[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8971-H8972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REPUBLICANS SHOULD KEEP THEIR WORD AND HONOR FUNDING FOR THE WYE RIVER 
                                ACCORDS

  (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, later today the House will vote on the 
Conference Report on Foreign Operations Appropriations for Fiscal Year 
2000. I will vote against the conference report, marking the first time 
in 21 years that I have opposed a foreign aid appropriations bill.
  I am taking this action for one very good reason. The Republican 
leadership of Congress has refused to include money requested by the 
administration to fund the Wye River Accords between Israel and the 
Palestinians. This is one of the most irresponsible acts taken by the 
Congress in a very long time.
  In August, two delegations of Members of the House traveled to Israel 
and met with Prime Minister Barak and Palestinian Leader Arafat. I 
headed the

[[Page H8972]]

Democratic delegation and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) 
headed the Republican delegation. Both delegations told Prime Minister 
Barak and Yassir Arafat that we would support funding for the Wye River 
Accords. The Democrats intend to honor our word. Apparently the 
Republican leadership does not intend to allow those Republican Members 
to keep theirs.
  This is indeed a sad day. The Wye River Accords and the subsequent 
agreement entered into by Israel and the Palestinians earlier this 
month to implement Wye mark a dramatic turning point in the history of 
the Middle East. President Clinton has said he will veto this bill if 
it is passed by the Congress. I urge a no vote today and a vote to 
sustain the President's veto when the bill is returned to the House.

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