the conviction and sentencing of 2 american journalists in kong yang. as secretary clinton said, we appeal to north korean authorities on humanitarian grounds to release these 2 women and return them to their families. due to privacy considerations i am not able to answer questions about citizens in this public hearing but the department of state and the secretary of state appreciate the interest we receive from members of congress. we are pursuing every possible approach in order to persuade the north koreans to release and send these women home. i look forward to the question of the committee. >> will there be an opportunity for the committee to be briefed in an executive session with regard to the detainees? >> the easiest thing will be on telephone, i am confident you'll get your briefing or call the ambassador outside the proceeding. i see we have a vote that has started. what i think we will do if you are willing. we could not interrupt the proceedings. thank you. i want to see if we can flush this out of a little bit. we talk about consequences,

the united states needs to take a central role in determining how to engage peon yang and send a message, north korea cannot use illicit weapons programs, nor can it arrest american citizens on trumped up charges and fined them guilty in a closed before trial. these will invite further isolation, greater hardship for the north korean people and continued rejection by the international community. president obama is seeking to engage meaningfully on this issue ended restoration is working with many of our friends and allies in the region to craft a strong multilateral response. the stakes are too high for and uncoordinated policy. we must make clear that violation of international law and basic human rights have serious consequences. i believe north korea continues to be a critical threat to our national security and the security of friends and allies in the region. we have to prioritize this issue as long as north korea continues these provocative and dangerous actions. you recently quoted as saying, quote, is not useful to persuade north koreans to do what they don't want to do, they wil

. -- many, many of his thoughts, yang of one that's not incorporated in the legislation one way or the other, he was a former commirm of the subcommittee and his insight is particularly beneficial. we appreciate that contribution. i support the rule, mr. speaker, and hope that our colleagues will as well. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back he balance of his time. the gentleman from florida. mr. diaz-balart: we reserve the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york. mr. arcuri: i yield three minutes to the gentlewoman from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for three minutes. ms. jackson lee: again, i would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from new york for his ongoing leadership and that of the rule committees. i join with the chairman of the subcommittee on c.g. -- c.j.s. in congratulating the rules committee for constructing this -- this rule but i also congratulate chairman mollohan and ranking member wolf for a constructive overview of important issues that as a member of

to organize, and a part of that has to do with the fact that he has to articulate to the eye rape yang regime -- iranian regime a deal, any other deal is not unequivocally supported by the west. there are things that could derail that deal such as brutality on the part of the regime towards the people, such as, you know, another tee tianan square, this time in tehran. i think it's very important for us not to ignore the human terrain. >> jim? >> i would just say that i think i would tell the president that the goals that he's set for the engagement strategy could only be accomplished in the event of a change of regime because i think this regime is committed to attaining a nuclear weapon which it sees as a way of preserving itself in power because it fears its own people for good reason. and secondly, if i expect the administration will continue on its engagement strategy regardless, and i would say it's important to set a deadline on that because otherwise iran will just run out the clock and, you know, kind of engage in pseudo negotiations. and thirdly, i think that, you know, presid