[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E648-E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         STATEMENT ON H.R. 4681

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, would like to enter into the 
record my views on a bill that was marked-up in the International 
Relations Committee on April 6, 2006, H.R. 4681, The Palestinian Anti-
Terrorism Act of 2006. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to 
Chairman Henry Hyde for his wisdom and determined effort to temper H.R. 
4681 to reflect the shared commitment of members of the U.S. House to 
ensure Israel's security, combat terrorism and work towards a peaceful 
two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people. Despite 
Chairman Hyde's noblest efforts, I unfortunately believe the substance 
of the legislation as put before the committee will not help the U.S. 
advance our vital interests in the Middle East and therefore I cannot 
support the bill in its current form.
  Among our colleagues in the U.S. House, there is unanimous 
intolerance and condemnation for the Hamas-led government of the 
Palestinian Authority. The refusal of the political leadership of Hamas 
to recognize the State of Israel, renounce violence and terrorism, and 
agree to previous agreements and obligations of the Palestinian 
Authority is unacceptable and therefore they must be isolated by the 
international community. Congress should be extending our support for 
the Bush administration's current position of leading the international 
community to keep firm pressure on Hamas until they agree to an 
internationally recognized civilized standard of conduct. At the same 
time, Congress must work with the administration and the international 
community to avoid a serious humanitarian crisis among the Palestinian 
people.
  Unfortunately, instead of advancing the U.S. interests, H.R. 4681 
does not recognize the three criteria set forth by President Bush for 
engagement with the U.S. H.R. 4681 sets an elevated threshold which 
will make engagement nearly impossible even if Hamas does agree to 
recognize Israel, renounce terrorism and agree to abide by all previous 
agreements. The policy outcome of H.R. 4681 would not only isolate 
Palestinian leaders who have been committed to advancing the peace 
process, have denounced terrorism and are working with Israel for a 
permanent two-state solution, it will result in the isolation of the 
U.S. among members of the international community that are working for 
a peaceful and just solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
  This bill also places extreme constraints on the delivery of 
humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people which has the 
potential for very negative human consequences. Palestinian families 
and children must not be targeted for deprivation of their basic human 
needs, but instead treated in a fashion that reflects our values and 
the belief that their lives are valued. Non-governmental organizations 
(representing many of our faith communities) with significant 
experience delivering humanitarian assistance have expressed serious 
concerns regarding the lack of flexibility in H.R. 4681. An April 6, 
2006 letter from the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops to 
Chairman Hyde expressing concerns regarding the substitute amendment to 
H.R. 4681 states, ``the legislation should provide for the urgent needs 
of the Palestinian people. A further deterioration of the humanitarian 
and economic situation of the Palestinian people compromises human 
dignity and serves the long term interests neither of Palestinians nor 
of Israelis who long for a just peace.''

  Mr. Speaker, I am submitting the text of the letter from the Catholic 
Bishops Conference for the record as well.
  In it present form, this bill will not allow NGOs to properly carry 
out the very assistance determined to be necessary by the Secretary of 
State. It would be my hope that this is not an attempt to intentionally 
make it prohibitively difficult for NGOs to fulfill their contracts, 
thus ensuring suffering and misery among the Palestinian people, but 
rather a failure in drafting the bill that can be remedied as the 
legislative process proceeds.
  The inclusion of the section of the bill targeting the United Nations 
agencies and programs, section 4, is very disappointing and clearly not 
intended to advance the peace process or the well-being of Israelis or 
Palestinians. The United Nations, as a member of the Quartet, has a 
vital role to play in ensuring humanitarian needs are met. To target a 
member of the Quartet in such a fashion is a clear sign that this bill 
is intended to undermine the Bush administration's multilateral 
leadership. This section has no positive effect on the policy goal 
stated in section 2 of the bill and will likely isolate the U.S. in the 
future. This entire section of the bill must be removed.
  There are other aspects of this bill which I disagree with because I 
believe they harm U.S. interests. Fortunately, some of my remaining 
concerns regarding the bill are appropriately addressed in S. 2370, as 
introduced in the U.S. Senate, which I feel provides the President 
appropriate flexibility to positively advance U.S. interests with 
regard to the Palestinian Authority and the peace process.
  Finally, my opposition to H.R. 4681 is based on policy grounds that 
reflect my support for a Middle East peace process which will 
ultimately yield security and freedom from terrorism for the people of 
Israel and a democratic, secure and peaceful Palestinian state. H.R. 
4681, in its current form, will result in no greater security or 
opportunities for peace than exist today with current law and the 
administration's present policy course, but may in fact have the result 
of destabilizing the current situation while fueling a humanitarian 
crisis. It would be my hope that this legislation will be amended and 
improved as the process moves forward. Advancing this bill in its 
current form undermines U.S. interests, exacerbates a potential 
humanitarian crisis and has potential long-term negative consequences 
for the Israeli people and the Palestinians. In its current form, I 
must oppose H.R. 4681.

