[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRESS ACTS TO OVERHAUL FOREIGN AID POLICY

  (Mr. JONES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, this week, Congress has the opportunity to 
vote on legislation which would put American interests first. The 
American Overseas Interests Act overhauls our Nation's foreign aid 
policy to reflect our foreign policy and national security interests in 
the 1990's, not the 1950's. It defends our national security and 
supports our trade and economic interests while balancing the budget 
for our children's future.
  We draw a line between offering a helping hand to countries which 
support us and countries who choose to work against our interests. We 
send a bold statement to our enemies by cutting off funds to countries 
that spy on us, provide weapons to terrorist states and consistently 
vote against us in the United Nations.
  Most importantly, it eliminates three foreign policy agencies and 
cuts foreign aid spending by nearly $1 billion. Finally, it sends a 
message to neighbors around the world that we know ``we cannot buy 
friendship.''

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