Amending Department of State's Rewards Program

Floor Speech

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Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4802) to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to authorize rewards under the Department of State's rewards program relating to information regarding individuals or entities engaged in activities in contravention of United States or United Nations sanctions, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4802

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE REWARDS PROGRAM.

Subsection (b) of section 36 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2708) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (11), by striking ``or'' after the semicolon at the end;

(2) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(13) the identification or location of an individual or entity that--

``(A) knowingly, directly or indirectly, imports, exports, or reexports to, into, or from any country any goods, services, or technology controlled for export by the United States because of the use of such goods, services, or technology in contravention of a United States or United Nations sanction; or

``(B) knowingly, directly or indirectly, provides training, advice, or other services or assistance, or engages in significant financial transactions, relating to any such goods, services, or technology in contravention of such sanction.''.

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Mr. ESPAILLAT. 4802.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure and want to thank the authors, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Deutch, for their hard work and leadership.

Since its establishment in 1984, the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program has awarded more than $150 million to those who help the United States Government bring terrorists and criminals to justice.

Over the years, we have expanded the scope of this effort, offering rewards related to a wider range of crimes and ensnaring more people who mean Americans harm. This legislation would add more and more tools to the toolbox.

This bill was inspired by a former Syrian diplomat and defector named Bassam Barabandi. As an employee of the Syrian Embassy here in Washington, D.C., he worked with antiregime activists to provide passports to critics of Bashar al-Assad, and for years after his defection, Barabandi supplied the United States Government with information on Syrian oligarchs close to the Assad regime. This includes information on Samer Foz, who was ultimately the target of American sanctions.

We want to incentivize more people like Mr. Barabandi to come forward with information that will ultimately enhance compliance with the U.S. and international sanctions, increase confidence in the rule of law, and bring to justice criminals and rogue regimes seeking to circumvent U.S. law.

This bill expands the Rewards for Justice Program by authorizing rewards for individuals who provide information on those who evade the United States' and the United Nations' sanctions.

This is a smart bill that builds on a successful program.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of another bill I introduced with my friend and subcommittee colleague Chairman Ted Deutch from Florida, H.R. 4802.

This bill will expand the Rewards for Justice Program at the State Department to authorize rewards for individuals coming forward with information on sanctions evasion practices.

The bill was inspired by Bassam Barabandi, a courageous Syrian patriot and former diplomat at the Syrian Embassy here in Washington who worked with the antiregime activists to provide passports to critics of the criminal Assad regime, promoting the best interests of the people of Syria.

For years after his defection, Barabandi lobbied the U.S. Government and provided detailed information on Syrian oligarchs close to Assad and their sanctions evasion practices, including information on Samer Foz, who was ultimately sanctioned by the Treasury last year. He has courageously authored ``The Blacklist,'' which fully documents those who repress the talented people of Syria.

Barabandi's case highlighted the need to create a clearer mechanism to incentivize individuals to come forward with this kind of vital information. H.R. 4802 will do just that. It will ultimately enhance compliance with U.S. and international sanctions, increase confidence in the rule of law, and bring criminals and rogue regimes seeking to circumvent U.S. law to justice.

For sanctions to be successful, we must have the best information on their ability to hit their intended targets. We must pass many sanctions bills in this body, but it is far easier to pass a sanctions bill than it is to enforce it.

Expanding the Rewards for Justice Program will allow us to acquire information on illegal activity that supports the regimes of Iran, North Korea, and other rogue states from the grassroots. Better information equals better enforcement on behalf of the persecuted persons of those countries. Better enforcement equals better results.

We should pass this bill and help make sure that the sanctions policies are as effective as possible.

Mr. Speaker, there being no further speakers, again, I thank Bassam Barabandi for his courage as a patriot for the people of Syria in the face of the evil Assad regime. He is currently awaiting a decision from USCIS regarding his request for asylum in the United States, and I hope and pray that the Department of Homeland Security rewards this hero of democracy for the people of Syria for his bravery.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, let me again thank Mr. Wilson and Mr. Deutch for bringing this bill forward. I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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