[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12663-12670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
        HEZBOLLAH INTERNATIONAL FINANCING PREVENTION ACT OF 2014

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4411) to prevent Hezbollah and associated entities from gaining 
access to international financial and other institutions, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4411

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

[[Page 12664]]



     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Hezbollah 
     International Financing Prevention Act of 2014''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Statement of policy.

 TITLE I--PREVENTION OF ACCESS BY HEZBOLLAH TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL 
                         AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Sec. 101. Briefing on imposition of sanctions on certain satellite 
              providers that carry al-Manar TV.
Sec. 102. Sanctions with respect to financial institutions that engage 
              in certain transactions.

TITLE II--REPORTS ON DESIGNATION OF HEZBOLLAH AS A SIGNIFICANT FOREIGN 
     NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER AND A SIGNIFICANT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL 
                              ORGANIZATION

Sec. 201. Report on designation of Hezbollah as a significant foreign 
              narcotics trafficker.
Sec. 202. Report on designation of Hezbollah as a significant 
              transnational criminal organization.
Sec. 203. Report on Hezbollah's involvement in the trade of conflict 
              diamonds.
Sec. 204. Rewards for justice and Hezbollah's fundraising, financing, 
              and money laundering activities.
Sec. 205. Report on activities of foreign governments to disrupt global 
              logistics networks and fundraising, financing, and money 
              laundering activities of Hezbollah.
Sec. 206. Appropriate congressional committees defined.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Rule of construction.
Sec. 302. Regulatory authority.
Sec. 303. Offset.
Sec. 304. Termination.

     SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       It shall be the policy of the United States to--
       (1) prevent Hezbollah's global logistics and financial 
     network from operating in order to curtail funding of its 
     domestic and international activities; and
       (2) utilize all available diplomatic, legislative, and 
     executive avenues to combat the global criminal activities of 
     Hezbollah as a means to block that organization's ability to 
     fund its global terrorist activities.

 TITLE I--PREVENTION OF ACCESS BY HEZBOLLAH TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL 
                         AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

     SEC. 101. BRIEFING ON IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON CERTAIN 
                   SATELLITE PROVIDERS THAT CARRY AL-MANAR TV.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State 
     shall provide to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate a briefing on the following:
       (1) The activities of all satellite, broadcast, Internet, 
     or other providers that knowingly provide material support to 
     al-Manar TV, and any affiliates or successors thereof.
       (2) With respect to all providers described in paragraph 
     (1)--
       (A) an identification of those providers that have been 
     sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 
     2001); and
       (B) an identification of those providers that have not been 
     sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and, with 
     respect to each such provider, the reason why sanctions have 
     not been imposed.

     SEC. 102. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 
                   THAT ENGAGE IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

       (a) Prohibitions and Conditions With Respect to Certain 
     Accounts Held by Foreign Financial Institutions.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
     with the concurrence of the Secretary of State and in 
     consultation with the heads of other applicable departments 
     and agencies, shall prohibit, or impose strict conditions on, 
     the opening or maintaining in the United States of a 
     correspondent account or a payable-through account by a 
     foreign financial institution that the Secretary determines, 
     on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, engages in 
     an activity described in paragraph (2).
       (2) Activities described.--A foreign financial institution 
     engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the 
     foreign financial institution--
       (A) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or 
     transactions for Hezbollah;
       (B) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or 
     transactions of a person designated for acting on behalf of 
     or at the direction of, or owned or controlled by, Hezbollah;
       (C) knowingly engages in money laundering to carry out an 
     activity described in subparagraph (A) or (B);
       (D) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or 
     transactions or provides significant financial services to 
     carry out an activity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or 
     (C), including--
       (i) facilitating a significant transaction or transactions; 
     or
       (ii) providing significant financial services that involve 
     a transaction of covered goods; or
       (E)(i) knowingly facilitates, or participates or assists 
     in, an activity described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or 
     (D), including by acting on behalf of, at the direction of, 
     or as an intermediary for, or otherwise assisting, another 
     person with respect to the activity described in any such 
     subparagraph;
       (ii) knowingly attempts or conspires to facilitate or 
     participate in an activity described in subparagraph (A), 
     (B), (C), or (D); or
       (iii) is owned or controlled by a foreign financial 
     institution that the Secretary finds knowingly engages in an 
     activity described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D).
       (3) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections 
     (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency 
     Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person 
     that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or 
     causes a violation of regulations prescribed under paragraph 
     (1) of this subsection to the same extent that such penalties 
     apply to a person that commits an unlawful act described in 
     section 206(a) of that Act.
       (4) Regulations.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     prescribe and implement regulations to carry out this 
     subsection.
       (b) Waiver.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury, with the 
     concurrence of the Secretary of State and in consultation 
     with the heads of other applicable departments and agencies, 
     may waive, on a case-by-case basis, the application of a 
     prohibition or condition imposed with respect to a foreign 
     financial institution pursuant to subsection (a) for a period 
     of not more than 180 days, and may renew that waiver for 
     additional periods of not more than 180 days, on and after 
     the date that the Secretary of the Treasury, with the 
     concurrence of the Secretary of State--
       (A) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
     security interests of the United States; and
       (B) submits to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     report describing the reasons for the determination.
       (2) Form.--The report required by subparagraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (c) Provisions Relating to Foreign Financial 
     Institutions.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than 45 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report that--
       (A) identifies each foreign central bank that the Secretary 
     determines engages in one or more activities described in 
     subsection (a)(2)(D); and
       (B) provides a detailed description of each such activity.
       (2) Special rule to allow for termination of sanctionable 
     activity.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall not be 
     required to apply sanctions to a foreign financial 
     institution described in subsection (a) if the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State 
     and in consultation with the heads of other applicable 
     departments and agencies, certifies in writing to the 
     appropriate congressional committees that--
       (A) the foreign financial institution--
       (i) is no longer engaging in the activity described in 
     subsection (a)(2); or
       (ii) has taken and is continuing to take significant 
     verifiable steps toward terminating the activity described in 
     subsection (a)(2); and
       (B) the Secretary has received reliable assurances from the 
     government with primary jurisdiction over the foreign 
     financial institution that the foreign financial institution 
     will not engage in any activity described in subsection 
     (a)(2) in the future.
       (d) Definitions.--
       (1) In general.--In this section:
       (A) Account; correspondent account; payable-through 
     account.--The terms ``account'', ``correspondent account'', 
     and ``payable-through account'' have the meanings given those 
     terms in section 5318A of title 31, United States Code.
       (B) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (i) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
       (ii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee 
     on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
       (C) Covered goods.--The term ``covered goods'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 1027.100 of title 31, Code 
     of Federal Regulations.
       (D) Financial institution.--The term ``financial 
     institution'' means a financial institution specified in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), 
     (J), (K), (M), (N), (P), (R), (T), (Y), or (Z) of section 
     5312(a)(2) of title 31, United States Code.
       (E) Foreign financial institution; domestic financial 
     institution.--
       (i) Foreign financial institution.--The term ``foreign 
     financial institution'' has the

