.

     SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.

       (a) The African Union.--Section 12 of the International 
     Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288f-2) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The provisions''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Under such terms and conditions as the President 
     shall determine, consistent with the purposes of this title, 
     the President is authorized to extend, or enter into an 
     agreement to extend, to the African Union Mission to the 
     United States of America, and to its members, the privileges 
     and immunities enjoyed by diplomatic missions accredited to 
     the United States, and by members of such missions, subject 
     to corresponding conditions and obligations.''.
       (b) The Holy See.--Under such terms and conditions as the 
     President shall determine, the President is authorized to 
     extend, or to enter into an agreement to extend, to the 
     Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United 
     Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and 
     immunities enjoyed by the diplomatic missions of member 
     states to the United Nations, and their members, subject to 
     corresponding conditions and obligations.

     SEC. 8. REMOVAL OF CONTRACTING PROHIBITION.

       Section 406 of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and 
     Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4856) is amended by 
     striking subsection (c).

     SEC. 9. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTING.

       Section 504 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 
     Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 6206 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``broadcasters, 
     producers, and writers'' and inserting ``broadcasters and 
     other broadcasting specialists''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``December 31, 2006'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2007''.

     SEC. 10. PROLIFERATION INTERDICTION SUPPORT.

       (a) Assistance.--Consistent with section 583 of the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349bb-2), as amended by 
     subsection (c), the President is authorized to provide 
     assistance to friendly foreign countries for proliferation 
     detection and interdiction activities and for developing 
     complementary capabilities.
       (b) Report on Existing Proliferation Detection and 
     Interdiction Assistance.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit 
     to the Committee on International Relations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate a report on proliferation and interdiction assistance.
       (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) specify in detail, including program cost, on a 
     country-by-country basis, the assistance being provided by 
     the Department of State to train and equip personnel in 
     friendly foreign countries in the detection and interdiction 
     of proliferation-related shipments of weapons of mass 
     destruction, related materials and means of delivery, and 
     dual-use items of proliferation concern; and
       (B) specify, on an agency-by-agency basis, funding that is 
     being transferred by the Department of State to other 
     executive agencies to carry out such programs.
       (c) Interdiction Assistance Amendments.--Section 583 of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349bb-2) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``should ensure that'' and inserting 
     ``shall ensure that, beginning in fiscal year 2007,'';
       (B) by striking ``expended'' and inserting ``obligated''; 
     and
       (C) by striking ``that originate from, and are destined 
     for, other countries'' and inserting ``to non-state actors 
     and states of proliferation concern''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
       ``(c) Cooperative Agreements.--In order to promote 
     cooperation regarding the interdiction of weapons of mass 
     destruction and related materials and delivery systems, the 
     President is authorized to conclude agreements, including 
     reciprocal maritime agreements, with other countries to 
     facilitate effective measures to prevent the transportation 
     of such items to non-state actors and states of proliferation 
     concern.
       ``(d) Determination and Notice to Congress.--The Secretary 
     of State shall notify the Committee on International 
     Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate in writing not more than 
     30 days after making a determination that any friendly 
     country has been determined to be a country eligible for 
     priority consideration of any assistance under subsection 
     (a). Such determination shall set forth the reasons for such 
     determination, and may be submitted in classified and 
     unclassified form, as necessary.''.

     SEC. 11. SAFEGUARDING AND ELIMINATION OF CONVENTIONAL ARMS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of State is authorized to 
     secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of man-portable air 
     defense systems (MANPADS), small arms and light weapons, 
     stockpiled munitions, abandoned ordnance, and other 
     conventional weapons, including tactical missile systems 
     (hereafter in this section referred to as ``MANPADS and other 
     conventional weapons''), as well as related equipment and 
     facilities, located outside the United States that are 
     determined by the Secretary to pose a proliferation threat.
       (b) Elements.--The activities authorized under subsection 
     (a) may include the following:
       (1) Humanitarian demining activities.
       (2) The elimination or securing of MANPADS.
       (3) The elimination or securing of other conventional 
     weapons.
       (4) Assistance to countries in the safe handling and proper 
     storage of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
       (5) Cooperative programs with the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization and other international organizations to assist 
     countries in the safe handling and proper storage or 
     elimination of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
       (6) The utilization of funds for the elimination or 
     safeguarding of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
       (7) Activities to secure and safeguard MANPADS and other 
     conventional weapons.
       (8) Actions to ensure that equipment and funds, including 
     security upgrades at locations for the storage or disposition 
     of MANPADS and other conventional weapons and related 
     equipment that are determined by the Secretary of State to 
     pose a proliferation threat, continue to be used for 
     authorized purposes.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect the authorities of the Secretary of 
     Defense.

