OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act

Floor Speech

Date: June 4, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 8282.

I realize the pattern here. When my Republican colleagues can't legislate, they decide they are going to score cheap points using three primary tools: fear-mongering, punishing, and silencing.

I want to break down a little bit of this bill today.

Fear-mongering: The bill invokes the protection of United States military personnel. Now, let me clarify. U.S. military personnel are not subject to the ICC because the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, which I find shameful.

Punishing: The bill would impose sanctions against anyone who aids the ICC in investigating, detaining, arresting, or prosecuting anyone who has not consented to the court's jurisdiction. Let me clarify. Let me make a point of clarification here. The bill would weaponize sanctions against major U.S. allies who support the court, allies like Germany, France, the U.K., Japan, and countless others.

Silencing: How? If enacted, no funding may be used for the International Criminal Court. Another point of clarification: Those efforts would weaken the ICC, and that makes us all less safe.

It is important we remember why the ICC exists, as defined by the Rome Statute: ``Mindful that during this century, millions of children, women, and men have been victims of unimaginable atrocities that deeply shock the conscience of humanity.''

It recognizes that ``such grave crimes threaten the peace, security, and well-being of the world,'' and it is ``determined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes and, thus, to contribute to the prevention of such crimes.''

I stand in opposition to this resolution because we need the ICC.

In the last 241 days, thousands have been victims of unimaginable atrocities, and Netanyahu's violations of international law have threatened the peace of the world.

I am determined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward