Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021, an important bill introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Though Saudi Arabia has taken steps to reform, its progress has been marred by the Saudi Government's brutality against dissidents and most notably the detention and abuse of numerous peaceful protesters and the brutal killing of Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident, Jamal Khashoggi.

The Biden administration's release of the DNI report was a good step toward accountability for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, but further steps need to be taken.

This bill imposes reasonable limits on U.S. weapons transfers to Saudi intelligence agencies shown to be involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and political repression until such repression and abuse of dissidents comes to an end.

In conclusion, let me be clear, nothing in this legislation would deny the Saudi Government the ability to defend its territory against attacks from external threats or inhibit its ability to defend the United States military, diplomatic personnel, or facilities in the kingdom.

It is important that the United States stands clear on these matters, speaking loudly in defense of human rights and taking action when they are grossly violated.

I ask the support of all my colleagues to vote for this bill.

House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, April 16, 2021. Hon. Adam B. Schiff, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Schiff: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 1392, Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.

I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the jurisdiction of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence under House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 1392 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation.

Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Gregory W. Meeks, Chair. ____ House of Representatives, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, April 19, 2021. Hon. Gregory Meeks, Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Meeks: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act of 2021. Certain provisions in the legislation fall within the jurisdiction of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, as set forth in Rule X of the House of Representatives for the 117th Congress.

In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, I am willing to waive this committee's right to sequential referral. By waiving consideration of the H.R. 1392, the Intelligence Committee does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subjects contained in the bill which fall within Intelligence's Rule X jurisdiction.

Please place this letter into the committee report for the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act and into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Adam B. Schiff, Chairman.

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Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, let me just thank again Representative Gerry Connolly for this critical bill holding Saudi Arabia accountable for its brutal suppression of dissidents.

Let me also say this helps ensure that the Saudi diplomatic facilities are not used as a staging ground for their efforts to suppress dissidents.

It is crucial that the United States stand strongly in defense of basic rights and freedom of expression and not allow U.S. weapons or support to be used by Saudi Arabia for the purposes of intimidating, abusing, or even killing peaceful Saudi dissidents.

I hope my colleagues will join me. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

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