[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14205-14209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 URGING RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE 
                                 CONGO

  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 780) urging respect for the constitution of the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo in the democratic transition of power 
in 2016, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 780

       Whereas given its size, location, and diverse economy, the 
     United States has deep interests in the democratic stability 
     of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC);
       Whereas from 1996 to 2006, more than 3,000,000 people died 
     in the DRC as a result of internal and regional wars, and 
     significant violence persists in the Eastern Congo;
       Whereas a root cause of these conflicts was the decay of 
     the undemocratic and corrupt regime of President Mobutu Sese 
     Seko;
       Whereas in 2002 the United States, working with African and 
     European partners, helped facilitate a Congo peace accord 
     that included a democratic transition and free elections 
     under a new constitution limiting the President to two terms 
     by an unamendable provision and providing for the President 
     of the Senate to assume power temporarily until elections can 
     be held once a Presidential vacancy is declared;
       Whereas in 2006 Joseph Kabila was elected President in what 
     was widely viewed as a free and fair election, but many 
     respected international observers concluded that his 2011 
     election ``victory'' was ``not credible'';
       Whereas President Kabila's second term will end on December 
     19, 2016, after which his government can no longer be 
     considered the constitutionally legitimate representative of 
     the Congolese people;
       Whereas President Kabila has yet to declare unequivocally 
     and publicly that he will step down at the end of his term, 
     as required by the constitution, causing growing political 
     tension, unrest, and violence across the country;
       Whereas during the summer of 2014, President Kabila tried 
     unsuccessfully to persuade parliament to change the 
     constitution to open the way for his continuation in power 
     after his term expires on December 19, 2016, and subsequently 
     attempted to pass a law requiring a multiyear census in 
     advance of the Presidential election--an effort that was 
     dropped in January 2015 after mass demonstrations in which 
     Kabila's security forces killed at least 42 people and 
     arbitrarily jailed hundreds;
       Whereas since January 2015, in further steps to undermine 
     democratic processes and institutions, Congolese security and 
     intelligence officials have clamped down on peaceful 
     activists, political leaders, and others who oppose President 
     Kabila's effort to stay in power past his constitutionally 
     mandated two-term limit;
       Whereas since January 2015 President Kabila has continually 
     used administrative and technical means to try to delay the 
     Presidential election (including an overloaded, unfeasible 
     multielection calendar, failure to pass timely election laws 
     and release authorized election budgets, abruptly 
     implementing the division of the country's provinces, and 
     having his ``Independent National Election Commission'' 
     recently declare that it will take 16 months to update the 
     voter roll);
       Whereas the broad national dialogue convened by President 
     Kabila served as another means of justifying a delay of the 
     scheduled November 2016 elections despite the widespread 
     withdrawal of participation by opposition parties and church 
     leaders;
       Whereas President Obama spoke with President Kabila on 
     March 15, 2015, and ``emphasized the importance of timely, 
     credible, and peaceful elections that respect the DRC's 
     constitution and protect the rights of all DRC citizens'';
       Whereas President Kabila is calling for a broad national 
     dialogue that could be used to confuse the election issue and 
     serve as yet another means of delaying the scheduled November 
     2016 elections;
       Whereas international and domestic human rights groups 
     continually report on the worsening of the situation with 
     regard to human rights in the DRC, including the use of 
     excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and an 
     increase in politically motivated trials and the United 
     Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic 
     Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has registered more than 260 
     human rights violations, mainly against political opponents, 
     civil society, and journalists during the past year;
       Whereas the DRC retains a relatively vibrant civil society 
     that is exerting pressure on the government, and is at risk 
     of being stamped out due to government repression consistent 
     with President Kabila's attempt to remain in power;
       Whereas leaders of Congo's main opposition parties, 
     nongovernmental organizations, and prodemocracy youth 
     movements called on Congolese citizens to stay home from work 