     SEC. 12. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS TO DETER THE TRANSFER OF 
                   MANPADS.

       (a) Statement of Policy.--Congress declares that it should 
     be the policy of the United States to hold foreign 
     governments accountable for knowingly transferring

[[Page 23314]]

     MANPADS to state-sponsors of terrorism or terrorist 
     organizations.
       (b) Determination Relating to Sanctions.--
       (1) In general.--If the President determines that a foreign 
     government knowingly transfers MANPADS to a foreign 
     government described in paragraph (2) or a terrorist 
     organization, the President shall--
       (A) submit forthwith to the Committee on International 
     Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report containing such 
     determination; and
       (B) impose forthwith on the transferring foreign government 
     the sanctions described in subsection (c).
       (2) Foreign government described.--A foreign government 
     described in this paragraph is a foreign government that the 
     Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section 
     6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, section 620A 
     of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of the Arms 
     Export Control Act, or any other provision of law, is a 
     government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of 
     international terrorism.
       (c) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions referred to in 
     subsection (b)(1)(B) are the following:
       (1) Termination of United States Government assistance to 
     the transferring foreign government under the Foreign 
     Assistance Act of 1961, except that such termination shall 
     not apply in the case of humanitarian assistance.
       (2) Termination of United States Government--
       (A) sales to the transferring foreign government of any 
     defense articles, defense services, or design and 
     construction services; and
       (B) licenses for the export to the transferring foreign 
     government of any item on the United States Munitions List.
       (3) Termination of all foreign military financing for the 
     transferring foreign government.
       (d) Waiver.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     sanctions shall not be imposed on a transferring foreign 
     government under this section if the President determines and 
     certifies in writing to the Committee on International 
     Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate that the furnishing of the 
     assistance, sales, licensing, or financing that would 
     otherwise be suspended as a result of the imposition of such 
     sanctions is important to the national security interests of 
     the United States.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Defense article.--The term ``defense article'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 47(3) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act.
       (2) Defense service.--The term ``defense service'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 47(4) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act.
       (3) Design and construction services.--The term ``design 
     and construction services'' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 47(8) of the Arms Export Control Act.
       (4) Foreign government.--The term ``foreign government'' 
     includes any agency or instrumentality of a foreign 
     government.
       (5) Manpads.--The term ``MANPADS'' means--
       (A) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be man-
     portable and carried and fired by a single individual; or
       (B) any other surface-to-air missile system designed to be 
     operated and fired by more than one individual acting as a 
     crew and portable by several individuals.

     SEC. 13. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.

