[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H886-H890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESPONDING TO THE EARTHQUAKES IN TURKIYE AND SYRIA ON FEBRUARY 6, 2023
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 132) responding to the
earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 132
Whereas, on February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake
struck central-southern Turkiye, followed by a magnitude 7.5
earthquake later the same day, followed by over a thousand
aftershocks in Turkiye and northwest Syria;
Whereas the earthquakes have caused massive death and
destruction, killing more than 36,000 people and injuring
tens of thousands more in Turkiye and Syria;
Whereas the United States Agency for International
Development and other agencies mobilized Federal agencies and
partners to provide life-saving assistance to the people of
Turkiye and Syria;
Whereas dangerous freezing winter weather conditions
negatively impacted rescue efforts and put earthquake
survivors at further risk after thousands of buildings
collapsed into rubble;
Whereas the Republic of Turkiye is a North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) ally of the United States;
Whereas prior to the devastating earthquakes, millions of
people in Syria were relying on humanitarian assistance, and
Turkiye was hosting more than 3,500,000 Syrian refugees;
Whereas through 12 years of war in Syria, the Assad regime
has impeded the delivery of humanitarian assistance to
civilians, including those in areas now impacted by the
February 6, 2023, earthquakes;
[[Page H887]]
Whereas the Russian Federation and People's Republic of
China have used their veto power at the United Nations
Security Council to restrict the number of United Nations-
authorized border crossings between Turkiye and Syria from
four to just one--Bab al-Hawa;
Whereas although areas outside of the Assad regime's
control have been the worst affected by the earthquake,
Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stated that any aid to victims
must go through the Syrian Government in Damascus;
Whereas Department of State Spokesman Ned Price has stated
it would be ``ironic, if not even counterproductive, for us
to reach out to a government that has brutalized its people
over the course of a dozen years now'';
Whereas the Assad regime has shamefully used the earthquake
to call for the lifting of United States sanctions, falsely
claiming that such sanctions impede the aid response; and
Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere
statistics and has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for
countless families: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) mourns the horrific loss of life in Turkiye and Syria
caused by the earthquakes in Turkiye on February 6, 2023;
(2) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the
many earthquake victims;
(3) applauds the heroic work of humanitarian aid and rescue
workers on the ground to save lives and provide care for
victims, including United States Agency for International
Development Urban Search and Rescue teams, the Armed Forces
of the United States, including members of such Armed Forces
stationed at the Incirlik Air Force base in Turkiye, and the
Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White Helmets;
(4) applauds the response to the earthquake tragedy by the
United States Government, other governments, and
nongovernmental organizations;
(5) applauds the civilians in Turkiye and Syria who have
selflessly volunteered to assist with response to the
devastating aftermath;
(6) urges the international community to support heroic
disaster response efforts in Turkiye and Syria, including
those by the Syrian Civil Defense, the White Helmets;
(7) condemns efforts by the Assad regime to cynically
exploit the disaster to evade international pressure and
accountability, including by preventing the United Nations
from providing assistance through multiple border crossings
between Turkiye and Syria;
(8) calls on the Biden administration to continue to use
all diplomatic tools, including through the United Nations
Security Council, to open all Turkiye-Syria border crossings
for United Nations assistance;
(9) underscores the need for international assistance to
reach northwest Syria to assist with disaster relief;
(10) calls for an increased oversight mechanism to ensure
that United States-funded assistance is not diverted for the
benefit of the Assad regime;
(11) urges the Biden administration to remain committed to
the protection of the Syrian people including by implementing
the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019; and
(12) welcomes the Republic of Turkiye's continuing support
to Syrian refugees in Turkiye and in northwestern Syria.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Keating) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina.
General Leave
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from South Carolina?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, America and the world have been shocked by the deadly
earthquake in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, which killed more than
50,000 people and injured more than 100,000 people.
Entire cities and towns near the epicenter in Turkiye have been wiped
off the map. Five million people are homeless, and over 20 million are
in need now. We are grateful to see such a generous and compassionate
American response. Many brave men and women both inside Turkiye, Syria,
and others from around the globe sprang into action to work
relentlessly at search and rescue operations and providing relief to
the people impacted on the ground.