     and school on February 16, 2016, for ``Ville Morte (Dead City 
     Day)'' largely to protest against delays in organizing 
     Presidential elections;
       Whereas the strike was largely successful in major 
     Congolese cities despite government detentions and threats;
       Whereas, on March 10, 2016, the European Union Parliament 
     adopted a resolution that urged the European Union to ``use 
     all its diplomatic and economic tools'' in favor of 
     ``compliance with the constitution of the DRC'' and invited 
     African Union member states to also become engaged in the 
     effort to advance this goal;
       Whereas the European Union Parliament resolution also 
     called upon the European Union ``to consider imposing 
     targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, 
     so as to help prevent further violence'';
       Whereas, on March 30, 2016, the United Nations Security 
     Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2277, expressing 
     ``deep concern'' about ``delays in the Presidential 
     election'' and ``increased restriction of the political space 
     in the DRC'' and calling for ``ensuring the successful and 
     timely holding'' of Presidential and legislative elections 
     ``in accordance with the Constitution'';
       Whereas, on June 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of the 
     Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned 
     General Celestin Kanyama of the Congolese National Police for 
     his role in targeting of civilian protestors;
       Whereas, on September 28, 2016, the U.S. Department of the 
     Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Major 
     General Gabriel Amisi Kumba and General John Numbi for 
     leading an armed group that has threatened the stability of 
     the DRC and violently suppressing political opposition, 
     respectively;
       Whereas the DRC's Independent National Electoral Commission 
     and the Constitutional Court have validated the indefinite 
     postponement of the scheduled November 2016 elections; and
       Whereas the Kabila government has stated that the elections 
     may now take place as late as 2018, potentially extending his 
     mandate by as much as two years: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) under Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive 
     Order 13671, in coordination to the maximum extent possible 
     with its African and European partners, the United States 
     should impose sanctions on government officials of the 
     Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who impede progress 
     toward a peaceful democratic transition through credible 
     elections that respect the will of the people of the DRC;
       (2) sanctions should target core figures in the government 
     of President Kabila for visa denials and for asset freezes 
     because of actions that ``undermine democratic processes or 
     institutions'';
       (3) economic and security assistance provided to the DRC 
     government should be reviewed for possible termination, while 
     preserving other, particularly humanitarian, assistance 
     through nongovernmental and international organizations, and 
     review future international financial institution assistance 
     to the DRC until the election crisis is resolved;
       (4) the President should lift sanctions only when the 
     President determines that--
       (A) President Kabila has unequivocally and publicly 
     declared that, in accordance with the constitution, he will 
     not remain in power once his term ends on December 19, 2016, 
     has made verifiable progress on the ground towards holding 
     timely free and fair national elections in accordance with 
     the constitution, and has demonstrably opened the necessary 
     political space for the opposition and civil society; or
       (B) the DRC has held a free and fair Presidential election 
     as provided by the constitution and a new President has been 
     sworn in;
       (5) if President Kabila's government meets the condition 
     specified in paragraph (4)(A), the United States should join 
     other donors in helping to support election preparedness, 
     including voter registration and supporting a level playing 
     field for campaign activities by diverse political parties;
       (6) the United States Government should support independent 
     DRC civil society organizations and media to more effectively 
     monitor efforts to undermine democracy and governance;
       (7) the United States Government should use authorities 
     under subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States 
     Code, chapter X of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, and 
     the section 1956 of title 18, United States Code, to 
     investigate and target money laundering activities, 
     specifically related to the diversion of proceeds of 
     corruption, by key figures close to President Kabila;
       (8) these authorities should be employed to target the 
     financial institutions facilitating money laundering by these 
     figures as well as to pressure the jurisdictions in which 
     they are located to monitor this activity and take 
     enforcement action as appropriate; and