       (a) War Reserves Stockpile.--
       (1) Department of defense appropriations act, 2005.--
     Section 12001 of the Department of Defense Appropriations 
     Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011), is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)(2)(D), by striking ``as of the date 
     of enactment of this Act,''; and
       (B) in subsection (d), by striking ``2'' and inserting 
     ``4''.
       (2) Foreign assistance act of 1961.--Section 514(b)(2) of 
     the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)) is 
     amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) by striking ``$100,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$200,000,000''; and
       (ii) by striking ``2004 and 2005'' and inserting ``2007 and 
     2008''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$100,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$200,000,000''.
       (3) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) 
     takes effect on August 5, 2006.
       (b) Extension of Authority To Provide Loan Guarantees.--
     Chapter 5 of title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-11), is amended in 
     the item relating to ``Loan Guarantees to Israel''--
       (1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking 
     ``September 30, 2007'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''; 
     and
       (2) in the second proviso, by striking ``September 30, 
     2007'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, this legislation, the 
Department of State Authorities Act of 2006, contains several important 
provisions that will positively impact upon the safety of our country 
and our citizens and promote good governance.
  The legislation has been worked out in a bipartisan way with my 
friend and colleague from California (Mr. Lantos) and enjoys, I 
believe, very strong support on both sides of the aisle.
  One provision, Mr. Speaker, would give the Secretary of State needed 
flexibility in spending fraud prevention and detection fund moneys to 
permit investigation of a broader array of fraud, including fraud in 
connection with terrorist activity. Another would allow for the waiver 
of fees for passports when U.S. citizens are caught in difficult 
situations abroad, such as those who were victims of the 2004 tsunami. 
A criminal provision provides for penalties when an individual 
interferes with a Secret Service agent protecting a foreign dignitary. 
And passage of the bill would give the President authorization to 
extend privileges and immunities to the Holy See's Observer Mission to 
the United Nations and to the African Union's newly established 
diplomatic mission to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, the manager's amendment would also establish the 
outlines of two programs under the Foreign Assistance Act. One would 
provide for greater international cooperation with friendly foreign 
governments with respect to the interdiction of dangerous cargo. The 
second would authorize an accelerated program to secure and eliminate 
particularly dangerous conventional weapons, such as man-portable air 
defense systems, commonly referred to as MANPADS. I would point out 
parenthetically that it was Colin Powell in one speech who said that 
the largest danger, the most acute danger to aviation, whether it be 
criminal or whether it be military or civilian, are these stinger-like 
MANPADS. They are very, very dangerous and there are hundreds of 
thousands of those out. They are very much in the black market. If 
terrorists get their hands on those, we are in serious trouble. Under 
the bill's provisions, sanctions could be imposed on foreign 
governments who knowingly transfer such weapons to terrorists.
  Finally, the bill would extend the duration of certain types of 
assistance we have been providing to Israel for a number of years. 
Specifically, the bill would extend for an additional 2 years the 
authorization provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 
of 2005 for the United States to transfer to Israel obsolete or surplus 
stocks in the war reserve stockpile located in Israel.
  Similarly, the bill would extend for an additional 4 years a 
provision in the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act of 
2003 to provide loan guarantees to Israel, the authorization of which 
is scheduled to expire.
  Mr. Speaker, let me just say briefly, I do regret that the bill does 
not contain an important provision for the reform of the Foreign 
Service compensation system, a very, very well-worked-out piece of 
legislation, but regrettably that was dropped from the bill.
  I include an exchange of correspondence relating to this bill.

                                                 December 8, 2006.
     Hon. Tom Davis,
     Chairman, Committee on Government Reform, House of 
         Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the bill, 
     H.R. 6060, the ``Department of State Authorities Act of 
     2006.'' The Committee on International Relations ordered the 
     bill reported favorably on September 13, 2006.
       There are certain provisions within the bill that will be 
     considered by the House today that fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform. In the 
     interest of permitting the Committee on International 
     Relations to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of 
     this bill, I request that your Committee waive its right to 
     sequential referral on this matter. I understand that such a 
     waiver only applies to this language in the bill and not to 
     the underlying subject matter.
       I appreciate your willingness to allow us to proceed. I 
     will insert this exchange of letters

[[Page 23315]]

     into the Congressional Record during the debate on this bill.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Henry J. Hyde,
                                                         Chairman.

     
                                  ____
                                                 December 8, 2006.
     Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman, Committee on International Relations, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On September 13, 2006, the Committee on 
     International Relations ordered reported favorably to the 
     House H.R. 6060, the ``Department of State Authorities Act of 
     2006.'' Thank you for consulting with the Committee on 
     Government Reform on those matters in H.R. 6060 within the 
     Committee's jurisdiction. I am writing to confirm our mutual 
     understanding with respect to the consideration of H.R. 6060.
       In the interest of expediting the House's consideration of 
     H.R. 6060, the Committee on Government Reform did not request 
     a sequential referral of the bill. However, the Committee did 
     so only with the understanding that this procedural route 
     will not prejudice the Committee's jurisdictional interest 
     and its prerogatives in this bill or similar legislation.
       I request that you include our exchange of letters on this 
     matter in the Congressional Record during consideration of 
     this bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to 
     these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Tom Davis,
                                                         Chairman.

  At this point, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, 
and yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today we are considering a scaled-down State Department 
Authorities bill, the State Department Reform Act of 2006, authored by 
our distinguished vice chairman, Mr. Smith of New Jersey.
  This legislation, while compact, contains a number of critical 
authorities needed by the Secretary of State to strengthen American 
diplomacy.
  Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this measure would provide the 
Secretary of State with expanded authority to retain fees to support 
the vastly expanded efforts of the Department to fight visa fraud and 
secure America's borders.
  This measure also includes enhanced law enforcement authority to 
improve the ability of our diplomatic security agents to protect 
diplomats and officials.
  It also provides authority needed to set in place reciprocal 
agreements that will provide our diplomats assigned to represent the 
United States to the African Union with customary immunities.
  In addition, it renews expiring contracting authority that is 
required to keep our Middle East broadcasting, Radio Free Asia and 
Voice of America programming on the air.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is strongly supported by our Secretary 
of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who has urged us to pass it before the 
conclusion of the current session.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides some timely and critical new 
and expanded authorities that will strengthen U.S. diplomacy. I 
strongly support its passage and I urge my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2330