At Incirlik Air Base, a very strategic American air base in Turkiye,
125 miles from the earthquake epicenter, the 728th Air Mobility
Squadron and the 39th Operational Support Squadron have worked quickly
to coordinate with the United States Agency for International
Development to deliver aid to those impacted on the ground who are in
need.
American families offer sincere sympathies to the families who are
mourning loved ones and nursing others back to health. The Republic of
Turkiye for over 70 years has been a valued NATO ally, and as co-chair
of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish
Americans, I am particularly supportive of their efforts to meet the
needs of the impacted earthquake victims.
Entrepreneurial Turkish-American and Syrian-American communities have
been mobilized to help, such as Vinnie and Nesli Senturk, owners of
Hidden Valley Tavern in Sapphire, North Carolina, represented by
Congressman Chuck Edwards, who are raising funds to help the people in
Turkiye.
Syria Civil Defence, better known as the White Helmets, have been
instrumental in search and rescue efforts, in addition to clearing
rubble and opening roads to facilitate the distribution of relief aid
by local nongovernment organizations. Their efforts saved at least
3,000 lives, despite being left alone and receiving no material
international support through the critical and crucial first days of
the response.
Impressive assistance by Raed Al Saleh and all the other White
Helmets, which he leads, has been achieved to help the people who are
so desperately needed to advocate and provide real assistance.
To make this devastating tragedy worse, Syria's brutal dictator Assad
is stealing humanitarian aid, and even worse, has continued bombing the
affected areas at least 10 times since the earthquake. There have
already been videos of the Assad regime soldiers stealing aid that is
attempting to reach Syrian communities in need.
The United Nations even refused to provide critical aid into
northwest Syria because of war criminal Putin's veto on cross-border
assistance in the United Nations Security Council after the Assad
regime initially refused to permit humanitarian aid through northern
points of entry that are controlled by opposition groups.
The United Nations should not politicize humanitarian assistance.
Even further, the U.N. should circumvent the obstructions of Assad and
war criminal Putin, which denies humanitarian aid to earthquake
victims. It is significant this resolution calls on President Biden to
use all diplomatic means to push the U.N. to get aid to those in need.
Natasha Hall from the Center for Strategic and International Studies
said it clearly, ``The Syrian Government has perfected the
politicization and weaponization of humanitarian aid throughout the
civil war--in some cases it's far more effective than a military
offensive.''
Yet, Assad, to add insult to injury, continues to lie and blame U.S.
sanctions for causing delays in aid. This is simply not true. As this
resolution makes clear, Mr. Speaker, sanctions on war criminals like
Assad, which passed on a bipartisan basis, prevent the regime from
obtaining the resources to further brutalize the people of Syria, and
do not inhibit humanitarian assistance.
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened that there has been a weakening of
sanctions by the Biden administration on the Assad regime through
permitting direct transactions with the Assad regime. This will do
nothing to help with earthquake relief and will only endanger Syrian
civilians by enriching the regime.
We are already seeing the result of Biden's weak policy this week
with Arab countries beginning to normalize relations with the regime
and ignoring the Caesar Act, which threatened dire consequences for
normalization. Despite this, let it be known that Congress will
continue to stand with the Caesar Act on a bipartisan basis and
strengthen sanctions on Assad and those who engage this barbaric
regime.
It is gruesomely clear that there is no solution to the problems in
Syria so long as the brutal Assad regime remains in power. Terrorism,
refugees, war crimes, Iranian influence, chemical weapons,
narcotrafficking, genocide--Assad is the driver of all these. This
earthquake proves the point yet
[[Page H888]]
again, American families' prayers and sincere condolences go to the
people of Turkiye and Syria.
To the brutal Assad regime and its backers, war criminal Putin, and
the authoritarian Ayatollah in Iran, there will be a message: Your
diversion of humanitarian aid during an earthquake is despicable. You
are not fooling anyone with your lies about sanctions. The U.S.
