pastor youcef deserves to be free. pastor youcef must be released. pastor youcef needs to walk out of that prison, grab his cross, go to his church and lead his congregation in prayer. freely. and he should be able to do it in his hometown, in a local chump -- church and all of us, no matter who you may be on this planet, you must stand for that idea. because if it can't be for one, it can't really be for any. we have to stand together, people of all faiths, all cultures, all cultures and all backgrounds and ethnicities and say that the right to seek the divine as you see fit must be an essential component of the human experience. i also say a word of caution. and that is that the regime in iran uses opportunities to deprive the people of human rights whenever they claim that there's a threat of war looming. i urge diplomacy because i think that whenever they can claim that they're under military threat, this allows them to crack down on any dissenter and try to use people like pastor youcef as an example so that other people will not freely express

in fact, while the official charges against pastor youcef are apostsy and evangelism, the state media said that he has been charged with rape and extortion. the authorities in iran know that they're violating both their own constitution and the universal declaration of human rights in their treatment of pastor youcef and other minorities. this week the house will call on iran to respect these agreements and to release pastor youcef so that he, his wife and children may practice their religion freely and not according to the dictates of the state. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does the gentlelady from california seek recognition? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlelady from california is recognized for one minute. >> today i'm thinking about the 99% of american women who have used birth control. today i'm thinking about the 98% of catholic women who have used birth control. birth control is a necessity for many women and it is unfair that women have to pay 68% more for

youcef nadarkhani was 19 when he converted to chrissie anty.came a pastor which is a crime in the islamic republic of iran. it wasn't until he started complaining his kids were taught islam in school when he was actually arrested and sentenced to death, complaining about such things and not eaching your kids islam in iran is considered an executable crime. there has been heavy pressure placed on the iranian government by christian groups and even by the united states government because of this death warrant being signed for this man. in the past couple days the iranians said we'll not execute him for being a christian. we may execute him for other things but they haven't specified what those are. patti ann. patti ann: how does this play into the larger picture what is going on in iran right now, leland? >> reporter: iran is becoming increasingly isolated here because of their nuclear program. there is threats of heavy sanctions. we're told iranian regime is increasing number of executions. you may get into a situation where youcef become as bar