Affirming the Nature and Importance of the Support of the United States for the Religious and Ethnic Minority Survivors of Genocide in Iraq
Floor Speech
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Mr. JAMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this very, very important and special bill, H. Res. 554, a resolution affirming America's support for religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.
A special thank you to Senator-elect Slotkin, Representative Moolenaar, Representative McClain, and Representative Bergman, and, most importantly, the Chaldean community in my district and in southeast Michigan for getting us here.
I am truly blessed to be a part of this, and I am proud to have shepherded this bill through committee.
I vowed since coming to Congress to be a voice not just for the Chaldean community in my district but for all those fighting for religious freedoms abroad. That is why for one of my very first congressional hearings, I questioned Secretary Blinken about the plight and the struggles of Christians and ethnic minorities in Iraq. I believe that advocating for religious liberties abroad is vital to our moral standing not just in the United States but around the world.
This resolution authored by Senator-elect Slotkin expresses more than just America's support for the restoration of the rights and dignities given to religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq. With untrustworthy actors aligned with Iran and ISIS continuing to be an obstacle to freedom in Iraq, this resolution is a powerful first step.
To my fellow Iraqi Catholic and Christian brothers and sisters, this moment is a long time coming, but more is yet to come.
My hope is that the leadership in Baghdad hears us loud and clear today. Congress is watching, and we stand ready to act.
I appreciate Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for allowing this resolution to come to the floor. I know our Chaldean community in Sterling Heights and across the State of Michigan have prayed hard and advocated for this very moment.
Mr. Speaker, in this moment here today, with my bipartisan colleagues, we will be able to show Chaldeans here and those around the world who pray for religious freedom that our God truly does answer prayers.
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