Congress stands united. We will never normalize with you. We will hold
all those who attempt to normalize with you accountable. We will not
stop supporting the people of Syria to have a government they deserve
based on democracy with rule of law, not authoritarian with rule of
gun. It is bipartisan in America to support freedom for the people of
Syria and Iran and victory for the people of Ukraine seeking to defend
their country from authoritarian governments.
Mr. Speaker, our prayers go to those affected by the earthquake. God
bless the people of Turkiye, Syria, and the United States of America.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
Hon. Patrick McHenry,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McHenry: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of House Resolution 132, related to the
recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, so that the
resolution may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 132 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate
your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward
to continuing to work together as this measure moves through
the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
Hon. Michael McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman McCaul: I am writing concerning H. Res. 132,
Responding to the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on
February 6, 2023. I agree that the Committee on Financial
Services shall be discharged from further consideration of
the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House
Floor. The Committee takes this action with the mutual
understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H. Res. 132
at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
that the Committee will be appropriately consulted and
involved on this or similar legislation as it moves forward.
The Committee also reserves the right to see appointment of
an appropriate number of conferees to any conference with the
Senate involving this or similar legislation, and we request
your support for any such request.
Finally, as you mentioned in your letter, I ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this bill be included in your
Committee's report to accompany the legislation, as well as
in the Congressional Record during floor consideration
thereof.
Sincerely,
Patrick McHenry,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services.
____
House of Representatives,
Committtee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 23, 2023.
Hon. Jim Jordan,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Jordan: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of House Resolution 132, related to the
recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, so that the
resolution may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this resolution or similar legislation in the future.
I will seek to place our letters on H. Res. 132 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration. I appreciate
your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward
to continuing to work together as this measure moves through
the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor in support of my friend,
Congressman Joe Wilson's resolution, H. Res. 132, responding to the
earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023.
This timely and important resolution comes just weeks after multiple
7.5-plus magnitude earthquakes caused widespread devastation across
central-southern Turkiye and northern Syria.
This natural disaster was so powerful that the shaking could be felt
as far away as Egypt. The numbers are just staggering. Following the
initial shaking, Turkiye and Syria have borne the brunt of over 1,000
aftershocks, furthering the massive death and destruction that has
decimated infrastructure and communities across the region. Even today,
Mr. Speaker, there was another aftershock with reported loss of death.
As of February 25, 2023, Reuters estimated that 160,000 buildings
containing over half a million apartments have collapsed or were
severely damaged. The earthquake has killed more than 48,000 people and
injured 118,700 others in Turkiye and Syria combined. Today, the U.N.
Development Programme estimates that 1.5 million people have been left
homeless.
As ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe
and as an original cosponsor of this resolution, I want to express my
deepest condolences to the people of Turkiye and Syria who have been so
deeply impacted by these earthquakes. Tens of thousands have lost their
lives and even more have been left without a safe place to call home.
As a result, once vibrant cities and communities across the entire
region have been shattered and left in ruin.
In addition, I want to commend the efforts of thousands of
international humanitarian aid and rescue workers, as well as national
entities, local organizations, and individuals from across the region
who have come together to provide lifesaving assistance to those
impacted by this devastating earthquake.
During the past few weeks, these aid workers have provided lifesaving
resources and support, all while working in freezing winter conditions,
just to get help and relief for this enormous devastation and provide
the greatest help to the people who need it the most.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud those humanitarian and rescue workers from
across the United States Government who have joined the international
community in a global response. In total, as of February 19, 2023, the
United States has allocated $185 million in humanitarian assistance for
the earthquake response in Turkiye and Syria.
As part of its coordinated response, USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian
Assistance quickly deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, also
known as a DART, which is working in close coordination with government
authorities and partners on the ground.
The DART included USAID-supported search and rescue units have drawn
domestic voluntary help, as well. It is important to recognize Fairfax
County, Virginia's, and Los Angeles County, California's, fire
departments have come to aid and help these people in such great need.
They provide heroic assistance in working with USAID. USAID has
deployed a total of 160 urban search and rescue personnel to Turkiye
who have now returned to the United States. We thank them for
volunteering and their heroic acts.