[[Page 12665]]

     meaning of such term in section 1010.605 of title 31, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, and includes a foreign central bank.
       (ii) Domestic financial institution.--The term ``domestic 
     financial institution'' has the meaning of such term as 
     determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
       (F) Hezbollah.--The term ``Hezbollah'' means--
       (i) any person--

       (I) the property of or interests in property of which are 
     blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
     Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
       (II) who is identified on the list of specially designated 
     nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of 
     Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury as an 
     agent, instrumentality, or affiliate of Hezbollah; and

       (ii) the entity designated by the Secretary of State as a 
     foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
       (G) Money laundering.--The term ``money laundering'' means 
     any of the activities described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) 
     of section 1956(a) of title 18, United States Code, with 
     respect to which penalties may be imposed pursuant to such 
     section.
       (2) Other definitions.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     further define the terms used in this section in the 
     regulations prescribed under this section.

TITLE II--REPORTS ON DESIGNATION OF HEZBOLLAH AS A SIGNIFICANT FOREIGN 
     NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER AND A SIGNIFICANT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL 
                              ORGANIZATION

     SEC. 201. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF HEZBOLLAH AS A SIGNIFICANT 
                   FOREIGN NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) In 2008, after the two year Operation Titan run by the 
     U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Colombian 
     authorities dismantled an international narcotics ring that 
     smuggled cocaine into the United States, Europe, and the 
     Middle East, and was run by Chekry Harb, also known as 
     ``Taliban''. According to lead prosecutor for the special 
     prosecutor's office in Bogota, Gladys Sanchez, ``The profits 
     from the sales of drugs went to finance Hezbollah.''.
       (2) In 2011, the Department of the Treasury blacklisted the 
     Lebanese Canadian Bank as a primary money laundering concern, 
     alleging that it is part of a drug trafficking network that 
     profited Hezbollah by moving approximately $200,000,000 per 
     month.
       (3) In April 2013, when the Department of the Treasury 
     blacklisted two Lebanese exchange houses, Kassem Rmeiti & Co. 
     and Halawi Exchange Co., for laundering drug profits for 
     Hezbollah, it stated that Hezbollah was operating like ``an 
     international drug cartel,'' adding that the ``Halawi 
     Exchange, through its network of established international 
     exchange houses, initiated wire transfers from its bank 
     accounts to the United States without using the Lebanese 
     banking system in order to avoid scrutiny associated with 
     Treasury's designations of Hassan Ayash Exchange, Elissa 
     Exchange, and its Lebanese Canadian Bank Section 311 Action. 
     . . . Money was then wire transferred via Halawi's banking 
     relationships indirectly to the United States through 
     countries that included China, Singapore, and the UAE, which 
     were perceived to receive less scrutiny by the U.S. 
     Government.''.
       (4) The Department of Justice reported that 29 of the 63 
     organizations on its FY 2010 Consolidated Priority 
     Organization Targets list, which includes the most 
     significant international drug trafficking organizations 
     (DTOs) threatening the United States, were associated with 
     terrorist groups, and noted with concern Hezbollah's 
     international drug and criminal activities.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Hezbollah meets the criteria for designation as a 
     significant foreign narcotics trafficker as set forth in the 
     Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et 
     seq.); and
       (2) the President should so designate Hezbollah as a 
     significant foreign narcotics trafficker.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit 
     to the appropriate congressional committees--
       (A) a detailed report on whether the Hezbollah meets the 
     criteria for designation under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin 
     Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) as a significant 
     foreign narcotics trafficker; and
       (B) if the President determines that Hezbollah does not 
     meet the criteria for designation under the Foreign Narcotics 
     Kingpin Designation Act as a significant foreign narcotics 
     trafficker, a detailed justification as to which criteria 
     have not been met.
       (2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.

