Mike Gallagher: “Today I rise in support of H.R. 3342, the Sanctioning Hizballah's Illicit Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act.…”

“Today I rise in support of H.R. 3342, the Sanctioning Hizballah's Illicit Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act. First and foremost, I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their steadfast support of this effort and their broader leadership, not only in the Middle East and as it pertains to rolling back Iran's influence in their terrorist proxies, foremost among them Hezbollah, but also as it pertains to making the case for American leadership in the world, making the case for why American leadership, buttressed by its strong alliances, is a sound investment in our safety here at home. I would also like to thank my friend and colleague, Tom Suozzi, for his tireless work to make this bill a reality. He and his staff have been a pleasure to work with every step along the way, and I think he is a perfect example of someone who is here and unafraid to reach across the aisle when it comes to doing what is right for the country. Mr. Speaker, this bill comes at an extremely important time, when Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, are making a concerted push on the ground in the Middle East against the United States, our allies, and our interests. This isn't a new phenomenon, of course. Since its founding in the early 1980s, Hezbollah has been one of the most dangerous and destructive forces throughout the greater Middle East. With the exception of al-Qaida, no foreign terrorist organization has killed more Americans than Hezbollah.…”