Furthermore, through its implementing partner, the World Food
Program, as of February 23, USAID had also supported the provision of
food assistance to 660,000 individuals in Syria and 900,000 earthquake-
affected people in Turkiye. In addition, 840 metric tons of USAID in-
kind relief commodities, including water, hygiene materials, kitchen
sets, and disaster relief materials were all delivered to support the
earthquake survivors.
Finally, the Department of Defense, in coordination with USAID's
Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, has air-lifted 541,100 pounds of
critical relief items, including blankets, emergency food commodities,
generators, space heaters, tents, and winter clothing.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support those efforts and commend President
Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Administrator Power for their swift
response to this disaster.
[[Page H889]]
As the international community has responded, the Assad regime has
made that effort far more difficult. For example, while the Department
of the Treasury has taken important steps to clarify existing sanctions
licenses required to ensure the transfer of vital humanitarian aid to
the region, the exploitation of this disaster by the Assad regime is
reprehensible and cynical.
I wholeheartedly condemn these efforts by the Assad regime, which
have included preventing the United Nations from providing assistance
through multiple border crossings between Turkiye and Syria. The people
of Syria have suffered tremendously under the Assad regime, which since
2011 has used any means available, including the use of chemical
weapons, to suppress the voice of the Syrian people.
(1715)
There is intense need for international assistance in Syria, and I
support the call in this resolution for the Biden administration to
continue to use all diplomatic tools, including through the U.N.
Security Council, to open and keep open all Turkiye-Syria border
crossings for United Nations assistance.
Despite barriers from the Assad regime, the United Nations has worked
tirelessly in coordinating and facilitating life-saving humanitarian
assistance efforts by providing hot meals, food, tents, clothing,
medical supplies, and personnel to affected areas. Psychosocial support
services are also being provided, as well. Child-friendly spaces and
safe spaces for women to ensure those most vulnerable are cared for are
also in motion there.
U.N. programs like the World Food Programme and the U.N. High
Commission for Refugees have also crossed into Syria at the Bab al-
Salam border crossing to ensure the people of Syria receive the vital
aid that they need.
All together, the United Nations has sent health supplies to more
than 400,000 people impacted by the earthquake and has released $50
million from its Central Emergency Response fund to jump-start the
response. The U.N. has also issued a flash appeal to raise all the
necessary funds to help meet the needs of those affected by these
earthquakes.
I, again, thank Congressman Joe Wilson for his efforts on this
legislation as well as over 35 bipartisan cosponsors. This resolution
sends a strong message of solidarity from the United States to the
people of Turkiye and Syria as they begin to cope with the aftermath of
these devastating earthquakes, and I am proud to join in supporting
this effort.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume. It is really refreshing to see Republicans and
Democrats come together as we assist the people of Turkiye and Syria.
The comments from Bill Keating are inspiring. I am just so grateful
that he is one of the first cosponsors of the legislation to show our
appreciation of the people of Turkiye and Syria. It is particularly
meaningful to me. The loss of life is inconceivable: 50,000 people
dead, 100,000 people injured, and 5 million people homeless. Actually,
in some ways I can identify. The largest earthquake ever recorded on
the East Coast was in my birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, on
August 31, 1886. Growing up
=========================== NOTE ===========================
February 27, 2023, on page H889, in the second column, the
following appeared: birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, on
October 31, 1886. Growing up
The online version has been corrected to read: birthplace of
Charleston, South Carolina, on August 31, 1886. Growing up
========================= END NOTE =========================
there in Charleston, when I was much younger, people had actually a
memory of the earthquake. It is something that has been so horrifying,
and indeed, we are with the people of Turkiye and Syria.
It is particularly significant to me where America has such a
positive role, the thought that Incirlik Air Base is
=========================== NOTE ===========================
February 27, 2023, on page H889, in the second column, the
following appeared: It is particularly significant to me where
America has such a positive role, the thought that an insular care
base is
The online version has been corrected to read: It is
particularly significant to me where America has such a positive
role, the thought that Incirlik Air Base is
========================= END NOTE =========================
125 miles from the epicenter--how close--and it is significant that the
runways were not affected. So from that, the various American military
units could work.