     SEC. 202. REPORT ON DESIGNATION OF HEZBOLLAH AS A SIGNIFICANT 
                   TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Hezbollah is engaged array of illicit activities, from 
     counterfeiting currencies, passport documents, to stolen 
     automobile rings and other illicit activities.
       (2) In 2002, authorities in Charlotte, North Carolina 
     arrested members of a cell run by Mohammed and Chawki Hamoud 
     and convicted them on various charges, including funding the 
     activities of Hezbollah from proceeds of interstate cigarette 
     smuggling and money laundering.
       (3) In 2006 the Department of the Treasury designated 
     operations of Assad Barakat, treasurer for Hezbollah, as 
     providing material support for a foreign terrorist 
     organization and noted that Barakat had engaged in mafia-
     style shakedowns and ``threatened TBA (triborder area) 
     shopkeepers who are sympathetic to Hezbollah's cause with 
     having family members in Lebanon placed on a `Hezbollah 
     blacklist' if they did not pay their quota to Hezbollah'' and 
     also was ``involved in a counterfeiting ring that distributes 
     fake U.S. dollars and generates cash to fund Hezbollah 
     operations''.
       (4) In 2009, Paraguayan authorities arrested Moussa Hamdan 
     and three other individuals for selling fraudulent passports 
     and trafficking in counterfeit money and sporting goods, 
     illegally obtained consumer electronics and automobiles and 
     then using the proceeds to buy arms for Hezbollah.
       (5) In October 2011, a group of businessmen pled guilty to 
     attempting to ship electronics to a shopping center in South 
     America that the Department of the Treasury had designated as 
     a Hezbollah front.
       (6) A June 2014 ``threat assessment'' report by Canada's 
     Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre indicated that 
     Hezbollah members in Canada are involved in organized crime.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Hezbollah meets the criteria for designation as a 
     significant transnational criminal organization under 
     Executive Order 13581 (76 Fed. Reg. 44757); and
       (2) the President should so designate Hezbollah as a 
     significant transnational criminal organization.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit 
     to the appropriate committees of Congress--
       (A) a detailed report on whether the Hezbollah meets the 
     criteria for designation as a significant transnational 
     criminal organization under Executive Order 13581 (76 Fed. 
     Reg. 44757); and
       (B) if the President determines that Hezbollah does not 
     meet the criteria for designation as a significant 
     transnational criminal organization under Executive Order 
     13581, a detailed justification as to which criteria have not 
     been met.
       (2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.

     SEC. 203. REPORT ON HEZBOLLAH'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE TRADE OF 
                   CONFLICT DIAMONDS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to appropriate congressional committees a report 
     detailing Hezbollah's involvement in the trade in rough 
     diamonds outside of the Kimberley Process Certification 
     Scheme.
       (b) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified 
     annex.
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Ways 
     and Means, and the Committee on Financial Services of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

     SEC. 204. REWARDS FOR JUSTICE AND HEZBOLLAH'S FUNDRAISING, 
                   FINANCING, AND MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
     details actions taken by the Department of State through the 
     Department of State rewards program (22 U.S.C. 2708) to 
     obtain information on fundraising, financing, and money 
     laundering activities of Hezbollah and its agents and 
     affiliates.
       (b) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
     of State shall provide a briefing to the appropriate 
     congressional committees on the status of the actions 
     described in subsection (a).
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

[[Page 12666]]



     SEC. 205. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO 
                   DISRUPT GLOBAL LOGISTICS NETWORKS AND 
                   FUNDRAISING, FINANCING, AND MONEY LAUNDERING 
                   ACTIVITIES OF HEZBOLLAH.

       (a) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report that includes--
       (A) a list of countries that support Hezbollah, or in which 
     Hezbollah maintains important portions of its global 
     logistics networks;
       (B) with respect to each country on the list required by 
     subparagraph (A)--
       (i) an assessment of whether the government of the country 
     is taking adequate measures to disrupt the global logistics 
     networks of Hezbollah within the territory of the country; 
     and
       (ii) in the case of a country the government of which is 
     not taking adequate measures to disrupt those networks--

       (I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not 
     taking adequate measures to disrupt those networks; and
       (II) a description of measures being taken by the United 
     States Government to encourage that government to improve 
     measures to disrupt those networks;

       (C) a list of countries in which Hezbollah, or any of its 
     agents or affiliates, conducts significant fundraising, 
     financing, or money laundering activities;
       (D) with respect to each country on the list required by 
     subparagraph (C)--
       (i) an assessment of whether the government of the country 
     is taking adequate measures to disrupt the fundraising, 
     financing, or money laundering activities of Hezbollah and 
     its agents and affiliates within the territory of the 
     country; and
       (ii) in the case of a country the government of which is 
     not taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities--

       (I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not 
     taking adequate measures to disrupt those activities; and
       (II) a description of measures being taken by the United 
     States Government to encourage the government of that country 
     to improve measures to disrupt those activities; and

       (E) a list of methods that Hezbollah, or any of its agents 
     or affiliates, utilizes to raise or transfer funds, including 
     trade-based money laundering, the use of foreign exchange 
     houses, and free-trade zones.
       (2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form to the greatest extent 
     possible, and may contain a classified annex.
       (3) Global logistics networks of hezbollah.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``global logistics networks of 
     Hezbollah'', ``global logistics networks'', or ``networks'' 
     means financial, material, or technological support for, or 
     financial or other services in support of, Hezbollah.
       (b) Briefing on Hezbollah's Assets and Activities Related 
     to Fundraising, Financing, and Money Laundering Worldwide.--
     Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of 
     State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of other 
     applicable Federal departments and agencies (or their 
     designees) shall provide to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a briefing on the disposition of Hezbollah's 
     assets and activities related to fundraising, financing, and 
     money laundering worldwide.
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Financial Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee 
     on Intelligence of the Senate.

     SEC. 206. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

       Except as otherwise provided, in this title, the term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Financial Services, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Finance, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 301. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall 
     apply to the authorized intelligence activities of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 302. REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

       (a) In General.--The President shall, not later than 90 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate 
     regulations as necessary for the implementation of this Act 
     and the amendments made by this Act.
       (b) Notification to Congress.--Not less than 10 days prior 
     to the promulgation of regulations under subsection (a), the 
     President shall notify the appropriate congressional 
     committees (as defined in section 204) of the proposed 
     regulations and the provisions of this Act and the amendments 
     made by this Act that the regulations are implementing.

     SEC. 303. OFFSET.

       Section 102(a) of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan 
     Act of 2009 (22 U.S.C. 8412(a); Public Law 111-73; 123 Stat. 
     2068) is amended by striking ``$1,500,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$1,497,000,000''.

     SEC. 304. TERMINATION.

       This Act shall cease to be in effect beginning 30 days 
     after the date on which the President certifies to Congress 
     that Hezbollah--
       (1) is no longer designated as a foreign terrorist 
     organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);
       (2) is no longer listed in the Annex to Executive Order 
     13224 (September 23, 2001; relating to blocking property and 
     prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to 
     commit, or support terrorism); and
       (3) poses no significant threat to United States national 
     security, interests, or allies.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include any extraneous material on this measure into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in very strong support of this measure.
  I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Mark Meadows, 
who is the author of this legislation, along with Mr. Schneider of 
Illinois and Ranking Member Eliot Engel of New York, for their 
bipartisan leadership on this critically important subject.
  Today, Israel is at war with Hamas. Thousands of rockets--over 2,000 
so far--including advanced Iranian-supplied rockets, have been fired 
indiscriminately, aimed at civilians--from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and 
all across Israel--for the past 2 weeks. At the outset, Hamas was 
estimated to have 10,000 missiles. Hamas, which has been attacking 
Israeli civilians, is also using a sophisticated tunneling network, and 
it is a sophisticated terrorist organization--but, my friends, it pales 
in comparison with Hezbollah.
  Hezbollah, the ``Party of God,'' has over 25,000 sophisticated 
missiles right now in southern Lebanon, nearly all of which were 
supplied by Iran. Hezbollah has carried out a number of terrorist 
attacks across the globe, from Bulgaria to Cyprus to India to Thailand, 
also here in the Western Hemisphere. Now, I saw firsthand in 2006 the 
work of Hezbollah. I was in Haifa as they were targeting civilian 
neighborhoods, and those Iranian-made and Syrian-made rockets were 
slamming into people's homes and were being targeted on the hospital, 
itself. Every one of these had 90,000 ball bearings. The only intent 
was to create mass casualties, and in that trauma hospital in Rambam, 
there were over 600 victims. That is the work of Hezbollah.
  Hezbollah has actively targeted the United States now for 30 years, 
and I ask my colleagues to reflect on their history. Prior to the 
attacks of September 11, 2001, frankly, Hezbollah was responsible for 
the largest number of American deaths by terrorist organizations up 
until that point when al Qaeda carried out that attack. By the way, 
these include the 1983 bombing of the United States Embassy in Beirut 
and the bombing of the United States Marine Corps barracks there again 
in the same year. Hezbollah was behind the kidnappings of Beirut 
throughout the 1980s as well as international airline hijackings and 
efforts to target U.S. military personnel in Saudi Arabia. Hezbollah 
provided the funding and provided the weapons to Iraqi militias--to do 
what?--to target American personnel and kill them in Iraq. Lethal, yes, 
but Hezbollah is also vulnerable. It is vulnerable to steps we can 
take.

[[Page 12667]]

  Severe international sanctions against its patron, Iran, have 
reportedly led to a decrease in the funding to Hezbollah, and as a 
result, this organization has been forced to turn increasingly to its 
transnational organized criminal enterprises in order to expand its 
operational capabilities. In 2011, we saw the tip of the iceberg when a 
massive drug and money laundering operation for Hezbollah's benefit in 
weapons, logistics, and training was uncovered.
  We must remember that any sanctions relief that we provide to Iran 
for a nuclear agreement will have an impact on Iran's ability to 
further support Hezbollah. In response to the Hezbollah International 
Financing Prevention Act of 2014, this bill, written by Mark Meadows, 
builds on the existing sanctions regime by placing Hezbollah's sources 
of financing under additional scrutiny, particularly those resources 
outside of Lebanon. In addition to targeting the terrorist 
organization's diverse financial network, the legislation also requires 
the U.S. Government to report on Hezbollah's global logistics network 
and its transnational organized criminal enterprises, including all of 
its drug smuggling operations.
  The goal is to improve coordination and cooperation with allies and 
other responsible countries in confronting the increasing threat posed 
by Hezbollah, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
critical measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Before I begin, the Foreign Affairs Committee is acting in a 
bipartisan way by speaking with one voice to say ``no'' to terrorism. I 
want to thank Chairman Royce for the bipartisan way that he has 
conducted this committee. We believe that foreign policy is best when 
it is bipartisan, and there is no difference here between Members. We 
all condemn terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah International 
Financing Prevention Act. This legislation will greatly enhance our 
ability to confront Hezbollah as they continue to sow terror around the 
globe.
  As the chairman pointed out, Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, 
just like its cousin, Hamas; and terrorism must be confronted whenever 
it raises its ugly head, be it in Israel or be it here in the United 
States of America. Everywhere around the globe, we must confront 
terrorism and speak with one voice and say that we will not accept it--
ever.
  Ten years ago, I wrote the Syria Accountability Act, which Congress 
passed, and it was signed into law by President Bush. At that time, 
Syria was already working closely with Iran to strengthen Hezbollah by 
facilitating the shipment of thousands of Iranian rockets and missiles 
to the group. A decade later, Hezbollah has become a more sophisticated 
terrorist organization, but their goal remains the same: supporting 
Iran's nefarious agenda throughout the region.
  Once dependent on Assad in Syria, Hezbollah is now returning the 
favor. Hezbollah's intervention in the Syrian civil war on the side of 
Assad has provided a new lease on life to the Assad regime. In fact, it 
is the reason Assad believes he is winning this war and can continue to 
kill his own people, can continue to use starvation as an act of war, 
and can continue to do horrific things to hundreds of thousands of its 
citizens. Hezbollah has also had a corrosive effect on Lebanese 
politics, holding the Lebanese people hostage to its demand that the 
country accept its illegal armed force--a terrorist army which is 
perpetually at war with Lebanon's southern neighbor, Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, claims that Hezbollah is just a political organization 
or some kind of a social services agency are simply naive, untrue, just 
plain lies. This bill exposes the group for what it is--a vicious 
terrorist organization with a global reach, including an operational 
capacity in the United States.
  The United States is responding to this threat, and last week, the 
Treasury Department sanctioned companies for procuring engines, 
communications electronics, and navigation equipment for Hezbollah. It 
is time to impose even stronger sanctions on Hezbollah. It is time to 
focus on their evolving efforts to raise money all over the world 
whether through kidnapping and ransom, conflict diamonds, 
narcotrafficking, and other criminal enterprises. This bill would 
sanction foreign banks for knowingly facilitating transactions with 
Hezbollah and would designate Hezbollah as a narcotics trafficking 
organization.
  We are currently in negotiation with Iran. Iran didn't come to the 
table because they are a good government or nice people. They came to 
the table because our sanctions passed by Congress are crippling their 
economy. We must do the same thing and cripple Hezbollah.
  This bill shines a bright light on Al-Manar, Hezbollah's television 
station, which is itself a Specially Designated Terrorist group. 
Hezbollah uses Al-Manar for logistical, propaganda, and fundraising 
purposes. It is shocking that this station is still carried by 
satellite providers all over the world. It is just an outrage. By 
passing this legislation, Congress is seeking to give the 
administration every tool it needs to confront Hezbollah in this 
dangerous world.
  I want to thank Representative Meadows for the extraordinary work he 
has put into this legislation. I want to thank Representative Schneider 
for also doing yeoman's work in making sure that this legislation is 
here. Again, it is another example of the bipartisan cooperation we 
have on the Foreign Affairs Committee so that this Congress will speak 
with one voice and say that we will never accept this scourge of 
terrorism, be it Hezbollah or be it Hamas. Mr. Meadows and Mr. 
Schneider have made sure that this is a responsible and a targeted 
bill, focused on cutting off Hezbollah's financial lifeline without 
unintended consequences.
  Mr. Speaker, as Hezbollah doubles down to defend the Assad regime and 
expands its political presence in Europe and elsewhere, now is the time 
for us to ramp up our efforts to disrupt its global logistics and 
financial network. It is a disgrace that the European Union, while 
designating Hezbollah's armed wing as a terrorist organization, tries 
to separate it from its social services wing and pretend that, somehow, 
Hezbollah's social services aren't a terrorist organization. They are a 
terrorist organization. That is an umbrella group, and it confronts 
everything. They must be boycotted, and we are doing that today. I urge 
my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Mark Meadows. Although he is a new 
member to the committee, he is a very active member on Foreign Affairs 
and is the author of this important legislation.
  Mr. MEADOWS. I would like to thank the chairman of the full 
committee, Chairman Royce, for his leadership and his kind words but, 
really, for bringing forth this bill so that the American people can, 
once again, unify against what we all know is a blight on our country, 
a blight on our world. When terrorism prevails, we must stand firm, and 
I want to thank the chairman for his leadership on that.
  I also want to echo the comments of the ranking member when he talked 
about this being a bipartisan effort. Indeed, we have the chairman and 
the ranking member taking the lead. My colleague Mr. Schneider from 
Illinois is working with us on this, and the committee staff--our 
staff--has worked very hard for many, many months to make sure that 
this is a targeted bill. Today, we have an opportunity to place a 
critical blow to Hezbollah.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah 
International Financing Prevention Act. It is to make sure that those 
who are innocent are protected. As the chairman so eloquently said 
earlier, over 2,000 rockets have gone into Israel in the last few days, 
but, today, some 20,000 to 30,000 rockets are aimed at Israel. The

[[Page 12668]]

trigger person--the trigger organization--is Hezbollah, so we must pass 
this legislation to make sure that what we can do is cripple their 
ability to finance and put people in harm's way.
  Hezbollah has many different faces. In some areas, they are called a 
charitable organization. In others, they are talked about as a 
political organization. In Latin America, they are talked about as ones 
who would traffic narcotics. In North America, they are money 
launderers and counterfeit ring producers. We have many faces for 
Hezbollah but one soul, and that soul is dedicated to, really, 
eliminating a people off the face of this world.
  Today, I rise in support of this, asking my colleagues to join me to 
make sure that we send a clear message, not only to the United States, 
but to the world as a whole.
  Some people would say: Why should we be doing this?

                              {time}  1730

  This may only deal with Europe or Israel or Syria. It doesn't really 
affect me.
  But I am going to close with this, Mr. Speaker. These words are not 
my words. They are the words of the U.S. attorney from the Western 
District of North Carolina, Anne Tompkins.
  She was talking about Mohamad Hammoud, who was a student and a member 
of Hezbollah as a youth in his home country. And he came to the United 
States on a Hezbollah-driven mission, one that he loyally carried out, 
creating millions of dollars to send back for terrorism in a faraway 
place.
  But it wasn't just a faraway place, because when he was waiting in 
jail, he ordered the death of a prosecutor who was prosecuting him, 
ordered the bombing of a courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  So if it is not for Israel and it is not for Syria and it is not for 
Europe or Latin America, maybe it is for the United States of America. 
Let's come together and make sure that we pass this critical piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague 
from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), the coauthor of this bill.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4411, 
the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act.
  I would particularly like to thank the ranking member for the time 
this afternoon and for the tremendous bipartisan support shown in the 
Foreign Affairs Committee to address one of our most critical national 
security challenges.
  The way this committee has run, both by the ranking member and the 
chairman, making a difference and taking the challenges of our world in 
a bipartisan way is most remarkable and worthy of our Nation.
  I want to thank my friend, Mark Meadows, along with the chairman and 
ranking member, for their tireless efforts on this important piece of 
legislation.
  I would also like to thank the outstanding effort of the majority and 
minority staff, along with Mr. Meadows' staff and my own team, who have 
put so much time and effort into perfecting this bill.
  The United States has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist 
organization since 1995. As earlier noted, with the sole exception of 
al Qaeda, Hezbollah is responsible for more American deaths abroad than 
any other terrorist organization.
  The legislation we are considering today would give the 
administration the means necessary to combat Hezbollah's global 
financial network. The bill not only broadens the Treasury Department's 
ability to sanction Hezbollah finances, but it also gives the 
administration another tool to go after Hezbollah for its narcotics and 
counterfeit goods trafficking.
  Furthermore, the bill cripples Al-Manar, a television station that 
broadcasts pro-Hezbollah propaganda around the area. The Hezbollah 
International Financing Prevention Act is a leap forward in combating 
the threat of global terrorist financing.
  We have known for years that the international organization Hezbollah 
has planned, funded, and executed terrorist attacks in the Middle East, 
Europe, and the Western Hemisphere. It continues to use underground 
networks and elicit materials to fundraise its global instability 
efforts.
  It has used U.S. and European banks along with their subsidiaries to 
hide and launder money out of the South American and European finance 
arenas, financing thousands of Hezbollah operatives around the globe.
  One need only look at some of Hezbollah's attacks to understand the 
true threat they pose to U.S. national security.
  In 1983, Hezbollah bombed the U.S. barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, 
killing 241 Marines.
  In 1992, Hezbollah bombed the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, 
killing 29.
  Twenty years ago last year, in 1994, Hezbollah bombed the AMIA Jewish 
cultural center in Argentina, killing 85.
  In 2006, Hezbollah operatives conducted cross-border raids into 
Israel, kidnapping IDF soldiers, which led to a 34-day military 
conflict between Israel and Lebanon.
  In 2011, reports indicated that Hezbollah was behind a bombing in 
Istanbul that wounded eight Turkish citizens.
  In 2012, authorities apprehended a Hezbollah operative planning 
terrorist activity in Cyprus against civilian commercial airlines.
  In 2012, Hezbollah bombed a bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing six 
Israeli tourists and the Bulgarian bus driver.
  Mr. Speaker, these are just a scarce few of the activities of 
Hezbollah that have targeted U.S. interests or our allies around the 
world.
  In particular, over the last 2 weeks, we have seen the incredible 
destabilizing force that Iran continues to play in the Middle East. 
Stockpiles of Iranian-made rockets have allowed Hamas and Islamic Jihad 
to put all of Israel's major population centers under threat of 
indiscriminate attack on civilians. In the last 2 weeks alone, over 
2,000 rockets have rained down on Israel.
  In Lebanon, the threat is even greater. Hezbollah maintains a massive 
stockpile of Iranian arms with greater range and far greater lethality 
than those launched from Gaza. Tens of thousands of rockets are aimed 
at Israel and could be unleashed at any moment.
  That is why, today, it is such a critical first step towards 
thwarting the unrelenting force. The sanctions included in this 
legislation will stem the ability of Hezbollah to purchase arms and 
employ operatives throughout the Middle East and the rest of the globe.
  We can and must do more to stem the global financing of these 
activities. Today, we have that opportunity, and I hope that you will 
join us in combating this pressing threat to U.S. national security.
  The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act provides the 
administration with vital tools to go after financial institutions and 
satellite providers that deliver material support and propaganda tools 
to Hezbollah.
  This important effort will result in fewer resources falling into the 
hands of terrorists, who have shown great resilience in attacking 
Western targets, in addition to the destabilizing efforts in the Middle 
East.
  I want to thank the chairman and ranking member again, along with my 
friend, Mark Meadows, for working with us to introduce this important 
legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman another minute.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. With more than 319 cosponsors in the House, I hope 
that this body will strongly support its passage, and that the Senate 
will move swiftly to enact legislation as well.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely going to reserve the right to 
close, should there be anymore speakers that Mr. Engel has on his side.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me just close. Let me sum up by saying 
that, in closing, this legislation comes at a very, very critical time. 
Anyone can turn on the TV or go online and know the region seems to be 
falling further into chaos.
  As we seek greater stability, cutting Hezbollah off from its 
financial lifeline

[[Page 12669]]

is an important step to that end. We did this before with Iran, and the 
naysayers said what Congress did wouldn't be important because it 
wouldn't have that much effect. We proved them wrong.
  Again, as I mentioned, there are negotiations now going on between 
the United States and Iran to end their nuclear program. They are at 
the negotiating table only because we slapped tough sanctions on them, 
brought their economy to its knees.
  This can be done with Hezbollah. This is what we are trying to do 
today. So I urge passage of this important legislation.
  I want to thank Chairman Royce again, Mr. Meadows and Mr. Schneider.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I will place into the Record the letters 
exchanged with the other committees with jurisdictional interests in 
this bill; Financial Services would be one, and Judiciary.
  In closing, let me agree with Mr. Engel's observation that this is a 
critical time in the Middle East, and also, with our frustration that, 
during this time, Iran should continue to increase its support for its 
patron, Hezbollah, because for those of us with a longer memory, we 
remember how much they have increased their capability to do harm.
  As a result of that funding that has come from Iran, Hezbollah-
initiated killings and bombings have occurred, to the frustration of 
our European allies, to those in Asia and those in Latin America, 
today, on virtually every continent.
  In 2012, Hezbollah carried out a bus bombing in Bulgaria--many of us 
remember that--and plotted an attack in Cyprus, leading to the European 
Union's designation of Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist 
organization.
  Furthermore, Hezbollah continues to fight on behalf of the Assad 
regime in Syria's brutal civil war. One of the things we have seen is 
missiles being brought over the border from Syria into southern Lebanon 
by Hezbollah.
  We have seen the deaths in Syria at the hands of Hezbollah fighters. 
It has resulted in the deaths of thousands and thousands of people.
  And most importantly, Hezbollah has been responsible for the deaths 
of hundreds of Americans, and that is a third reason why we are focused 
on this terrorist organization.
  We must do everything in our power to target Hezbollah's lifeline, to 
target their financing, and I urge all Members to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                     Washington, DC, July 8, 2014.
     Hon. Ed Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce, I am writing concerning H.R. 4411, the 
     ``Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014,'' 
     which your Committee ordered reported on June 26, 2014.
       As a result of your having consulted with the Committee on 
     the provisions in our jurisdiction and in order to expedite 
     the House's consideration of H.R. 4411, the Committee on the 
     Judiciary will not assert is jurisdictional claim over this 
     bill by seeking a sequential referral. However, this is 
     conditional on our mutual understanding and agreement that 
     doing so will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     the Committee on the Judiciary with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding, and would request that you include a copy 
     of this letter and your response in the Committee Report and 
     in the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of 
     this bill.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, July 9, 2014.
     Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs on H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah 
     International Financing Prevention Act, and for agreeing to 
     forgo a sequential referral request so that the bill may 
     proceed expeditiously to the Floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary, or prejudice its jurisdictional 
     prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the 
     future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 4411 into our 
     Committee Report and into the Congressional Record during 
     floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your 
     cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to 
     continuing to work with the Committee on the Judiciary as 
     this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                    Washington, DC, July 11, 2014.
     Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hensarling: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs on H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah 
     International Financing Prevention Act, and for agreeing to 
     be discharged from further consideration of that bill so that 
     it may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor. The 
     suspension text contains edits to portions of the bill within 
     the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial 
     Services that you have requested.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Financial Services, or prejudice its 
     jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar 
     legislation in the future. I would support your effort to 
     seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving this legislation.
       I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 4411 into our 
     Committee Report and into the Congressional Record during 
     floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your 
     cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to 
     continuing to work with the Committee on Financial Services 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                    Washington, DC, July 15, 2014.
     Hon. Howard R. Royce,
     Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: On June 26, 2014, the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs ordered H.R. 4411, the Hezbollah 
     International Financing Prevention Act of 2014, to be 
     reported favorably to the House with an amendment. As a 
     result of your having consulted with the Committee on 
     Financial Services concerning provisions of the bill that 
     fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to discharge our 
     committee from further consideration of the bill so that it 
     may proceed expeditiously to the House Floor.
       The Committee on Financial Services takes this action with 
     our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of 
     H.R. 4411, as amended, at this time, we do not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or 
     similar legislation, and that our committee will be 
     appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar 
     legislation moves forward so that we may address any 
     remaining issues that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. 
     Our committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of 
     an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and 
     requests your support for any such request.
       Finally, I appreciate your July 11 letter confirming this 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 4411, as amended, and your 
     inclusion of a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter 
     be included in your committee's report to accompany the 
     legislation and in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Jeb Hensarling
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
4411, the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act.
  The bill has more than 300 co-sponsors and is truly a bipartisan 
effort.
  I commend my colleague from North Carolina, Mr. Meadows for leading 
this legislation.
  Hezbollah is a militant group that has been designated by the U.S. 
and E.U. governments as a terrorist organization.
  As part of our counter-terrorism operations, the U.S. continues to 
fight the flow of funding to organizations that have dedicated 
themselves to the destabilization of democracy.
  For the record, it is important to recall all the atrocities that 
Hezbollah has perpetrated against the U.S. and its allies, including 
Israel.

