[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 73 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H3647-H3704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 851 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union for the further consideration of the bill,
H.R. 5522.
{time} 0918
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the State of the Union for the further consideration of
the bill (H.R. 5522) making appropriations for foreign operations,
export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, and for other purposes, with Mr. Thornberry in the
chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIRMAN. When the Committee of the Whole rose on Thursday, June
8, 2006, the amendment by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) had
been disposed of and the bill had been read through page 14, line 3.
Pursuant to the order of House of that day, no further amendment to
the bill may be offered except those specified in the previous order of
the House of that day, which is at the desk.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Transition Initiatives
For necessary expenses for international disaster
rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance pursuant to
section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$40,000,000, to remain available until expended, to support
transition to democracy and to long-term development of
countries in crisis: Provided, That such support may include
assistance to develop, strengthen, or preserve democratic
institutions and processes, revitalize basic infrastructure,
and foster the peaceful resolution of conflict: Provided
further, That the United States Agency for International
Development shall submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations at least 5 days prior to beginning a new
program of assistance: Provided further, That if the
President determines that it is important to the national
interests of the United States to provide transition
assistance in excess of the amount appropriated under this
heading, up to $15,000,000 of the funds appropriated by this
Act to carry out the provisions of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 may be used for purposes of this
heading and under the authorities applicable to funds
appropriated under this heading: Provided further, That
funds made available pursuant to the previous proviso shall
be made available subject to prior consultation with the
Committees on Appropriations.
Development Credit Authority
(including transfer of funds)
For the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees provided
by the United States Agency for International Development, as
authorized by sections 256 and 635 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, up to $21,000,000 may be derived by transfer
from funds appropriated by this Act to carry out part I of
such Act and under the heading ``Assistance for Eastern
Europe and the Baltic States'': Provided, That such funds
shall be made available only for micro and small enterprise
programs, urban programs, and other programs which further
the purposes of part I of the Act: Provided further, That
such costs, including the cost of modifying such direct and
guaranteed loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided
further, That funds made available by this paragraph may be
used for the cost of modifying any such guaranteed loans
under this Act or prior Acts, and funds used for such costs
shall be subject to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That the
provisions of section 107A(d) (relating to general provisions
applicable to the Development Credit Authority) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as contained in section 306
of H.R. 1486 as reported by the House Committee on
International Relations on May 9, 1997, shall be applicable
to direct loans and loan guarantees provided under this
heading: Provided further, That these funds are available to
subsidize total loan principal, any portion of which is to be
guaranteed, of up to $700,000,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out
credit programs administered by the United States Agency for
International Development, $8,400,000, which may be
transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
Operating Expenses of the United States Agency for
International Development: Provided, That funds made
available under this heading shall remain available until
September 30, 2009.
Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund
For payment to the ``Foreign Service Retirement and
Disability Fund'', as authorized by the Foreign Service Act
of 1980, $38,700,000.
Operating Expenses of the United States Agency for International
Development
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$646,000,000, of which up to $25,000,000 may remain available
until September 30, 2008: Provided, That none of the funds
appropriated under this heading and under the heading
``Capital Investment Fund'' may be made available to finance
the construction (including architect and engineering
services), purchase, or long-term lease of offices for use by
the United States Agency for International Development,
unless the Administrator has identified such proposed
construction (including architect and engineering services),
purchase, or long-
[[Page H3648]]
term lease of offices in a report submitted to the Committees
on Appropriations at least 15 days prior to the obligation of
these funds for such purposes: Provided further, That the
previous proviso shall not apply where the total cost of
construction (including architect and engineering services),
purchase, or long-term lease of offices does not exceed
$1,000,000: Provided further, That contracts or agreements
entered into with funds appropriated under this heading may
entail commitments for the expenditure of such funds through
fiscal year 2008: Provided further, That none of the funds in
this Act may be used to open a new overseas mission of the
United States Agency for International Development without
the prior written notification to the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That the authority of
sections 610 and 109 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
may be exercised by the Secretary of State to transfer funds
appropriated to carry out chapter 1 of part I of such Act to
``Operating Expenses of the United States Agency for
International Development'' in accordance with the provisions
of those sections: Provided further, That none of the funds
appropriated by this Act or any prior Act making
appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, or
related programs may be used by the United States Agency for
International Development for the rent of buildings and space
in buildings in the United States pursuant to the authority
of section 636(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961:
Provided further, That the previous proviso shall not apply
to any lease, agreement, or other instrument executed for the
purpose of maintaining United States Agency for International
Development continuity of operations and to the cost of
terminating the domestic lease executed on September 30,
2005.
Capital Investment Fund of the United States Agency for International
Development
For necessary expenses for overseas construction and
related costs, and for the procurement and enhancement of
information technology and related capital investments,
pursuant to section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, $105,300,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That this amount is in addition to funds otherwise
available for such purposes: Provided further, That funds
appropriated under this heading shall be available for
obligation only pursuant to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading,
not to exceed $89,000,000 may be made available for the
purposes of implementing the Capital Security Cost Sharing
Program.
United States Agency for International Development Office of Inspector
General
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$39,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2008,
which sum shall be available for the Office of the Inspector
General of the United States Agency for International
Development.
Other Bilateral Economic Assistance
Economic Support Fund
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
chapter 4 of part II, $2,650,740,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2008: Provided, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, not less than $120,000,000
shall be available only for Israel, which sum shall be
available on a grant basis as a cash transfer and shall be
disbursed within 30 days of the enactment of this Act:
Provided further, That not less than $455,000,000 shall be
available only for Egypt, which sum shall be provided on a
grant basis, and of which sum cash transfer assistance shall
be provided with the understanding that Egypt will undertake
significant economic and political reforms which are
additional to those which were undertaken in previous fiscal
years: Provided further, That with respect to the provision
of assistance for Egypt for democracy and governance
activities, the organizations implementing such assistance
and the specific nature of that assistance shall not be
subject to the prior approval by the Government of Egypt:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading for assistance for Egypt, not less than $135,000,000
shall be made available for project assistance, of which not
less than $50,000,000 shall be made available for democracy,
human rights and governance programs and not less than
$50,000,000 shall be used for education programs: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading
for assistance for Egypt for economic reform activities,
$200,000,000 shall be withheld from obligation until the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees
on Appropriations that Egypt has met the calendar year 2005
benchmarks accompanying the ``Financial Sector Reform
Memorandum of Understanding'' dated March 20, 2005: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading,
$135,000,000 is available only to carry out programs in
Colombia and may be transferred to ``Development Assistance''
to continue programs administered by the United States Agency
for International Development: Provided further, That
$15,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading
should be made available for Cyprus to be used only for
scholarships, administrative support of the scholarship
program, bicommunal projects, and measures aimed at
reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions
and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities
on Cyprus: Provided further, That in exercising the authority
to provide cash transfer assistance for Israel, the President
shall ensure that the level of such assistance does not cause
an adverse impact on the total level of nonmilitary exports
from the United States to such country and that Israel enters
into a side letter agreement in an amount proportional to the
fiscal year 1999 agreement: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under this heading, not less than
$250,500,000 should be made available only for assistance for
Jordan: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated
under this heading may be made available for assistance for
the West Bank and Gaza: Provided further, That $35,500,000 of
the funds appropriated under this heading shall be made
available for assistance for Lebanon, of which not less than
$6,000,000 should be made available for scholarships and
direct support of American educational institutions in
Lebanon: Provided further, That not more than $225,000,000 of
the funds made available for assistance for Afghanistan under
this heading may be obligated for such assistance until the
Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on
Appropriations that the Government of Afghanistan at both the
national and local level is cooperating fully with United
States funded poppy eradication and interdiction efforts in
Afghanistan: Provided further, That such report shall include
an analysis of the steps being taken by the Government of
Afghanistan, at the national and local level, to cooperate
fully with United States funded poppy eradication and
interdiction efforts in Afghanistan: Provided further, That
of the funds appropriated under this heading that are
available for assistance for the Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste, up to $1,000,000 may be available for
administrative expenses of the United States Agency for
International Development: Provided further, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds
appropriated under this heading may be made available for
programs and activities for the Central Highlands of Vietnam:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
that are made available for a Middle East Financing Facility,
Middle East Enterprise Fund, or any other similar entity in
the Middle East shall be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
Mr. KOLBE (during the reading). Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent
that the remainder of the bill through page 23, line 7 be considered as
read, printed in the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
International Fund for Ireland
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
chapter 4 of part II of teh Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$10,800,000, which shall be available for the United States
contribution to the International Fund for Ireland and shall
be made available in accordance with the provisions of the
Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-
415): Provided, That such amount shall be expended at the
minimum rate necessary to make timely payment for projects
and activities: Provided further, That funds made available
under this heading shall remain available until September 30,
2008.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 2 offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of
Florida:
Page 23, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert the
following: ``(reduced to $0)''.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order against the
amendment.
Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the gentlewoman
from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, Ronald Reagan had a
wonderful statement, and that was, if you want to live forever become a
Government program because they never, ever go away.
When the British and Iraq governments established the International
Fund for Ireland in 1986, as part of the Anglo-Irish Accord, Ireland's
per capita gross domestic product was relatively low. It certainly was
a very good program.
Since then, Ireland has grown at a pace more rapid even than ours,
and is
[[Page H3649]]
known as the Celtic Tiger. Today, Ireland's GDP is on par with the
United States, and its unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. Yet we still
continue want to appropriate $10 million for the International Fund for
Ireland.
In a decade of increasing deficits, the United States must stop
sending money to programs that are not necessary. Actually, most
recently they used some of our money for the Chef Development Program
and the construction of a 3,000 foot cafe, and also to help fund the
World Toilet Summit. So obviously we have got to stop flushing away
some of this money.
I have spoken to several individuals who were very, very involved in
establishing this fund and feel very, very strongly about the fund. And
I have assurances from the Representative from New York (Mr. Walsh)
along with several others that the funding for this is going to be
reduced in further appropriations.
I had thought that one of them would be here for a colloquy. And I
had told the great Mr. Walsh from New York, as well as others, that I
would withdraw this amendment with the assurance that future funding
would be reduced and eliminated over the next few years.
Mr. Chairman, I ask for unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Florida?
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I object for the purposes of claiming the
time in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. Objection is heard. The gentlewoman reserves the
balance of her time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my point of order on the
amendment and I would allow Mr. Crowley to claim the time in
opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman withdraws his reservation of a point of
order.
The gentleman from New York claims the time in opposition to the
amendment and is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe)
for withdrawing the point and allowing for this discussion.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that gentlewoman from Florida has the
right to bring this amendment to the floor. But what I am concerned
about is possibly, and I do not know enough about the gentlewoman's
involvement in the peace process as it pertains to Northern Ireland.
And, yes, it is quite true that the Republic of Ireland is having an
incredibly strong economy and it is the Celtic Tiger, it is doing
remarkably well. But this is not about the south of Ireland, or the
Republic of Ireland, this is about the Northern Irish peace process.
As you so point out, created in 1986, under the Irish Peace
Agreement, the IFI has been a fund that has helped develop businesses
within Northern Ireland and attract business to Northern Ireland that
is supported by both Unionists and Nationalists in the north of
Ireland.
Because Ireland is doing well, it does not mean that all parts of
Ireland are doing well. In particular, in those areas where the
communities are interfaced, amongst the Protestant and Catholics,
Nationalists and Unionists communities where there is still tremendous
strife, a lack of opportunity for growth, for young people within the
north of Ireland.
And symbolically this is America's involvement in this peace process,
one of the most successful peace processes in modern history. This is
still an ongoing process, though. The government has not devolved back
to the north of Ireland. People are not involved in a real Democratic
society there.
To withdrew this money with the understanding that this money is in a
phase-out program right now, I think is unfair. And to point to one
particular aspect of this as the reason or the cause to do that, the
World Toilet Summit, well, quite frankly, I think are people who may be
interested in purchasing toilets, the creation of toilets.
If that is something that is drawing tourism and is drawing industry
to the north of Ireland, who are we to criticize? So be it. Using it as
a catch phrase, I think is unfortunate, because it trivializes what has
been taking place over the last decade in both Republican and
Democratic administrations, and that is the advancement of
opportunities for peace in the north of Ireland.
So with that, I am happy that the gentlewoman is going to withdraw
this amendment. I hope that she learns more about even the toilet
summit. I am not so sure she is all that familiar with that. I know I
am not. Nor do I have the authority to speak on it.
But I am glad that she is going to withdraw this, and I hope in the
future that we have the opportunity for more discussion prior to such
amendments coming to the floor.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I certainly thank the gentleman from New York for this
opportunity to exchange views. I would encourage him to look into the
World Toilet Summit.
Americans are tired of money being flushing down the toilet. I am
delighted that the program is going to be phased out, and also very
happy that the economy of Ireland has improved. There is no better way
to have peace than to have prosperity.
The fact that general economy of Ireland has improved certainly is a
very great benefit to that part of the world. Mr. Chairman, I withdrew
this with the information that the program is being phased out in
future years.
Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Florida?
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I object.
The CHAIRMAN. Objection is heard.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentleman from Massachusetts
the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Massachusetts is recognized for 30
seconds.
Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from
New York for yielding me time.
Mr. Chairman, this discussion is ill-considered and ill-advised. At a
time when America foreign policy is under question everywhere across
the globe, this is a remarkable achievement for our State Department
and for Members of Congress.
In fact, the American role has been indefensible in bringing about a
new day. This has had brought support cross Congress and across
America, reminding ourselves that the European Union participates,
Australia participates, and sectarian murders have almost been gone. We
are down to a couple of small issues.
But the Good Friday Agreement is the way forward, and America and
Members of this Congress can take great satisfaction in this
achievement. It has worked extraordinarily well.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I ask for unanimous
consent to withdraw this amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Florida?
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the right to object.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from New Jersey reserves the right to
object.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman from
Florida yield?
The CHAIRMAN. The gentlewoman from Florida withdraws her unanimous
consent request, and is recognized.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from New Jersey.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, let me just say, I appreciate
the gentlewoman's willingness to withdraw this amendment.
I, like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, have worked
for years going back to the creation of the International Fund for
Ireland in the 1980s on providing funding and direction for the IFI. I
have visited its projects and witnessed the cross community
cooperation. As a direct result of the IFI and U.S. support for the
fund, we have seen tremendous job creation. I would agree, in the
Republic of Ireland there has been a significant growth, economic
recovery, particularly in the Dublin area, not necessarily in western
Ireland, but certainly in the Dublin area.
[[Page H3650]]
But in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, and in the counties in the
north, there remains serious problems, problems that fuel social
unrest. One of the things that I find so encouraging is that, we have
worked well with the leaders of the IFI. They are on a glide path to
ending foreign support for this program. But they are doing so in a way
that encourages police corporation and sustains good programs. They did
it frankly directly at our request.
{time} 0930
The remaining problem is that the Catholics and the Protestants still
haven't collaborated enough where prejudices have broken down. There
are 5,700 projects that have been funded under the IFI, and I am glad
the gentlewoman is withdrawing her amendment.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on behalf of
the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and I am pleased that the
gentlelady from Florida has withdrawn the amendment to eliminate it's
funding.
The International Fund for Ireland is widely recognized for creating
comprehensive programs that have helped promote peace and
reconciliation in the north of Ireland and the border counties in the
Republic of Ireland.
Twenty years ago the U.S. Congress, with overwhelming bi-partisan
support, passed the Anglo-Irish Support Act of 1986. This landmark
legislation created the means for the U.S. to contribute to the IFI--a
Fund established by the Irish and British governments to promote
economic development and peace in Northern Ireland. The Fund receives
support from the United States, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
it's been a most effective way for the international community to help
end the terrible war raging in Northern Ireland.
Four U.S. Presidents and 10 Congresses have endorsed the efforts of
the IFI. At the joint hearing I held this March--the eleventh I have
convened on the peace process in Northern Ireland--U.S. Special Envoy
for Northern Ireland Ambassador Mitchell Reiss strongly praised the
outstanding work being done by the IFI, and urged continued support for
it.
