Ted Yoho: “I thank Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and my colleague, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for the kind words and for pointing…”

“I thank Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and my colleague, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for the kind words and for pointing out that, just 2 years ago, Cuba was caught shipping armaments to North Korea. I stand in support, obviously, of the bill, H.R. 5484, the State Sponsors of Terrorism Review Enhancement Act. This designation of a foreign government, as Mr. Royce has already pointed out, as a state sponsor of terrorism, is one of the United States' most powerful statements as a nation that we can stamp on another country. Besides imposing sanctions, the stamp of state sponsor of terrorism labels a state untouchable to the international community. This pariah status, as pointed out, is much deserved, as these are states that support the killing of innocent people as a matter of policy. However, under current law, in order for a state to be delisted, the President of the United States only needs to certify that the country being considered for delisting has not engaged in supporting terrorism for a paltry 6 months. As Ms. Ros-Lehtinen pointed out, just 2 years ago, Cuba sent missiles to North Korea. Considering the heinous acts of violence these countries have supported in the past, we should not be allowing them to be delisted for political purposes or whatever reasons after only 6 months.…”