         Department of Social Development and World Peace,
                                    Washington, DC, April 6, 2006.
     Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman, Committee on International Relations, House of 
         Representatives, 2110 Rayburn House Office Building, Room 
         2170, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On behalf of the United States 
     Conference of Catholic Bishops, I write to express the 
     bishops' concerns regarding the Amendment in the Nature of a 
     Substitute to H.R. 4681, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act 
     of 2006.
       The bishops' perspective on this legislation is shaped by 
     two overriding concerns. First, H.R. 4681 should be measured 
     in light of the ultimate goal of promoting a two-state 
     solution that provides security for Israel and a viable state 
     for the Palestinians, two states living alongside one another 
     in peace. Second, the legislation should provide for the 
     urgent needs of the Palestinian people. A further 
     deterioration of the humanitarian and economic situation of 
     the Palestinian people compromises human dignity and serves 
     the long term interests neither of Palestinians nor of 
     Israelis who long for a just peace.
       Mr. Chairman, the bishops are grateful that the language of 
     the substitute now acknowledges the goal of a two-state 
     solution, but we remain profoundly concerned that some of the 
     provisions of the bill would directly undermine this goal. 
     For example, the legislation rightly calls upon Hamas to 
     renounce terrorism, recognize Israel and accept prior 
     agreements, including the Road Map, but then forbids contact 
     with the Palestinian Authority, ``including the Palestinian 
     Legislative Council'' (page 9, lines 15-16) despite the fact 
     that many members of the Council are not members of Hamas or 
     a Foreign Terrorist Organization and have, in fact, renounced 
     terrorism, recognized Israel and supported past agreements. 
     Similarly, in section 7 and 8 the travel and representation 
     of officials of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) 
     in the United States is restricted despite the fact that the 
     PLO has renounced terrorism, recognized Israel and negotiated 
     the prior agreements. These actions curtail contact with 
     moderate Palestinian leaders whose support and cooperation 
     are crucial for pursuing a two state solution.
       The bishops appreciate the steps you have taken to improve 
     section 3 of the legislation, (e.g., the shortening of 
     notification provisions). However, we remain profoundly 
     concerned with the narrow definition of the exception to 
     limitations on aid to Gaza and the West Bank in subsection 
     (d). Especially given the deepening poverty and unemployment 
     in the Palestinian territories, the exception ought to 
     include more than the provision of services to meet ``basic 
     human health needs.'' The basic human needs of the 
     Palestinian people as they fall into deeper poverty 
     include: ``education, job training, psycho-social 
     counseling and other humanitarian needs.'' The bishops' 
     relief and development agency, Catholic Relief Services, 
     reports that their assistance programs in the Palestinian 
     Territories could be severely curtailed or ended under the 
     proposed legislation. Other reputable, Non-Governmental 
     Organizations (NGOs) report similar concerns.
       Another issue related to NGOs is the prohibition on all 
     contact with the Palestinian Authority (PA). Any organization 
     delivering assistance in the West Bank and Gaza will need to 
     have incidental contact with the PA in order to secure 
     permits and conform to legal requirements. This routine, non-
     substantial contact should not be prohibited.
       Attached to this letter you will find some specific 
     language recommendations that the Bishops' Conference 
     believes would help the legislation to meet two important 
     goals supporting a two-state solution to the conflict and 
     alleviating the urgent human needs of the Palestinian people 
     through aid. These goals are in the best interests of both 
     Palestinians and Israelis who long for a just peace.
           Sincerely yours in Christ,

                                             Thomas G. Wenski,

                                      Bishop of Orlando, Chairman,
                                Committee on International Policy.

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