[[Page 14206]]

       (9) the United States should coordinate these efforts with 
     key Western and African partners, including through other 
     financial intelligence units.

  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 extraneous material.
  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.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 780. I would like to 
recognize Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Bass of the Africa, Global 
Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations 
Subcommittee for their continued focus on the continuing crisis in the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I would like to recognize our 
ranking member, Mr. Eliot Engel, as well, because, Mr. Speaker, Congo 
is facing a constitutional crisis that is putting lives and regional 
stability at risk.
  I have been to the Congo on three occasions, most recently last year, 
and we have pressed this issue repeatedly, and sadly, Congo, having 
historically suffered some of the world's longest and most brutal wars, 
is all too familiar with violence. Now, while the Congolese people are 
trying to chart a new path for their country, government leaders are 
maneuvering to maintain their grip on power in violation of the 
country's constitution.
  Congo's constitution is very clear--the transfer of power must happen 
on December 19 of this year and the President is limited there to two 
terms. But President Kabila--in power now for over 15 years--is 
stonewalling the election process to get around the constitution. 
Allowing this crooked plan to proceed without any consequences would 
set a terrible precedent for democracy and governance throughout the 
region.
  President Kabila has shown that he is willing to carry out this plan 
by any means necessary. Anyone who interferes--opposition figures, 
human rights leaders, peaceful protesters, civil society, the media--
risks arbitrary arrest, and they risk death. More than 50 people were 
killed in a 2-day government crackdown in September.
  But throughout, the Congolese people have made it clear that they 
want elections--with the vast majority of Congolese opposed to amending 
the constitution to allow Mr. Kabila to extend his term. They are 
determined to express their will at the ballot box. This resolution 
puts the House on record supporting the Congolese people in their 
desire for a peaceful political transition.
  Mr. Speaker, the House is considering this resolution at a very 
crucial time. If no clear plan is established for a peaceful transition 
of power in the coming weeks, analysts fear wide scale instability and 
violence. We are already seeing that instability today, and that is 
threatening to send the international investment that has recently 
returned to the country away.
  The Obama administration has recognized the severity of this crisis, 
establishing an executive order which targets those DRC leaders who 
impede the democratic transition with sanctions. This resolution 
welcomes those sanctions, but also encourages the administration to 
look at other sanctionable offenses like corruption and money 
laundering.
  The political elites in Congo have long pillaged the country's vast 
natural resources for their personal enrichment. Putting that wealth at 
risk might make them think twice about also undermining democracy. That 
is the kind of leverage that this resolution intends to encourage.
  Moreover, the resolution recommends that assistance which is 
nonhumanitarian--we want the humanitarian assistance to continue, but 
nonhumanitarian assistance could potentially be cut if the Congolese 
Government does not change course and does not allow democracy to move 
forward. The U.S. needs to use any and all leverage it has to use this 
opportunity to push for timely elections in the Democratic Republic of 
the Congo.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2016.
     Hon. Ed Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing concerning House 
     Resolution 780, urging respect for the constitution of the 
     Democratic Republic of the Congo.
       As a result of your having consulted with the Committee on 
     Financial Services concerning provisions in the measure that 
     fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo action 
     on the measure 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. Res. 780 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 this or a similar 
     measure moves forward so that we may address any remaining 
     issues that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding with respect to H. Res. 780 and 
     would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this 
     matter be placed in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Jeb Hensarling,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 14, 2016.
     Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hensarling: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from 
     further consideration of House Resolution 780, urging respect 
     for the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
     so that the measure may proceed expeditiously to the House 
     floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 780 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the 
     resolution. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation and look forward to continuing to work together 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                Washington, DC, November 15, 2016.
     Hon. Edward R. Royce,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Royce: I write with respect to H. Res. 780, a 
     resolution urging respect for the constitution of the 
     Democratic Republic of the Congo in the democratic transition 
     of power in 2016, which was referred to the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs and in addition to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary and the Committee on Financial Services. As a 
     result of your having consulted with us on provisions within 
     H. Res. 780 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on the Judiciary, I agree to discharge our 
     committee from further consideration of this resolution so 
     that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for 
     consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H. Res. 780 
     at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our 
     committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     this resolution or similar legislation moves forward so that 
     we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction.
       I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H. Res. 780 and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of H. Res. 780.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Bob Goodlatte,
                                                         Chairman.