Since the inception of the IFI, the United States has contributed
nearly $460 million and the results have been remarkable. As of 2004,
the IFI has created nearly 38,000 direct jobs, and 18,000 indirect
ones. In the 1990s Northern Ireland's GDP increased 53 percent,
employment increased 17 percent and unemployment fell by 40 percent.
Eighty percent of these investments have been in disadvantaged areas.
The IFI has contributed to over 5,700 projects in Northern Ireland and
the bordering counties of the Republic of Ireland and has provided
17,000 young people from cross-community areas with jobs. This is a
tangible success in our struggle to end the conditions of despair and
hopelessness which are the breeding grounds for terrorism.
Earlier in this Congress, and also in the 108th Congress, the House
passed my legislation (H.R. 2601 and H.R. 1208 respectively)
reauthorizing the program at more than $20 million and urging the Fund
to shift its focus from primarily economic programs to those that have
a greater emphasis on peace and reconciliation.
I am pleased to say, the Fund has responded. This year they released
a Strategic Framework of Action 2006-2010 which strongly emphasizes
cross community and reconciliation programs. The strategic plan also
puts in place an exit strategy in which the Fund will wind down its
reliance on international support. With this strategic plan in place,
we cannot falter on our commitment. We are near to lasting peace in
Ireland, but this is no time to falter in our efforts or rest on our
laurels.
Much remains to be done as Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahem has
said, ``The next five years will be vital to ensure a lasting legacy
for the Fund and for 25 years of international engagement with the
peace process. . . . Once again the United States has demonstrated the
importance of its relationship with Ireland and of our efforts to bring
the peace process to a conclusion.'' Among the most important work it
is doing now, in response to urgent requests from this Congress, are
programs that enhance relations between the police and the communities
they serve and promote human rights training for police. Without our
continued funding, it will be near impossible for the IFI to do this
vital work for lasting peace and finish the work it has begun.
As IFI Chairman Rooney has stated, ``(The Appropriation Committee's)
recommendation is a real vote of confidence in the young people and
communities which benefit from the programs of the IFI. These programs
address the root causes of conflict in our society: economic and social
disadvantage, sectarianism and marginalisation. With a contribution of
this level (i.e., $10.8 million) we can continue to target the areas of
greatest need and ensure the goals we set ourselves. . . . The goodwill
and support of the American people will be critical to our efforts. I
would like to thank the many friends of Ireland in Congress for their
continued generosity.''
Now is not the time for the United States to pull the plug on our
support for this successful peace and reconciliation program; such a
move would have a dramatic impact on programs that emphasize
reconciliation among school children and young adults. The IFI has
developed its own exist strategy enabling a thoughtful transition to
self-reliant cross-community and social advancement. It is a good
strategy and one that deserves our support until the end.
Mrs. McCARTHY. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment which would
eliminate funding for the IFI.
The violence in Ireland has devastated families and too many men,
women and children have lost their lives.
The road to peace has been a long one with many bumps in that road.
But, Mr. Chairman, we are making progress.
By all indications we are on the verge of peace, which is nice for a
change.
Now is not the time to cut this important funding, as it has been
critical in the peace efforts and it is still needed particularly in
places like Belfast.
Cutting U.S. funding now would send a message that the IFI is not
internationally supported.
It is important that the people in Ireland who are working toward
peace know that they have the support of the United States in these
efforts.
I understand that my colleague will offer and withdraw this
amendment.
Having said that, I strongly oppose this amendment and will oppose
any future similar efforts.
Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to an
amendment offered by Representative Ginny Brown-Waite to H.R. 5522, the
Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. The proposed amendment would
effectively cut $10.8 million in funding for the International Fund for
Ireland from the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill for FY 2007.
The Fund was created by the Irish and British governments 20 years
ago to foster economic and social advancement and to encourage
dialogue, contact, and reconciliation between unionists and
nationalists throughout Ireland. The Fund appropriates its money to
address the root causes of deprivation in the most vulnerable regions
by using shared economic concerns as a platform for regeneration and
cross-community activity.
If the Fund was dissolved, its pioneering work with children and
youth throughout the North and border counties would end just as there
is progress towards the implementation of the Good Friday Accords. A
termination of U.S. funding would undermine the perception of the IFI
as an internationally supported body and may impede its ability to
secure funding elsewhere.
The IFI has been integral in the progress towards peace and
prosperity throughout Ireland, acting in good faith to employ
successful measures to alleviate areas of disadvantage. It is with our
help that the IFI can continue to achieve these praiseworthy goals in
the future.
I hope my colleagues join me in opposition to this amendment so that
together, we can move towards peace and prosperity for all of Ireland.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Again, Mr. Chairman, I ask
unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment with the proviso that
future amounts for this program will be reduced. It is obviously a
great success, and at this point we want to make sure Ronald Reagan's
prediction wasn't right and that future funding will be reduced.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States
(a) For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Support for East
European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989, $227,900,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2008, which shall be
available, notwithstanding any other provision of law, for
assistance and for related programs for Eastern Europe and
the Baltic States.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strike the last word, and yield
to my distinguished member of the subcommittee, Mr. Fattah.
Mr. FATTAH. I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York, and I want
to thank and congratulate the chairman. I wanted to submit for the
Record letters from the Secretary General of the U.N., the Ambassador
for the European Union, and from Prime Minister Tony Blair in support
of a Safe Blood for Africa Initiative
[[Page H3651]]
that the chairman and the ranking woman from New York have agreed to
insert into the report that will accompany this bill which has to do
with an initiative to make healthier the blood supply throughout sub-
Saharan Africa. It has the potential of saving millions of lives, and
these letters illustrate international support for it. So for Secretary
Kofi Annan and Tony Blair and the European Union, I want to submit
these letters for the Record.
The Secretary-General,
May 30, 2006.
Hon. Chaka Fattah,
Congressman, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Fattah, Thank you for your important
efforts in support of improving the blood supply in Africa.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic poses an unprecedented threat to human
security and development in the continent. The epidemic
demands an exceptional response and your Initiative on Safe
Blood will play an invaluable role in benefiting the lives of
millions of Africans.
I commend your leadership on this issue and look forward to
hearing more about it in the weeks and months ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Kofi A. Annan.
____
European Union, Delegation of the European Commission,
Washington, DC, May 15, 2006.
Hon. Chaka Fattah,
Member of Congress,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Fattah, I very much enjoyed the discussion we had
on 9th March in your offices on various issues of common
concern and in particular on how best to help Africa reach
the Millennium Development Goals in the Health Sector. I
consider that your Safe Blood Initiative is a very timely and
important effort towards these goals, and I would be glad to
support you in this.
The European Commission, as you know, is committed to
working in partnership with the United States and the
international community to reach the Millennium Development
Goals, three of which relate directly or indirectly to
health. In external action, our policy tackles the three
infectious diseases related to poverty, namely, HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Tuberculosis.
The Commission's Action plan in this area emphasizes the
need to strengthen country health systems and to support
country led strategies. At global level, the Action Plan
focuses on affordability, strengthening regulatory capacity,
and the need to work in partnership. We support and work
closely with other private partners such as the Global
Initiative for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
We are partners with the United States in the fight against
contagious diseases and participate in the Global Fund for
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFHTM). To date, the
Commission has pledged a total of = 522 million for the Fund,
covering the period of 2001-2006 of which = 432 million have
already been disbursed.
We see your Initiative to protect the safety of blood in
Africa as closely related to the fight of contagious
diseases. In fact, we advocate that blood safety should be an
integral part of any national strategy for HIV/AIDS
prevention, as well as a standard component of national
health policies. We believe that blood safety should be
addressed as part of efforts to strengthen the national
health systems, and that specific action to reduce the risk
of HIV transmission should include financing for
strengthening systems for blood safety.
I trust that you will receive congressional support for
your very crucial Initiative. It is my hope that this will
raise awareness of the wider health system issues and that
Africa--and the world as a whole--will be a safer place as a
result.
Sincerely yours,
John Bruton
Ambassador.
____
The Prime Minister,
London, March 31, 2006.
Dear Mr. Fattah, Thank you for your letter of 1 March about
the Fattah initiative on Safe Blood.
