Condemning the Terrorist Attacks in Brussels

Floor Speech

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Mr. KEATING. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 658, a resolution condemning yesterday's tragic attack in Brussels, Belgium.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague from Texas, Judge Ted Poe, chairman of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, on which I serve as the ranking member, in expressing my deepest condolences to the victims, families, and loved ones of those affected by yesterday's brutal attacks.

The resolution before us today strongly condemns the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Brussels yesterday and expresses the sympathy of the House of Representatives for the people of Belgium. With the strength of the U.S. intelligence community, we pledge our support for the Belgian Government in its efforts to investigate and to bring to justice all those involved with the planning and execution of these deadly plans.

Belgium remains one of our strongest allies, a nation with which we have worked closely in bilateral and multilateral arenas. Belgium was on our side as an active participant in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, as a leader in the European Union mission in Mali, and as an ally in the 2010-2011 NATO operations in Libya.

As host of the European Union and NATO headquarters, Belgium-- Brussels, in particular--represents both a symbolic and a concrete role in promoting transatlantic cooperation between our two countries and our allies.

It is not by accident that the Maelbeek metro station and the Brussels Airport were selected as the site for such heinous violence. Nearby, a mere stone's throw from the Maelbeek station, sits the headquarters of the European Union and numerous government offices, including the U.S. Embassy, which is less than a mile away.

Daily, hundreds, if not thousands of civil servants and public interest sector workers cross through the station on the way back and forth to work. And at Brussels Airport, dozens of innocent travelers and family members were drawn into a bloodshed that has spread from Iraq and Syria to the surrounding region and beyond.

I visited both while in Europe last year on a security codel, and I saw, firsthand, the strong police presence providing a sense of security for Brussels residents and visitors.

Due to the bravery, courage, and preparedness of Belgian law enforcement authorities and emergency response teams, many families were spared the pain of losing a loved one. And we honor, today, their quick action and their bravery.

These terrorist attacks are misguided attempts to divide the global coalition that has come together to degrade and defeat ISIS and their affiliates. From Ankara, to Istanbul, to Beirut, to Baga, we recognize that the prominent sentiment across the Middle East identifies ISIS rhetoric and actions as contrary to the tolerance and teachings of Islam.

While this remains an open investigation, the nature of yesterday's attacks hit close to home. Whether it is New York City, San Bernardino, or whether it is Boston--where I saw, firsthand, the resilience in spirit come forward that any physical attack can never conquer--we see that same spirit and resolve in the people of Brussels and Belgium today.

The flow of foreign fighters, the traveling that they do, and the extenuating threat that they pose have been our top security-related concerns here in Congress. Congress and the administration have taken actions to address these issues and prevent the risk of such an attack here at home. We have tightened security restrictions for travelers from visa waiver countries who are known to have traveled to Iraq and Syria. We have sealed intelligence-sharing gaps between Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as well as our international partners in the intelligence community. And we are in the process of an unprecedented top-to-bottom review of airport security threats that will ensure our airports are safer than ever.

The international community, including governments and prominent organizations throughout the Middle East and Muslim-majority nations, have spoken out against these heinous attacks. With passage of this resolution, the U.S. Congress joins these communities around the world in its condemnation of the terrorist attacks yesterday in Brussels.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and just will briefly close.

Again, I want to thank my colleague from Texas.

In a Congress that is often divided, we speak as one. In a country that is sometimes divided, today we speak as one. With the citizens of the world who value freedom and abhor violence and value human life, we speak as one.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I thank again the ranking member of our full committee as well as the chair of the full committee for joining with us.

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