[[Page 14207]]

     
                                  ____
                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, November 14, 2016.
     Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for consulting with the 
     Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from 
     further consideration of House Resolution 780, urging respect 
     for the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
     so that the measure may proceed expeditiously to the House 
     floor.
       I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure 
     does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of 
     your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
       I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 780 into the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of the 
     resolution. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation and look forward to continuing to work together 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Edward R. Royce,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure.
  Let me start by thanking our chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, Mr. Royce, for his leadership. I had the good occasion to 
travel with him to Congo last year, and we pushed very, very hard on 
the fact that we believe democracy needs to be carried out there.
  In fact, the President of Congo, who is running for an unprecedented 
third term, which he is not supposed to do according to their 
Constitution, opted not to see us because he was angry at the fact that 
we came to Congo and spoke out so heavily, with one voice I might say, 
for democratic reforms. That has been the tradition of the Foreign 
Affairs Committee during the time that Chairman Royce has been chairman 
and I have been ranking member. We speak with one voice on most things, 
and we are more effective that way.
  I think that foreign policy, especially, should be bipartisan and 
partisanship should stop at the water's edge. So we, personally, the 
two of us and the colleagues that came with us on the trip, drove that 
message home to the President of Congo. We met with the Prime Minister, 
and we didn't mince our words.
  So I want to thank Chairman Royce for his leadership. I want to thank 
the chair and ranking member of the Africa, Global Health, Global Human 
Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee, Mr. Smith of New 
Jersey, and Ms. Bass of California for her hard work in bringing this 
measure to the floor.
  As I mentioned before, Mr. Speaker, in recent months, protesters in 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo have faced an increasingly violent 
crackdown at the hands of armed authorities. These people are 
protesting, again, the illegal third-term grab by the President of 
Congo. Citizens have been subject to arbitrary arrest, and civil 
society groups are finding it harder and harder to operate. In just 
over a month, when President Joseph Kabila's term expires, I fear that 
this instability will grow even worse.
  We want to see democracy thrive and the constitution prevail in the 
DRC, but we know forces are hard at work to tear that country's 
democracy down. This resolution sends a message that the United States 
is watching this situation closely. Those who try to undermine 
democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo won't get a free pass 
from us.
  This measure calls for U.S. sanctions on core government and 
opposition officials who hinder democratic processes or stand in the 
way of progress toward a peaceful democratic transition. It calls for 
sanctions to remain in place until President Kabila declares that he 
will abide by the constitution and step down on December 19--until 
there is verifiable progress toward holding a free and fair election 
and until the opposition and civil society groups are free to operate 
without interference.
  Lastly, this resolution requests that our government support civil 
society groups and the media so that the DRC citizens and the world 
have a clear picture of democracy and governance.
  I am glad to support this timely resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith), chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global 
Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, and 
author of this resolution.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend 
and colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, Mr. Royce; Ranking Member Eliot Engel; and Ms. Bass, who is 
the ranking member on the Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, 
and International Organizations Subcommittee, for their strong support 
for this legislation, H. Res. 780, which seeks to avoid a looming 
crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, by urging 
respect for the constitution of that country in a peaceful, democratic 
transition of power.
  Mr. Speaker, on November 19--just days from now--the DRC was supposed 
to hold elections for President and the Parliament. However, after 
stalling on election preparations for more than a year, the government 
of President Kabila has used a constitutional loophole to extend his 
rule despite the opposition of not only political opponents but also 
his country's citizens.
  In a recent poll done in partnership with the Congo Research Group at 
New York University, President Kabila had less than 8 percent support 
among his people. U.S. officials believe that he has lost even more 
support in the months since that poll was taken.
  Mr. Speaker, from 1996 to 2006, more than 3 million people died in 
the DRC, more than 4 million were internally displaced as a result of 
internal and regional wars, and significant violence persists in 
eastern Congo today--a place that I have visited. There are now 
widespread fears that opposition to the extension of Kabila's rule will 
spark demonstrations that will be met by violence by a government 
determined to maintain its hold on power. We are facing the real danger 
that the DRC--a nation that borders on nine of its neighbors and which 
makes vital contributions to the global economy--could be thrown into a 
level of chaos that will have an adverse impact not just within its 
borders but far beyond its borders as well.