During 2005, G8 leaders agreed to a set of commitments
which should have a real impact on poverty in Africa and
across the world. I believe it is vital to assist African
countries to strengthen their health services--and this
includes the provision of safe blood, integrated with
comprehensive national HIV prevention strategies. We are
committed to playing our part and have committed K1.5 billion
over the next three years to tackling HIV and AIDS across the
world.
The Department for International Development (DFID) takes
the lead on this and other overseas development issues. I
have asked the Secretary of State for International
Development to ensure DFID officials follow up with you to
discuss further and gain a better understanding of your
initiative.
I wish you well with your efforts.
Yours sincerely,
Tony Blair.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 32, line 20 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 32, line 20 is as
follows:
(b) Funds appropriated under this heading shall be
considered to be economic assistance under the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 for purposes of making available the
administrative authorities contained in that Act for the use
of economic assistance.
(c) The provisions of section 529 of this Act shall apply
to funds appropriated under this heading: Provided, That
notwithstanding any provision of this or any other Act,
including provisions in this subsection regarding the
application of section 529 of this Act, local currencies
generated by, or converted from, funds appropriated by this
Act and by previous appropriations Acts and made available
for the economic revitalization program in Bosnia may be used
in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States to carry out the
provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the SEED
Act.
(d) The President is authorized to withhold funds
appropriated under this heading made available for economic
revitalization programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, if he
determines and certifies to the Committees on Appropriations
that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has not
complied with article III of annex 1-A of the General
Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina
concerning the withdrawal of foreign forces, and that
intelligence cooperation on training, investigations, and
related activities between state sponsors of terrorism and
terrorist organizations and Bosnian officials has not been
terminated.
Assistance for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
(a) For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
chapters 11 and 12 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 and the FREEDOM Support Act, for assistance for the
Independent States of the former Soviet Union and for related
programs, $371,280,000, to remain available until September
30, 2008: Provided, That the provisions of such chapters
shall apply to funds appropriated by this paragraph: Provided
further, That funds made available for the Southern Caucasus
region may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, for confidence-building measures and other activities in
furtherance of the peaceful resolution of the regional
conflicts, especially those in the vicinity of Abkhazia and
Nagorno-Karabagh: Provided further, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law, funds appropriated under this heading
in this Act or prior Acts making appropriations for foreign
operations, export financing, and related programs, that are
made available pursuant to the provisions of section 807 of
Public Law 102-511 shall be subject to a 6 percent ceiling on
administrative expenses.
(b) Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less
than $41,000,000 should be made available, in addition to
funds otherwise available for such purposes, for assistance
for child survival, environmental and reproductive health,
and to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other infectious
diseases, and for related activities.
(c)(1) Of the funds appropriated under this heading that
are allocated for assistance for the Government of the
Russian Federation, 60 percent shall be withheld from
obligation until the President determines and certifies in
writing to the Committees on Appropriations that the
Government of the Russian Federation--
(A) has terminated implementation of arrangements to
provide Iran with technical expertise, training, technology,
or equipment necessary to develop a nuclear reactor, related
nuclear research facilities or programs, or ballistic missile
capability; and
(B) is providing full access to international non-
government organizations providing humanitarian relief to
refugees and internally displaced persons in Chechnya.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
(A) assistance to combat infectious diseases, child
survival activities, or assistance for victims of trafficking
in persons; and
(B) activities authorized under title V (Nonproliferation
and Disarmament Programs and Activities) of the FREEDOM
Support Act.
(d) Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act shall not apply
to--
(1) activities to support democracy or assistance under
title V of the FREEDOM Support Act and section 1424 of Public
Law 104-201 or non-proliferation assistance;
(2) any assistance provided by the Trade and Development
Agency under section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961;
(3) any activity carried out by a member of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service while acting within his
or her official capacity;
(4) any insurance, reinsurance, guarantee or other
assistance provided by the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation under title IV of chapter 2 of part I of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961;
(5) any financing provided under the Export-Import Bank Act
of 1945; or
(6) humanitarian assistance.
Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Foreign Assistance Act of
[[Page H3652]]
1961 for the enhancement of trade capacity in foreign
countries, $522,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2008: Provided, That these funds shall be available to
the Director of Trade Capacity Enhancement to be used only
for enhancing trade capacity, most especially to assist a
country in efforts to qualify for, implement and benefit from
free trade agreements with the United States: Provided
further, That in order to accomplish the purposes provided
herein, funds appropriated under this heading may be
transferred to and merged with funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'', ``Economic
Support Fund'', ``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the
Baltic States'', ``Assistance to Independent States of the
Former Soviet Union'', and ``Andean Counterdrug Initiative'':
Provided further, That any such transfers shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That funds appropriated
under this heading are in addition to funds otherwise
available for such purposes.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Inter-American Foundation
For necessary expenses to carry out the functions of the
Inter-American Foundation in accordance with the provisions
of section 401 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969,
$19,268,000, to remain available until September 30, 2008.
African Development Foundation
For necessary expenses to carry out title V of the
International Security and Development Cooperation Act of
1980, Public Law 96-533, $22,726,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2008: Provided, That funds made available
to grantees may be invested pending expenditure for project
purposes when authorized by the Board of Directors of the
Foundation: Provided further, That interest earned shall be
used only for the purposes for which the grant was made:
Provided further, That notwithstanding section 505(a)(2) of
the African Development Foundation Act, (1) in exceptional
circumstances the Board of Directors of the Foundation may
waive the $250,000 limitation contained in that section with
respect to a project and (2) a project may exceed the
limitation by up to $10,000 if the increase is due solely to
foreign currency fluctuation: Provided further, That the
Foundation shall provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations after each time such authority is exercised.
Peace Corps
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Peace Corps Act (75 Stat. 612), including the purchase of not
to exceed five passenger motor vehicles for administrative
purposes for use outside of the United States, $324,587,000,
to remain available until September 30, 2008: Provided, That
none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be
used to pay for abortions: Provided further, That the
Director may transfer to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations
Account, as authorized by 22 U.S.C. 2515, an amount not to
exceed $2,000,000: Provided further, That funds transferred
pursuant to the previous proviso may not be derived from
amounts made available for Peace Corps overseas operations.
Millennium Challenge Corporation
For necessary expenses for the ``Millennium Challenge
Corporation'', $2,000,000,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading, up to $95,000,000 may be available for
administrative expenses of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation: Provided further, That up to 10 percent of the
funds appropriated under this heading may be made available
to carry out the purposes of section 616 of the Millennium
Challenge Act of 2003 for candidate countries for fiscal year
2007: Provided further, That none of the funds available to
carry out section 616 of such Act may be made available until
the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation provides a report to the Committees on
Appropriations listing the candidate countries that will be
receiving assistance under section 616 of such Act, the level
of assistance proposed for each such country, a description
of the proposed programs, projects and activities, and the
implementing agency or agencies of the United States
Government: Provided further, That section 605(e)(4) of the
Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 shall apply to funds
appropriated under this heading: Provided further, That funds
appropriated under this heading may be made available for a
Millennium Challenge Compact entered into pursuant to section
609 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 only if such
Compact obligates, or contains a commitment to obligate
subject to the availability of funds and the mutual agreement
of the parties to the Compact to proceed, the entire amount
of the United States Government funding anticipated for the
duration of the Compact.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Global HIV/AIDS Initiative
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the prevention, treatment,
and control of, and research on, HIV/AIDS, including
administrative expenses of the Office of the Global AIDS
Coordinator, $2,772,500,000, to remain available until
expended, of which $244,500,000 shall be made available,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, except for the
United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-25) for a United States
contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria, and shall be expended at the minimum rate
necessary to make timely payment for projects and activities:
Provided, That up to 5 percent of the aggregate amount of
funds made available to the Global Fund in fiscal year 2007
may be made available to the Office of the United States
Global AIDS Coordinator for technical assistance related to
the activities of the Global Fund.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
For necessary expenses to carry out section 481 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $703,600,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2009: Provided, That during
fiscal year 2007, the Department of State may also use the
authority of section 608 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, without regard to its restrictions, to receive excess
property from an agency of the United States Government for
the purpose of providing it to a foreign country under
chapter 8 of part I of that Act subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That the Secretary of State shall provide
to the Committees on Appropriations not later than 45 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act and prior to the
initial obligation of funds appropriated under this heading,
a report on the proposed uses of all funds under this heading
on a country-by-country basis for each proposed program,
project, or activity: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, not less than $16,250,000
shall be made available for training programs and activities
of the International Law Enforcement Academies: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading,
$26,100,000 shall be made available to carry out programs in
Colombia: Provided further, That $10,000,000 of the funds
appropriated under this heading shall be made available for
demand reduction programs: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under this heading, not more than
$33,484,000 may be available for administrative expenses.
Amendment Offered by Ms. Hooley
Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Ms. Hooley:
Page 32, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert the
following: ``(increased by $10,000,000) (reduced by
$10,000,000)''.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Oregon.
Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, communities
across this country are facing an increasing problem with
methamphetamine, a drug that is cheap, easy to make, and gives addicts
an intense longlasting high, but one that destroys their brains, causes
them to abuse and neglect their children, and can lead to paranoid acts
of violence. And while we have taken action to cut off pseudoephedrine
sales to the mom and pop meth labs, the vast majority of meth consumed
in this country is made in Mexico and smuggled into the U.S. by Mexican
drug cartels. My amendment would help address this issue by designating
$10 million in the international narcotics control and law enforcement
for counter-methamphetamine efforts in Mexico.
International narcotics control and law enforcement is funded in this
bill at $703 million, a $231 million increase over last year's funding.
While the overall account is adequately funded within this program, the
committee report designates only $40 million for Mexico, with the money
being spread among a number of narcotic control and law enforcement
efforts, including strengthening the northern border infrastructure and
fighting drug and weapons smuggling.
The amendment simply increases funding for international narcotics
control and law enforcement by $10 million and immediately reduces it
again. The intent of the amendment is to redirect these funds to the
designation for Mexico, devoting the $10 million specifically toward
the counter of methamphetamine efforts. The money should not come from
any other already designated account within international narcotics and
law enforcement, but from those funds which have not yet been allocated
either through the legislative language or committee report. We must
provide the State Department with additional resources so
[[Page H3653]]
they can better stem the rising influx of methamphetamines produced by
these Mexican drug cartels. My amendment would ensure that the State
Department devotes its resources specifically toward stemming the
rising influx of methamphetamine produced by these Mexican drug
cartels.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. HOOLEY. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. KOLBE. The gentlewoman from Oregon has described this precisely.
We all recognize that methamphetamine is a terrible problem. I
represent a border district in a border State; we have a terrible
problem with that with Mexico. The gentlewoman has described this
amendment accurately, in that while it increases and decreases the same
time, it does not change the structure of any of the accounts or any of
the programs; and, therefore, I am willing to accept this amendment.
Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley).
The amendment was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
Andean Counterdrug Initiative
For necessary expenses to carry out section 481 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to support counterdrug
activities in the Andean region of South America,
$506,850,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009:
Provided, That in fiscal year 2007, funds available to the
Department of State for assistance to the Government of
Colombia shall be available to support a unified campaign
against narcotics trafficking, against activities by
organizations designated as terrorist organizations such as
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the
National Liberation Army (ELN), and the United Self-Defense
Forces of Colombia (AUC), and to take actions to protect
human health and welfare in emergency circumstances,
including undertaking rescue operations: Provided further,
That this authority shall cease to be effective if the
Secretary of State has credible evidence that the Colombian
Armed Forces are not conducting vigorous operations to
restore government authority and respect for human rights in
areas under the effective control of paramilitary and
guerrilla organizations: Provided further, That the President
shall ensure that if any helicopter procured with funds under
this heading is used to aid or abet the operations of any
illegal self-defense group or illegal security cooperative,
such helicopter shall be immediately returned to the United
States: Provided further, That the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, shall provide to the
Committees on Appropriations not later than 45 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act and prior to the initial
obligation of funds appropriated under this heading, a report
on the proposed uses of all funds under this heading on a
country-by-country basis for each proposed program, project,
or activity: Provided further, That funds made available in
this Act for demobilization/reintegration of members of
foreign terrorist organizations in Colombia shall be subject
to prior consultation with, and the regular notification
procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That section 482(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 shall not apply to funds appropriated under this
heading: Provided further, That assistance provided with
funds appropriated under this heading that is made available
notwithstanding section 482(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 shall be made available subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading that are available for alternative development/
institution building, not less than $85,400,000 shall be
apportioned directly to the United States Agency for
International Development: Provided further, That with
respect to funds apportioned to the United States Agency for
International Development under the previous proviso, the
responsibility for policy decisions for the use of such
funds, including what activities will be funded and the
amount of funds that will be provided for each of those
activities, shall be the responsibility of the Director of
Foreign Assistance in consultation with the Assistant
Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs: Provided further, That no United States
Armed Forces personnel or United States civilian contractor
employed by the United States will participate in any combat
operation in connection with assistance made available by
this Act for Colombia: Provided further, That funds
appropriated under this heading that are made available for
assistance for the Bolivian military may be made available
for such purposes only if the Secretary of State certifies
that the Bolivian military is respecting human rights, and
civilian judicial authorities are investigating and
prosecuting, with the military's cooperation, military
personnel who have been implicated in gross violations of
human rights: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, not more than $18,060,000
may be available for administrative expenses of the
Department of State, and not more than $7,800,000 may be
available, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes, for administrative expenses of the United
States Agency for International Development.
Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. McGovern
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 7 offered by Mr. McGovern:
In the item relating to ``Andean Counterdrug Initiative''
(page __, line __), after the aggregate dollar amount, insert
the following: ``(reduced by $30,000,000)''.
In the item relating to ``United States Emergency Refugee
and Migration Assistance Fund'' (page __, line __), after the
dollar amount, insert the following: ``(increased by
$30,000,000)''.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) and a Member opposed each
will control 30 minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to
the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona will control the time in
opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 4 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, this is a very straightforward amendment. It increases
funding by $30 million for the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration
Assistance Fund, and it decreases the Andean Counter Drug Initiative by
the same amount. The reduction in the ACI account should come from
eradication and military related aid above the President's request
level. It is my understanding from figures provided by the Foreign
Operations Subcommittee that, under the ACI, the President requested
$506.2 million for Colombia; the committee provided $545.2 million for
all these categories of aid. So even after this amount is reduced by
$30 million, aid for Colombia requested by the President would still
total $515.2 million, or $9 million above the President's fiscal year
2007 request.
Mr. Chairman, I have been on this House floor before expressing my
concerns about our policy in Colombia. The drug eradication policy, to
be blunt, has been a miserable failure. The Colombian military
continues to commit heinous acts with impunity.
Now, I know that some of my esteemed colleagues who oppose this
amendment will once again come to the House floor with their charts and
graphs and arrows pointing this way and that, but no matter how you
slice and dice it, the bottom line is that after 6 years and $4.7
billion for Colombia, we are exactly where we started out as far as
drug cultivation is concerned. The same amount of coca is being grown
today in Colombia as in 1999. And this isn't Jim McGovern just saying
this; this fact comes from our own Office of Narcotics Control and Drug
Policy. It is their figures, their findings, their conclusion; the
State Department backs them up on this. $4.7 billion.
As the committee report accompanying this bill states so eloquently
on page 62: after a massive increase in fumigation from 47,000 hectares
at the start of Plan Colombia to today when we fumigated 138,775
hectares last year, we have accomplished zilch, Mr. Chairman. Coca
cultivation in Columbia is at the same level or maybe slightly above
from where it was when we started.
On Monday, Mr. Chairman, headlines in the newspapers informed us that
a Colombian military unit murdered in a deliberate cold-blooded ambush
one of the most successful U.S.-trained antidrug units in Colombia.
Yesterday the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee froze $30 million in
military aid because it was so enraged over these murders and the State
Department's recent human rights certification.
