[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2002 AND 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 16, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1646) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of State for 
     fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this authorization 
bill, which includes many important State Department priorities 
including funding for our diplomatic and Consular programs, embassy 
security, international peacekeeping activities, and migration and 
refugee assistance. I am also pleased that this measure also authorizes 
the release of the second and third installments of $926 million in 
back payments of arrears to the United Nations.
  While I supported passage of the underlying bill, I have strong 
concerns about a number of the amendments offered, and the lack of 
consideration for an important amendment I attempted to offer to this 
bill. I am particularly concerned, and strongly opposed the Hyde-Smith 
amendment which would reinstate the so-called ``global gag rule.'' This 
heavy-handed policy not only prevents overseas non-governmental 
organizations from using their own separate funds to provided 
information on the full range of family planning options, but forces 
them to withhold information on the abortion option. Moreover, this 
policy constrains such NGOs from engaging in any public debate on the 
abortion issue. Mr. Chairman, this policy does not block U.S. funds 
from being spent on abortions. The fact is, not since 1973, has U.S. 
aid been used to fund abortions. This undemocratic policy simply 
disqualifies otherwise qualified overseas groups from eligibility for 
U.S. family planning aid for engaging in speech-related activities that 
are at the heart of the U.S. political system and constitutionally 
protected for U.S. citizens. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful 
that our colleagues in the Senate will vote to remove this misguided 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I would also like to express my disappointment that the 
Committee on Rules did not make in order a very important amendment 
that I had planned to offer to the State Department Authorization bill. 
Under the amendment, which I have introduced as a separate bill, H.R. 
1338, the Secretary of State would be required to designate an existing 
Assistant Secretary of State to monitor efforts to bring justice to 
U.S. victims of terrorism abroad. Each year, hundreds of thousands of 
U.S. citizens work and travel overseas, including a growing number of 
U.S. employees who work for the energy industry, including many in my 
home state of Texas. Because of the confusing blend of 
multijurisdictional concerns, U.S. victims of terrorism and their 
families are often unable to obtain justice, even when the 
perpetrator's whereabouts are known by Federal authorities.
  Under this measure, the Assistant Secretary of State would be 
required to work directly with the Justice Department and other 
applicable Federal agencies to identify and track terrorists living 
abroad who have killed Americans or who are engaged in acts of 
terrorism that have directly affected American citizens. In addition, 
the Assistant Secretary would provide an annual
  I also strongly supported passage of the amendment offered by my 
colleague, HIRC Ranking Member Tom Lantos, to prohibit International 
Military Education and Training (IMET) funds for Lebanon's military 
forces unless the President certifies that the Lebanese Army has 
deployed to the internationally recognized border with Israel. One year 
ago, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Lebanon, and the UN subsequently 
certified Israel's pull-out as complete, and called on the Lebanese 
government to take control of its southern region. However, Israel 
continues to face attacks, kidnappings and the threat of rocket attacks 
from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah terrorists, with the support of Syria 
and Iran continue to operate freely in Southern Lebanon because the 
government of Lebanon refuses to assert its authority in the region, as 
called for by the UN Security Council Resolution. I strongly support 
this amendment, which would block IMET funding to the Lebanese 
military, but does not block any other assistance. It simply mandates a 
Presidential report in six months about a possible termination of 
economic assistance. While I understand the concern of those who 
believe this amendment will embolden Hezbollah and increase Syrian 
influence in Lebanon, tens of thousands of Israeli citizens are within 
range of Hezbollah rockets and kidnappers, and the U.S. must take steps 
to ensure that the Lebanese government takes firm control of its own 
territory.
  Mr. Chairman, the State Department Authorization bill helps fund some 
of the most critical programs administered by the State Department. I 
regret that the bipartisan-supported language stripping the Mexico City 
provisions was included in the final version of the bill we approved in 
this chamber. However, whenever possible, I believe Congress should 
stand in support of an Administration's foreign policy agenda. I 
believe that the underlying bill makes good on our commitment to fund 
many critical priorities. That is why I believe that amendments such as 
those that would disqualify legal medical services had no place in this 
bill. The Mexico City policy is not the way to cease abortions, and I 
hope that the original language--which was approved by the House 
Committee on International Relations without this provision--will be 
reinstated by the time this bill is delivered to the President's desk.

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