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, before yielding back, this is 
one of the last bills, if not the last bill, that the IR committee will 
consider tonight. I would just like to say as the vice chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global, Human Rights and International 
Relations, I would just say a brief word about our distinguished 
chairman, Chairman Hyde.
  Mr. Speaker, the House just isn't going to be the same without Henry 
Hyde, one of the rarest, most accomplished and most distinguished 
Members of Congress ever to serve. Henry Hyde is a class act. He is a 
man of deep and abiding faith. He is generous to a fault, and he has an 
incisive mind that works seamlessly with his incredible sense of humor. 
He is a speaker of truth in a society that all too often is willing to 
accept cheap sophism, the plausible and the fraudulent.
  He is a man who inspires and challenges all of us to look beyond 
surface appeal arguments, and Henry Hyde compels us to take seriously 
the admonitions of holy scripture to care for the downtrodden, the 
vulnerable and least of our brethren. The ``Almanac of American 
Policy'' has written that Henry Hyde is one of the most respected and 
intellectually honest Members of the House and has proven himself as 
one of the most eloquent Members as well. His speeches, they point out, 
and I agree, are classics.
  Mr. Speaker, in abortion debates Henry Hyde remains the great 
defender of children and their moms, the champion of the most 
fundamental of all human rights, the right to life. Because of the Hyde 
amendment, countless young children and adults walk on this Earth. They 
have had an opportunity to prosper now, and they were spared the 
destruction when they were most at risk. With malice towards none, 
Henry Hyde took to this microphone to politely asked us to show 
compassion and respect, even love for the innocent and inconvenient 
baby who was about to be annihilated. In one speech on the floor he 
pointed out how important it was to be inclusive to welcome the 
stranger.
  As we all know, Congressman Hyde was a Congressman and is a 
Congressman for 32 years, chairman for 6 of Judiciary, chairman of the 
IR for 6 years as well. He has been a prodigious lawmaker, with uncanny 
skill, determination and grace. He has crafted numerous bipartisan laws 
and commonsense policies that have lifted people out of poverty, helped 
obliterate disease, criminals off the street and has been magnificent 
in the defense of democracy and freedom both here and overseas.
  Finally, one of his many legislative accomplishments includes his 
authorship of the President's emergency plan for AIDS relief, PEPFAR, a 
5-year $15 billion plan to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. 
During those committees and debates on the floor, Chairman Hyde was 
persuasive and highly incisive as he compared the HIV/AIDS crisis to 
the bubonic plague of the 14th century, the Black Death, and challenged 
us to enact a comprehensive program, which we did, to rescue the sick, 
assist the dying and prevent the contagion spreading. Having served 
with this brilliant one-of-a-kind lawmaker for the past 26 years, I 
hope Henry Hyde knows that I and so many others will truly miss him. He 
is as irreplaceable as irreplaceable can get.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good friend from California (Mr. Royce).
  Mr. ROYCE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, very briefly, I rise in support of the bill. This bill 
contains many important provisions affecting the State Department. I am 
going to confine my remarks to one section of the bill. I serve as the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and 
Nonproliferation. One of the issues that the subcommittee has focused 
on is the threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles known as MANPADS.
  These weapons in the hands of terrorists are a deadly threat to 
civilian aviation. Unfortunately, these weapons, manufactured in China, 
Bulgaria, North Korea and elsewhere are proliferating, as we heard in 
the hearing earlier this year. In 2002 a shoulder-fired missile was 
shot at an Israeli airliner in Kenya which managed to escape unscathed. 
Unfortunately, the potential exists for many successful attacks.
  The downing of a commercial airliner would take a terrible toll in 
human life and be a big blow to the world economy. That is why I 
introduced the Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006, 
which has bipartisan support.
  Key portions of this act are included in this bill that we are 
considering tonight. It sanctions countries that knowingly transfer 
these missiles to terrorist organizations or state sponsors of 
terrorism, such as Iran and Iran. MANPADS in the hands of terrorists is 
a serious threat that warrants a serious response. This bill puts 
producing and proliferating countries on notice. I urge its passage.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6060, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having 
responded

[[Page 23316]]

in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, 
was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________