Mr. Chairman, we have to respond to this. This House has to respond,
and this is the moment to do so. We are not undermining President Uribe
by adopting this amendment. Colombia will still receive more than what
the President of the United States of America
[[Page H3654]]
asked for in fiscal year 2007. But we can send a powerful message to
the Colombian Armed Forces that we won't keep writing blank checks, we
won't keep turning a blind eye, we aren't a cheap date you can take
advantage of.
Mr. Chairman, we have the opportunity to do some real good with this
amendment. We can fund the President's request for U.S. Emergency
Refugee and Migration Assistance fund. The fund currently stands at its
lowest balance in over a decade. The State Department generally draws
down between $60 million and $70 million in ERMA funds each year. There
are just too many unexpected emergencies happening around the world.
Without the increase provided by the amendment, we could be threatening
the life-saving assistance that can mean the difference of life and
death to persons caught in tragic violence or natural disaster. Whether
we are looking at an increasingly explosive border between Chad and
Sudan to preventing food aid pipeline breaks in Kenya and Uganda, to
being able to respond quickly to victims of earthquakes or volcanoes,
this fund is one of the President's most effective tools. With this
amendment we can give the President what he has requested and needs for
Colombia and ACI, and we can give him what he asked for and needs to
meet emergency refugee crises. And at the same time, Mr. Chairman, and
for the first time, we can send a powerful message to the Colombian
military that our pockets and our patience are wearing thin.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in the strongest possible opposition
to this amendment offered by the gentleman. There are few things in
this hemisphere that are more important for us than the Andean
Counterdrug Initiative. In our effort to try and fight drugs abroad we
can fight drugs here at home.
The gentleman has suggested this money would go to the International
Refugee and Migration account, and we believe we have funded that in a
fair and reasonable way and will have accounted for the needs of that
account.
Let me tell you why my concern is more not that we couldn't use more
money in ERMA; my concern here is taking this money out of the Andean
Counterdrug Initiative. Let me tell you why I think this is the wrong
thing to do at this time.
We have rewarded in this bill good performers and taken action
against those who have not done so well. As I described in my opening
statement, we have restructured the accounts that go to Colombia. They
are an important strategic partner in the region, and our bill
recognizes that by normalizing how we fund Colombia. We move funds for
the Colombia Alternative Development programs to the ESF account and to
the other accounts; we have moved funds for Colombia rule of law to the
INCLE account, the narcotics account. These are the accounts we use to
fund similar activities for all of our other strategic partners.
So we have basically said to Colombia, you have graduated. It is time
for you to become a strategic partner and for our funding of foreign
assistance to fall into normal categories.
I firmly believe that, contrary to what the gentleman said, that
Colombia stands as the most successful model of democracy in this
region. It is not without its problems, but I think it has made
enormous and positive strides in recent years. With our support it has
been transformed into a much more secure democratic and economically
prosperous country.
So why do I say that? How do I measure the success that we have had?
Well, we have got more than 200,000 acres of legal crops that have been
planted, 64,000 farm families provided legal farming options, coca
eradication through spraying has gone from 47,000 hectares of the first
year of Plan Colombian to 138,000 last year, and manual eradication
also increased substantially. An additional 1,600 hectares of poppies
were eradicated in the year 2005. We have regained Colombian
sovereignty over most of the air space, and that has led to a 56
percent decrease in suspected trafficker flights. The drug flow by air
to the United States has dropped by about 7 percent. Kidnappings are
down 51 percent. Homicides are down 13 percent. All 1,098 Colombian
municipalities have a permanent government presence. These are just
some of the measures of the things that we have done that I think are
very significant.
The bill from which this would take funds also rewards Peru by
increasing the funds allocated it by $10.5 million. And I did this
because we have decreased over the years the funds to Peru and we have
experienced the balloon effect of having drug production move from one
part of the region to another part, and that is why we have proposed a
$7 million increase to Peru's interdiction and eradication program. The
last thing in the world we should be doing right now is making a
reduction in these overall accounts.
On the other hand, we have reduced some of the funds provided to
Bolivia. We have reduced the President's request by 44 percent. Of
course, that request was drafted very early in this year before the
problems that we are seeing with the current government in Bolivia have
occurred. There, the eradication efforts have gone absolutely the wrong
direction, from an historic high in 1999 of 17,000 hectares of coca
eradicated, to a goal in 2006 of only 5,000; and they are not on track
to even meet that very reduced goal in Bolivia.
And so those are just some of the reasons why we are, as I said,
trying to reward those who are doing the right thing in the region, but
also make sure that our money is not used inappropriately in countries
that are not doing the right thing.
{time} 0945
So these are just some of the reasons why I think that this amendment
would be absolutely the wrong signal at the wrong time and could be the
best possible message that we could send to drug traffickers to reduce
this Andean counterdrug initiative by the amount that the amendment
calls for. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds.
Mr. Chairman, my colleague is absolutely right, eradication has
dramatically increased in Colombia, but it has achieved absolutely
nothing. There is even more coca in Colombia today than there was in
Plan Colombia's first year. We have gone from 336,000 acres in 2000 to
355,000 acres, and that is actually a 6 percent increase. How is that
success?
When Plan Colombia started, it was supposed to decrease coca growing
by 50 percent over 5 years. That is what we were promised. Well, $4.7
billion later, we have a 6 percent increase over 5 years the amount of
coca being grown in Colombia.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Farr) who is a Colombian expert and who was also a Peace Corps
volunteer in Colombia.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for yielding.
I rise in strong support of the McGovern amendment and in incredibly
strong appreciation for the great job that Chairman Kolbe does on this
committee. I do not think there is anybody that knows these issues
better than he does, but I am just in disagreement with the approach
here, and I do not think it is Mr. Kolbe's approach. It is the
administration's approach and it comes under Plan Colombia.
The problem that we have, and as I say, I am speaking from some
experience having lived in Colombia several years as a Peace Corps
volunteer in the 1960s, is if you do not deal with people on the
ground, who are struggling with the culture of poverty, you cannot wipe
out an agricultural crop by just bombing it. You wipe it out by
creating economic opportunities that are alternatives to coca growing.
You do not have to retain as much money as you can get from growing
coca, because what you do is you build infrastructure, school and
health care, and just like this community, most people will do things
as long as people will have a better life, as long as there are
resources there.
I think what America fails to look at, whether it is in Iraq or other
areas, is how poorly we do at developing post-country capacity, and
that is what this amendment is all about. It is the use of money to
better build host country capacity to sustain themselves other than
having to grow illicit crops.
Alternative development programs have enabled Colombians to move to
[[Page H3655]]
alternatives, and when they did, they were very successful with it, but
we are not putting enough effort into it.
Colombia is a huge country. It is the second most biodiverse country
in the planet. It can grow just about anything. You just have to put
energy and get people access to places to grow, and in this case,
because we are not doing enough in the alternative, they are going to
go into growing more coca, as Mr. McGovern's pointed out.
After 6 years of sustained, robust U.S. assistance, 40 percent of the
Colombians still remain underemployed in a formal Colombian economy.
So I rise in strong support because I think this is moving money to
what we really need to invest in which is investing in host country
capacity.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), one of the members of the Drug Task
Force.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, thank you for yielding me time on this.
I have worked on this issue for a number of years in Congress. I have
seen failed policies and I have seen successful policies. The worst
thing we could do today would be to cut the funds to Colombia. What a
horrible message we would send. Let me just describe what is taking
place, the policy of failure, the policy of success.
I chaired the Criminal Justice, Drug Policy Subcommittee. That was
one of the responsibilities Speaker Hastert had before I inherited it
from him. He chaired the National Security Subcommittee that had that
responsibility. We did everything we could during the Clinton
administration to get resources to Colombia. The liberals did
everything they could to keep resources going to Colombia. The policy
was a policy of failure. It was a policy of death and destruction.
Thousands of people were slaughtered while the liberals in Congress and
the administration denied aid to Colombia. Policemen were killed by the
thousands. Members of the legislature, members of the Cabinet, people
on the street, villages were wiped out because they did not want to
send the necessary aid to Colombia.
President Bush, thank God for President Bush and his action and his
policy of success. He took a policy of success. He put the resources
there. The murders are down dramatically. The last speaker spoke about
creating economic opportunity. How can you create economic opportunity
or economic activity when there is slaughter and chaos in the streets?