We want to give special credit to the 728th Air Mobility Squadron and
the 39th Operational Support Squadron who have worked so closely with
USAID to provide the massive amounts of aid for the 20 million people
who are in need.
So it is refreshing to see Republicans and Democrats working together
to see how important it is that the people of Turkiye understand as a
NATO member how important they are to the American people.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina
for his strong bipartisan support in this gathering together of people
on both sides of the aisle for America's interest. As he pointed out,
we have an interest not only with our own defense facilities not far
from that region and not only associating as he has his own experience
the devastation of earthquakes, but also a stark contrast that occurs
to the people of Syria when they find out the U.S. and other countries
are coming together to their aid while the Syrian regime under Assad
continues to wreak havoc and damage to the everyday lives of the people
of Syria.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania
(Ms. Dean), who is a new member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. We
all look forward to working together with the gentlewoman.
Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Keating for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important resolution
responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Turkiye and Syria as a
result of the devastating earthquakes on February 6 and the many, many
aftershocks.
The death toll from this tragedy is approaching 50,000 men, women,
and children. Thousands more are injured, hundreds of thousands of
buildings are destroyed, and millions of survivors have been displaced
from their homes--many now residing in temporary shelters with
inadequate food, heat, water, and medical care.
I commend the gentleman making this resolution. I commend the Biden
administration for its swift response to this crisis. Through USAID and
the State Department, the United States Government quickly mobilized
search-and-rescue teams, allocated $185 million in humanitarian
assistance, and continues to deliver vital relief supplies to first
responders.
Rebuilding from this disaster will not be easy, and the road ahead is
long. We call upon the governments in this area to support the people,
to support their recovery, and to support their rebuilding.
This resolution is a symbol of our commitment to ensuring we continue
to deliver assistance to those so gravely impacted by this tragedy.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Wilson, and I thank Congressman
Keating for his leadership in this important resolution.
God bless the people of Turkiye and Syria.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, again, it is so refreshing
to see colleagues of both political parties across the country from
South Carolina to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Actually, it is
reflective of the deep affection that the people of America have as we
appreciate, in particular, Turkiye, a NATO ally, that it is always to
be cherished because when you visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial
here on the mall in Washington, Mr. Speaker, you see the Allies who
stood together to oppose the Communist aggression of June 1950, and the
first country that is listed is Turkiye. It is an ever-present reminder
of our appreciation and then our recognition of Kemal Ataturk and his
success in creating a democracy in the Middle East.
Over and over again there is such a great affection, and the
significance of the Turkish-American community and the Syrian-American
community what they have meant as entrepreneurs across our country is
so positive.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Again, I thank Congressman Joe Wilson, the chair of the House Foreign
Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia
for his work on this resolution.
It is important to recognize that the U.S. is joining the whole
international community, again, at a time of need. It is in our self-
interest to move in this respect, too. There are countless aftereffects
as well as aftershocks that will come about as a result of this
[[Page H890]]
earthquake. We are going to see time and time again swift action and
humanitarian action. Action for support will really come back in a very
cost effective and humanitarian way to provide dividends moving forward
in the future.
That being said, too, our NATO ally, Turkiye, is suffering a great
deal. We want to demonstrate not just through NATO and other alliances
that we are there for the Turkish people as well who have often come to
our aid in areas of critical security needs.
The people of Turkiye and Syria have suffered tremendously as a
result of these earthquakes and thousands of the aftershocks.
I support this resolution to signal globally that the United States
stands with the people of Turkiye and Syria and the United States will
continue to support any and all humanitarian efforts to bring aid and
assistance to the victims of these disasters. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that
all our colleagues join together in this bipartisan effort to support
this important resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance
of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the broad coalition of Members on both sides of
the aisle with the leadership of Congressman Bill Keating who have come
together to support this critical resolution.
I especially want to thank Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Leader Steve
Scalise for their accelerating the scheduling of this for today. It is
so important for the people of Turkiye and Syria to know of our
affection for them.
The people of the United States stand with the suffering people of
Turkiye and Syria who have been so impacted by this terrible natural
disaster.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 132 is an important statement of human
solidarity. It deserves our unanimous support, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 132.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas
and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________