[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           H.R. 3196--FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

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                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 8, 1999

  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, for the record, this is to clarify that 
the ``no'' vote I cast on November 5, 1999, against the foreign 
Operations Appropriations bill is by no means an indication that I am 
opposed to foreign aid for Israel, India, Greece, or Cyprus. Indeed, my 
voting record with regard to aid for these countries clearly 
exemplifies my strong support for them. Our country should value our 
relationships with these and other nations who are allies and partners 
for peace. In fact, I voted for the Young Amendment to the Foreign 
Operations bill because it is critical to our national security 
interests that we provide assistance to implement the Wye River Accord 
between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan. The reason I 
voted against the Foreign Appropriations bill is because we, as a 
Nation, have an obligation to take care of our own families first and 
provide them with the aid they need especially in times of dire 
emergencies. The citizens of North Carolina are facing an imminent 
crisis in the wake of three major hurricanes that must be addressed 
immediately by Congress with the passage of an emergency relief bill. 
Until that happens, it is improper for us to place the needs of other 
countries ahead of the needs of our own taxpayers.

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