                              {time}  1230

  President Kabila continues to make every effort to maintain power, 
even sending delegations abroad to mislead foreign governments on his 
intention to hold elections at the earliest possible date. His 
emissaries assured us in September that the scheduled 2016 elections 
could be held in the summer of 2017 as a result of national dialogue. 
However, Kabila manipulated this dialogue, which was boycotted by the 
genuine political opposition, civil society, and DRC's churches. The 
eventual conclusion, if this can be believed, was that the elections 
would be held in late 2018, about 2 years from now.
  However, the constitution, which prevents Kabila from running for a 
third term or changing the constitution to achieve that goal, will be 
broken if he manages to extend his rule. Even as he interprets the 
constitution to allow him to continue in office, the constitution makes 
no provision for parliament to continue to operate. So when the current 
DRC Government mandate expires on December 19, President Kabila will 
rule his country with no restraint and no checks or balances from a 
legislative body.
  H. Res. 780 acknowledges the various efforts to frustrate DRC's 
constitution and democratic process and calls for the Obama 
administration to levy targeted sanctions on government officials who 
have acted to prevent free and fair elections from taking place.
  The administration has placed some sanctions on some officials, but 
the pace and scope of sanctions need to match the urgency of the 
approaching electoral crisis. The leadership of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, the Africa, Global Health, Global Human

[[Page 14208]]

Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee, and the full 
Foreign Affairs Committee have sent a letter to President Obama urging 
him to widen the targets, and we recommended that a couple of weeks 
ago.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, time is running out for our government to make 
the strongest possible statements to the Kabila government to achieve a 
peaceful, democratic resolution to the crisis that they face. I urge my 
colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Bass), the ranking member of the Africa, Global Health, 
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee.
  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleagues--Mr. Smith, Mr. 
Royce, and Mr. Engel--for their leadership on this resolution.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 780, urging respect for the constitution 
of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in its democratic transition of 
power in 2016.
  Simply stated, the resolution calls for the United States' President 
to use targeted sanctions to address the blatant disrespect for the 
people in the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as 
evidenced by the current President of that country, Joseph Kabila. By 
supporting this critical resolution, we are helping to support the 
constitutional rights of the citizens of the DRC.
  This massive and extraordinarily mineral-rich country is home to 
approximately 80 million people. Were it not for the consistent absence 
of democratic and economic good governance, this beautiful country 
would serve more fittingly as the economic center of gravity for sub-
Saharan Africa's Central Africa region, as opposed to being seen at the 
center of political impunity, increasing human rights concerns, and 
predictable intraregional tensions.
  The violence of the last decade has adversely affected not only the 
economically dynamic and creative culture of the DRC, but arguably 
affected those countries in the immediate region, such as South Sudan, 
the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and 
Burundi. Despite a long history of authoritarian leadership of 
President Mobutu, a regime, unfortunately, that we supported, we know 
that the majority of the people of the DRC support a growing and 
empowered civil society.
  Over the past year, the country's expanding civil society 
successfully orchestrated a series of civic actions in support of 
constitutionally legislated elections scheduled for this December. For 
his part, President Kabila has used the past year to attempt, 
systematically, to undermine the persistent efforts of civil society 
and opposition parties in support of presidential elections.
  While President Kabila's intention is to secure an extension of his 
presidential term and delay scheduled elections, the purpose of the 
resolution is to help prevent the impunity demonstrated by President 
Kabila and some DRC officials. The resolution calls for the President, 
working with African and European partners, to use Executive Order 
13413, as amended, to deny visas, freeze assets of the implicated 
officials, and monitor economic and security assistance for the country 
until the election crisis is resolved. H. Res. 780 is a critical piece 
of legislation drafted to address a crucial situation in the DRC.
  Once again, I thank the subcommittee chairman, Chris Smith, for his 
leadership on this issue.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, the situation simmering right now in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo is such a good example of why the United States 
can never retreat from our role on the world stage. This is a situation 
that doesn't touch most Americans directly, so why should we be focused 
on it, some might wonder. Because anytime and anywhere democracy is 
under threat, it makes the world a little less safe, it makes regions a 
little less stable, and it makes populations a little more vulnerable.
  Standing up for democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo--or 
anyplace else, for that matter--isn't just good for the people of that 
country, it is good for all of us. It helps advance American values and 
American interests. We believe in democracy. And it helps when other 
countries practice what they preach.
  So when people on the ground are fighting for democracy, demanding 
transparency of their leaders, and trying to make their societies more 
open and inclusive, we are going to have their backs, and it is what we 
should be doing. That is what the U.S. does. That is what our values 
demand. That is what it means to be the global standard bearer for 
freedom and democracy.
  I am glad to support this measure. I again thank Chairman Royce for 
his leadership, Mr. Smith, and Ms. Bass. I urge all Members to do the 
same.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank Representative Smith for introducing this important 
measure and for being a longtime champion on African issues.
  I again want to thank Mr. Eliot Engel for his forceful communication 
when we were in Congo on that issue. Frankly, we have had the 
opportunity to talk to Joseph Kabila in the past. He wouldn't meet with 
us on this trip, although we were able to meet with the other 
representatives of the government, as Mr. Engel has laid out.
  But if I could talk to Joseph Kabila, what I would share with him is 
that we should not forget that Nelson Mandela made that decision 
himself to step down after a single term--after a single term--despite 
his immense popularity as President. And far from ending his career, 
his decision represented a transition toward continentwide public 
service. He became the mediator in African conflicts. He became a 
prominent voice on health and other issues.
  Mr. Speaker, you have seen this as well.
  I think that President Mandela's choice to step down just as much as 
his personal struggle, the personal struggle that Nelson Mandela went 
through, the combination of those two factors is what allowed him to 
continue to exert strong moral and diplomatic influence not only in his 
home country, but across Africa and across the world. If Joseph Kabila 
would reflect on that by way of example--because, tragically, too many 
leaders around this globe have failed to heed the wisdom of Nelson 
Mandela and other staged statesmen of different places and different 
times, but in this country we go back to George Washington--the result 
of heeding that, the result of violating the law in one's country, the 
result of clinging on to power when the constitution says no and 
canceling elections when the constitution calls for those elections, is 
to result in negative consequences not just for the government and the 
people, but, frankly, negative consequences for their own standing as 
human beings as well.
  So there is that possibility for President Kabila to move forward, to 
do the right thing. That is what we call upon him to do. That is our 
request. It is not too late for President Kabila and the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo to change course. This resolution supports those 
seeking an orderly transfer of power in this important country on the 
African continent.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 780, 
``Urging Respect for the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of 
Congo in the Democratic Transition of Power in 2016.''
  H. Res. 780 encourages the United States Government to impose 
sanctions on government officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo 
who continue to violate the civil rights of the Congolese people.
  The right to free and fair elections is a crucial element of any 
democracy.
  When the right to vote is curtailed, democracy cannot flourish.
  The constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo, guarantees to 
its citizens the right to vote and the right to choose their leaders in 
a free and open election.
  The current president of the. DRC, Joseph Kabila, succeeded his 
father in 2001, following his assassination.

[[Page 14209]]

  The highest court in the nation determined that if elections are 
delayed then President Kabila could remain in power until elections are 
held.
  President Kabila's term ends in December, and elections were set for 
November.
  Unable to constitutionally seek a third term, President Kabila and 
his officials are delaying elections, citing financial problems, as a 
way to retain power.
  His decision not to hold elections has led to political turmoil, 
violence and the death of dozens of people.
  Human Rights Watch reported that at least 44 people have died during 
political demonstrations.
  The Constitution was adopted to avoid the troubling onslaught of 
violence occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which, in its 
56 years since independence, has never experienced a peaceful 
transition of power.
  Wherever there is a threat to freedom and democracy, it is the 
tradition of the United States to assist, to the furthest possible 
extent, freedom loving people in achieving their democratic 
aspirations.
  President Joseph Kabila and other government officials have violated 
the rights of the Congolese people, and the law of the Democratic 
Republic of Congo.
  For these reasons, I support the sanctions taken by the 
Administration to correct these violations, and I support H. Res. 780.
  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 agree to the resolution, H. Res. 780, 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.

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