AMENDING DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S REWARDS PROGRAM; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 196

<!-- -->

{time} 1545

AMENDING DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S REWARDS PROGRAM

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the

bill (\[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/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:

\[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/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

\\\[\\\[\[Page\](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-166/house-section/page/H5922) \[H5922\](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-166/house-section/page/H5922)\\\]\\\]

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.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New

York (Mr. Espaillat) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson)

each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

General Leave

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and

to include any extraneous material on \[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4802).

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the

gentleman from New York?

There was no objection.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may

consume.

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. I am

pleased to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time

as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of another bill I introduced

with my friend and subcommittee colleague Chairman Ted Deutch from

Florida, \[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/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. \[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/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.

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.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the

gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat) that the House suspend the

rules and pass the bill, \[H.R. 4802\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4802).

The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the

rules were suspended and the bill was passed.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

&nbsp;