I went down with President Pastrana, and he wanted to sing Kumbayah
with the terrorists and the leftists, and that approach did not work.
People continued to get slaughtered, and the drugs came into this
country in unprecedented amounts.
Ask DEA about drugs, about heroin. At the beginning of the Clinton
administration, you know how much heroin was produced in Colombia?
Zero. Look at it now, and look at it over the past years. It flooded
into our streets and killed our children and our most productive
citizens and those with potential in this country by the thousands and
has left thousands being destroyed in Colombia.
This is a horrible amendment. It would be a horrible step backwards
to bring drugs into this country to stop a policy, and now we have been
blessed not only with a President with strong determination and a good,
successful policy in this country, but one in that country who just got
reelected, and to cut his legs out from under him at this juncture,
when he has experienced success, not only have we stopped the killings
and the murders and the slaughters there and stopped people from dying
in our streets, the economy has dramatically increased, almost doubled
in Colombia since Presidents Bush and Uribe's policies have taken
place.
This would be a step backward. This is a step towards death,
destruction and drugs coming into our country. I have had it with the
liberals who allowed this to happen and let thousands of people go to
their deaths in Colombia, who allowed drugs to proliferate in that
country and create and finance narco-terrorism which destroyed some of
that region and thousands of lives there and thousands of lives here.
If we pass that amendment, it is a horrible step back. I cannot tell
you how important this amendment is, not only to the lives in Colombia,
but to the lives of the young men and women and those in this country
that have been victims. I urge people to vote this down in huge
numbers.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I will insert in the Record at this point an article that recently
appeared in the Financial Times entitled, ``Colombia `most dangerous'
place for trade unionists'' in the world.
[From the Financial Times, June 6, 2006]
Colombia ``Most Dangerous'' Place for Trade Unionists
(By Frances Williams)
Colombia remains the most dangerous place on earth to be a
trade unionist, with 70 people killed there last year for
union activities.
In addition, 260 Colombian trade unionists received death
threats ``in a climate of continuing impunity for the
assassins, according to the annual survey released today by
the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.
Right-wing paramilitary groups and the state security
forces have been blamed for most of the violence in Colombia.
The ICFTU also records slayings in Brazil and Honduras, and a
``pervasive climate of violence and fear'' in Guatemala.
Worldwide, a total of 115 people were murdered for
defending workers' rights in 2005, more than 1,600 were
subjected to violent assaults and some 9,000 were arrested.
Apart from Colombia, the report highlights violence and
repression in Iraq, Iran, El Salvador, Djibouti, China,
Cambodia, Guatemala, Zimbabwe and Burma.
Though the death toll was down from 145 in 2004, almost
entirely due to fewer killings in Colombia, ``we are
nevertheless witnessing increasingly severe violence and
hostility against working people who stand up for their
rights,'' said Guy Ryder, ICFTU general secretary.
Even in the industrialised world workers' rights are
frequently violated or eroded, the report says. The Bush
administration is accused of encouraging ``union-busting''
through measures via its National Labour Relations Board to
reduce the influence of trade unions.
The ICFTU also notes aggressive publicity campaigns in the
US aimed at weakening workers' trust in trade unions.
Australia is criticised for a wave of anti-union laws that
it said would deprive most workers of protection from unfair
dismissal.
Publication of the report by Brussels-based ICFTU, whose
233 affiliated organisations represent 145m workers, is timed
to coincide with the annual conference of the International
Labour Organisation now underway in Geneva.
The conference is expected to condemn Belarus for
persistent interference in trade union affairs and to
consider action against Burma for its refusal to end forced
labour.
In Asia, violence against trade unionists by police and
security forces was documented last year in Burma, South
Korea, India, Cambodia and China, where dozens of trade union
activists continue to be incarcerated.
In the Middle East, 13 union representatives were
assassinated in Iraq and there were reports of torture and
violence against strikers in Iran. In several other countries
trade unions are outlawed or severely restricted.
In Africa, the report singles out Djibouti and Zimbabwe,
where the trade union movements suffer constant harassment by
the government of President Robert Mugabe.
Mr. Chairman, I would also insert in the Record an article that I
referred to earlier that appeared in the Boston Globe about how
``Colombia says soldiers killed antidrug police.'' That Colombia's
military unit assassinated a U.S.-trained, elite antinarcotics team at
the bidding of the drug mafia 2 weeks ago. And what is the response of
this House? Nothing. The United States Senate froze $30 million in
military aid because they were so outraged that the Colombian military,
who we finance, went out and killed in cold blood this anti-drug police
unit.
Mr. Chairman, we need to send a strong signal that we are not a cheap
date, that we are watching, that we care and we demand accountability.
[From the Boston Globe, June 6, 2006]
Colombia Says Soldiers Killed Antidrug Police
authorities probe colonel for link to major trafficker
(By Indira A.R. Lakshmanan)
Bogota.--Suspicions that a Colombian military unit
assassinated a US-trained, elite antinarcotics team at the
bidding of the drug mafia two weeks ago have proven true,
officials say, in a case that has badly shaken public
confidence in the military.
On May 22, 10 of the country's most successful antidrug
police were killed by a military platoon in the outskirts of
Jamundi, an area under the influence of narco-traffickers 195
miles southwest of the capital, near Cali.
Two military officers and six soldiers were arrested
Thursday on the basis of incriminating cellphone text
messages and crimescene evidence that investigators say
[[Page H3656]]
prove the eight men planned the killings. The suspects insist
the shootings were a ``friendly fire'' mistake.
``This was not a mistake, this was a crime; this was a
deliberate decision, a criminal decision,'' Attorney General
Mario Iguaran said last week. ``They were doing the bidding
of a drug trafficker.''
Authorities are investigating bank accounts allegedly
containing $44,000 belonging to Army Colonel Bayron Carvajal,
the most senior officer arrested, as well as his alleged
links to Omar Garcia Varela, according to Colombian newspaper
El Tiempo. Varela is accused of being right-hand man of drug
boss Diego Montoya, one of the United States' 10 most-wanted
narcotraffickers, who is believed to control properties and
drug laboratories near the site of fatal attack. The United
States has offered $5 million for information leading to
Montoya's capture.
Questions remain in the Jamundi case about the extent of
alleged collusion with drug traffickers within the armed
forces, and how high up it may go. The arrests came days
after the US State Department certified Colombia's human
rights record, ensuring the flow of most US military aid to
this country. Last year, Congress withheld some military
assistance on worries that the Colombian government, which
has waged a nearly decade-long campaign against drug
corruption, was ignoring extrajudicial killings or
cooperation between the military and right-wing death squads.
The Jamundi case has sparked a national outcry that has
reached up to President Alvaro Uribe, but Uribe on Friday
said he was not ready to oust generals to hold them
responsible for the killings. The best way to restore
military credibility, he said, would be to clarify events and
impose sanctions on the guilty.
Among the most damning evidence against the arrested
soldiers are text messages allegedly sent by Carvajal on the
day of the killing to the lieutenant and sergeant in charge
of the platoon.
``Pull back the ambush. . . . Everything is set for
tonight,'' read one message leaked by authorities to El
Tiempo and the newsmagazine Semana.
That afternoon, Carvajal sent another message, the media
reported: ``Get ready for the group to come with the chicken
so you can get it.''
``Chicken'' was the nickname of civilian informant Luis
Eduardo Betancur, who was leading police to a suspected 440-
pound stash of cocaine. Betancur was also a registered
informant of Carvajal, authorities say. He was found shot in
the neck, with his balaclava removed, investigators say.
Eight of the 10 police killed were shot in the back, and
``the crime scene was contaminated before investigators
arrived,'' said an investigative official yesterday who spoke
on condition of anonymity. Investigators suspect soldiers may
have fired shots from the police officers' weapons after they
died, in an effort to make it look like there was a
confrontation, El Tiempo reported.
Fewer than half of the soldiers in the 28-man platoon fired
at the police. Witnesses interviewed by telephone from
Jamundi say the police identified themselves during the
attack and begged the soldiers not to shoot.
