Two Reschenthaler measures advance out of House Foreign Affairs Committee

Two pieces of bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) recently received approval from the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The committee passed House Resolution (H.Res.) 1062, which Rep. Reschenthaler cosponsored on July 23 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) to affirm the nature and importance of the United States–Iraq bilateral relationship, including security and economic components, according to the bill’s text.

“As a veteran of the Iraq War, I understand and respect the critical partnership between the United States and Iraq as we work together to counter threats from Iran and other violent extremist organizations in the region,” Rep. Reschenthaler said. “By passing H.Res. 1062, we are demonstrating our continued support for the vital diplomatic and military partnership with Iraq.”

The resolution calls on Congress and the administration to continue cooperation with Iraq, particularly around issues the country currently faces, such as a possible resurgence of ISIS, economic crises and increased challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a summary provided by the congressman’s office.

The House committee also passed the Stop Predatory Organ Trafficking Act, H.R. 7805, which Rep. Reschenthaler sponsored on July 27 with cosponsors including U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Matt Cartwright (D-PA). The bill aims to combat global trafficking of human organs.

“Ten percent of transplanted organs worldwide are illegally obtained, often forcibly harvested from oppressed minorities and prisoners or coerced from vulnerable people,” said Rep. Reschenthaler.

If enacted, H.R. 7805 would “address this brutal practice by denying admission to the U.S. for individuals who engage in this barbaric practice,” he said, noting that the committee’s vote “is a step towards protecting innocent people throughout the world and combatting this terrible crime.”

Specifically, H. R. 7805 would authorize the U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to deny visas or admission to individuals who engage in organ trafficking, and would require the State Department to report annually on the sources, practices, methods, facilitators, and recipients of organ trafficking, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Reschenthaler’s office.