Gerry Connolly

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

The General Services Administration has become a bit of a frequent flier with this Committee, in the worst kind of way.

For two and a half years, our Afghan allies have been trapped in a frightening legal limbo--trapped because Congress has, again and again, failed to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act and make good on our promises.

Is there a reason to believe that the engagement that the Administration and the Saudis are involved in with the Houthis has promise of any kind of success?

What are the risks of the United States now with the best of intentions, deciding to expand its military response to the Houthi attacks?

And would it be fair to say and the United States is encouraging that because of the lack of results of the alternative that was indeed tried over a 9-year period?

So if one of the goals of the Saudis was to restrict the Houthis and to regain territory, it apparently did not work, is that correct?

The one that Ms. Ledeen worked for?

That is why I introduced the SHIP Act. China is the biggest purchaser of Iranian petroleum.

So how did that work out for the Saudis? Nine years of kinetic involvement that apparently others want the United States to emulate?

I think our--you know, and the previous Trump Administration backing away with various agreements that we had has weakened our security, not strengthened our security.

We withdrew from JCPOA.

The world is more secure with valid arms control treaties.

So to your line of questioning about North Korea and Russia, Mr. Wilson and I have a bill that would expand sanctions for anyone facilitating those weapons transfers.

I hope my Republican colleagues in this body are not putting politics over our national security--our national security.

We withdrew from that one.

I think it is not only a tribute to the Korean people but a tribute to our colleague, Jennifer Wexton.

When you make a charge that a group of colleagues do not care about atrocities against Christians, I think you should take great care. And I consider that a smear.

I call on the government of Nigeria to prioritize efforts to prevent conflict before it starts and address it when it arises including by ensuring that freedom of religion is both recognized and respected.

Congress cannot simple--simply say we are only concerned about Christian persecution. We are concerned about anyone's human rights being violated.

This is the same majority that encourages skepticism, as we know, not just attacks on our health care system but even our COVID vaccination process and vaccines in general.

So, the point of many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle is essentially to kick people off health care, roll back Obamacare, attack our health care officials across this country, and do whatever they can to elect Donald Trump…

We are doing the best we can as an office to help our constituents in St. Louis as their families face these crushing obstacles, but, ultimately, Congress must act.

Giving into the extreme demands of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans is what will undermine our immigration system.

I think the American people would like know why. I think, more importantly, the American people like it to stop.