Affirming Nature and Importance of United States-Iraq Bilateral Relationship

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1062, reaffirming the U.S.- Iraq bilateral relationship.

In recent years, the United States and Iraq worked together to defeat the caliphate and free the Iraqi people from ISIS' tyrannical rule.

The American people are committed to supporting a sovereign and democratic Iraq. We have provided billions of dollars in foreign assistance to help Iraqis recover from the devastating impact that ISIS has had on their lives.

This year, the United States and Iraq held a strategic dialogue to further our bilateral relationship and discuss how we can continue to work together for our shared benefit.

With this resolution, the House is reaffirming our commitment to helping the Iraqi people and calling on the Iraqi Government to fulfill its commitments too.

The Iraqi Government needs to protect the United States' diplomats and servicemembers and hold accountable those involved in attacks against our Embassy, such as earlier this year.

The Government of Iraq also needs to hold accountable those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Allred) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Reschenthaler) for their leadership in introducing this bipartisan resolution, which I support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source