[[Page 12670]]

  Hezbollah actions include:
  Suicide truck bombings targeting U.S. and French forces in Beirut (in 
1983 and 1984)
  Targeting U.S. forces again in Saudi Arabia (in 1996),
  Suicide bombing attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli interests such 
as those in Argentina (1992 and 1994) and in Thailand (attempted in 
1994), and
  Many other plots targeting American, French, German, British citizens 
from Europe to Southeast Asia to the Middle East.
  We must continue our efforts to stem the tide against organizations 
like Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations but cutting off 
funding and targeting their key money-making industries like narco-
trafficking.
  I continue to support efforts like H.R. 4411 and I urge my colleagues 
to do the same.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4411.
  My amendment to the bill that passed in committee encourages the 
State Department to go after Hezbollah's money.
  It does this by pushing the State Department to use its Rewards 
Program is an old-fashioned idea. It's like putting out a reward on a 
wanted poster. If we get good information that can be used for an 
arrest or conviction of a Hezbollah member, we're willing to pay a 
reward.
  This is a strategy that works.
  The Rewards Program paid $2 million to a source who helped reveal the 
location of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center 
bombing. Yousef was arrested in 1995.
  All too often, the challenge with going after the finances of 
terrorist groups is knowing where they get their money and how they 
move it.
  This bill will help bring more of that important information to light 
so we can seize Hezbollah's money and stop their evildoing ways.
  And that is just the way it is.
  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support of 
the Hezbollah Financing Prevention Act of 2014. Hezbollah has killed 
more Americans than any terrorist group other than Al-Qaeda, and it 
threatens Israel and America daily. Hezbollah has a far larger and more 
sophisticated rocket arsenal than Hamas, and it is now offering to 
support Hamas in its current, ongoing terrorist actions against Israel. 
This great threat of rockets is the reason the House increased iron 
dome funding for FY15 at the request of me and Mr. Roskam of Illinois.
  But it's sanctions that have emerged as America's most powerful 
deterrent against bad actors in the world. And as we draw down 
militarily from the Middle East, we must aggressively pursue sanctions 
against sponsors of terrorism. That's what the bill before us today 
does. This legislation will help us cut off Hezbollah from the 
international financial system and cripple Hezbollah's media 
operations.
  The bill also contains an amendment drafted by Mr. DeSantis, Mr. 
Deutch and me that will enable the disruption of Hezbollah's global 
logistics networks and its fundraising and money-laundering activities. 
Our amendment also requires the Obama administration to shed light on 
those countries that either overtly or covertly enable any sort of 
Hezbollah activities within their borders. This provision is 
particularly important in the Hezbollah context, because there are far 
too many countries that outwardly condemn Hezbollah's military and 
terrorist activities while privately fostering environments where 
Hezbollah can operate politically and financially. Well no more, not if 
you want to do business with the United States.
  I thank Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Deutch for their leadership and 
partnership, the sponsors of the bill--Mr. Meadows, Mr. Schneider, Mr. 
Royce, and Mr. Engel--for crafting such important legislation, and 
committee staff for all their hard work in putting it all together.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4411, 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. ROYCE. 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 motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________