More than half of the shots fired originated from a
military sniper who was hidden from view, said an
investigative official.
When colleagues of the slain police arrived at the scene to
investigate, another text message allegedly demanded to know
why they had been allowed to pass a military roadblock.
The police unit had been trained by the Drug Enforcement
Administration and was responsible for more than 200 arrests
of drug traffickers, including 23 wanted for extradition to
the United States.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
Schakowsky), who is an expert on Colombian's eradication policy.
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the
bipartisan McGovern amendment which I am also proud to cosponsor.
That passionate speech against liberals and against this piece of
legislation might be interesting, but it is absolutely wrong. The fact
that we have spent billions and billions of dollars in Colombia, and
the gentleman talked about success and failure, and all of the
evidence, the objective evidence, shows that this policy of fumigation
and drug eradication unfortunately has been an abject failure. As far
as ending violence in Colombia, I want to just give a couple of facts
that the gentleman from Massachusetts mentioned.
On May 22 of this year, soldiers of the Army's Third Brigade killed
10 members of Colombia's most elite police unit against narco-
trafficking, trained by the DEA, in what evidence shows was a
premeditated ambush. The police unit members who were killed had
captured 205 drug traffickers, 23 of whom had been sent to the United
States for trial. Armed Forces chief Mario Montoya initially called the
killings a case of friendly fire.
On June 1, two officers and six soldiers were arrested for the
massacre. Colombian Attorney General Mario Iguaran said in announcing
the arrests: ``It was not a mistake. It was an ambush planned as a
favor to the drug traffickers.'' The Army officers apparently were
working for the mafia.
The International Committee of the Red Cross found that 13.6 percent
increase in forced disappearances between 2004 and 2005. According to
CODHES, the Colombian nongovernment organization that maintains data on
forced displacement, the number of people forced from their homes by
violence increased by 8 percent from 2004 to 2005.
But you know what, we are not really having a debate about that
because the modest offsets that we are talking about still leaves the
accounts for drug eradication at $9 million above the President's
request, but let us look at how that money has been spent.
In Colombia and in the Andean region, as I said, the U.S. has
invested billions of dollars, hundreds of millions year after year of
our taxpayers dollars, and what have we gotten? Plan Colombia was
supposed to reduce Colombia's cultivation and distribution of drugs by
50 percent, but 6 years and $4.7 billion later, the drug control
results are meager at best. If you look at the U.S. government data,
our own data, there is as much coca today in Colombia and as much
cocaine in the United States as there was 6 years ago.
But I want to get back to the point. What we are trying to do is to
have a commonsense and compassionate effort to produce modest
additional resources to help President Bush alleviate some of the
world's most dire humanitarian crises. There is a lot that happens
around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we
cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when
we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can
help. That is what this is about.
I have travelled to places like Colombia and places where people are
suffering. We are asking for a modest amount of money to be transferred
out of this account, and the simple choice is should we overfund our
efforts in Colombia by a lot or a little or should we do all we can to
maximize the President's power to help the powerless suffering as a
result of genocide and other crises.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume to
respond to what the gentlewoman from Illinois said.
{time} 1000
First of all, with regard to the accounts. It is true that the total
amount in here for Colombia is above where the President requested. But
in the ACI, that is absolutely not true.
I would just remind the gentlewoman from Illinois that the amount we
have in this bill is $384 million. If you cut another $30 million, you
would be at $354. The President requested $506 million for the ACI
account. So the gentlewoman is absolutely incorrect in stating the
amount that goes for the ACI. She just had her figures incorrect
because she wasn't aware, I think, of the restructuring that we have
done of this account.
Now, I want to just respond to what she was saying about the failures
that we have had. I would stipulate to the gentlewoman from Illinois
that our eradication programs have not been as good as we would like.
She is wrong about the interdiction. We are having success with the
interdiction. And we are having success with the interdiction because
we have a president down there that is committed to making it work,
committed to making Colombians more secure, and committed to providing
people with economic well-being in the country.
Now, do bad things happen still? Yes. There are still too many
homicides and there are still too many kidnappings. Sadly, we know our
own troops have sometimes strayed and done things wrong. We know in our
own cities that police departments sometimes stray and do things that
are not right. But things are getting better in Colombia. There is more
security in Colombia. There are fewer homicides. There are fewer
kidnappings. The presence of the government in municipalities, of
police in municipalities has increased. Roads are open and commerce is
moving again in the country.
What a time to send a signal to them that we are going to cut them;
that we
[[Page H3657]]
are going to say you are not successful. What we have done in this bill
is to restructure the accounts so that much of the aid now flows
through traditional accounts of the Economic Support Fund, the
Development Assistance, the INCLE funds, and those kinds of accounts.
And we are saying to Colombia, you are a strategic partner. We believe
that you are succeeding and we are going to put the aid, as we do with
other countries, in these kinds of categories.
But this is not the time to be cutting the funding for drug
interdiction. And I hope this body will reject this amendment very
soundly.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, we are very much committed to Colombia
and committed to success, but the fact of the matter is that after $4.7
billion there is even more coca in Colombia today than there was in
Plan Colombia's first year. We want success. We want to achieve
results. We just don't want to go along because we don't want to admit
that maybe we can improve this policy.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished ranking
Democrat on the House Committee on Armed Services (Mr. Skelton).
Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I might point out,
Mr. Chairman, that I take a back seat to no one regarding fighting the
scourge of illegal drugs. And being a former prosecuting attorney, I
know full well the scourge of that problem.
However, Mr. Chairman, the American taxpayers have spent over $4.7
billion on the Andean Counterdrug Initiative since the year 2000.
Despite that commitment, the production in that country is higher now
than ever. We need to ensure we are spending money wisely. We must
ensure we are addressing the root causes of the drug problem in
Colombia.
Let me point out that the committee provides $545 million for this
program and we are diverting, by way of this amendment, a very good
amendment, only $30 million, which, by the way, if you subtract
carefully, still leaves more than the President recommended for this
program.
I am glad that we have been able to support President Uribe and the
Colombian military against guerrilla groups, but I still question the
stability of our military efforts in that country. And I think we are
also working our special operation forces very, very hard during this
time of war elsewhere.
It has been a long time since the House Armed Services Committee has
seriously focused any attention on the security changes in Latin
America. We ought to take our congressional oversight role seriously.
We should hold hearings, give full consideration to American policy in
this critical part of the world. If we are not careful, the gathering
storm in Latin America could come back to bite us in years to come.
This amendment, which I support, sends a clear message to Colombian
and other Andean countries that while the American people will support
their governments to a point, the financial assistance is not unlimited
and should not go unchecked. Colombia must decrease coca production and
better account for human rights concerns.
This amendment transfers $30 million out of the Andean Counterdrug
Initiative account to humanitarian assistance in the Sudan and in
Darfur, which is highly needed and necessary, in my opinion, and it
still leaves more money than what the President recommended for this
antidrug program in the Andean area.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, what is the time remaining on both sides?
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona has 18\1/2\ minutes
remaining, the gentleman from Massachusetts has 16 minutes remaining.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to any
attempts to cut funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative.
President Uribe's reelection to a historic second term reaffirms the
Colombian people's commitment to his program of democratic security and
the war on drugs. His popularity among Colombians illustrates how
important the struggle against narcoterrorism is and it helps measure
success over the last few years.
Under Uribe's leadership, Colombians finally have the courage to
fight back against the FARC and the drug traffickers. And as the rest
of the continent is moving away from the United States, Colombia
remains our staunchest ally in South America. We need to reaffirm, not
dismantle, our commitment to this program, to the people of Colombia,
and to American citizens who want illegal drugs off their streets.
I have led several congressional delegations to Colombia during my
time as chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and I can say
firsthand that our significant investment is paying dividends.
Together, with the strong commitments of the Uribe administration and
historic levels of support from the Colombian people, U.S. involvement
in Colombia is beginning to hit narcoterrorism where it hurts.
Mr. Chairman, how can we cut funding when we are seeing tremendous
results in illegal crop eradication and record reductions in coca
productions and the destruction of drug labs? Coca eradication through
spraying have gone from 47,000 hectares the first year of Plan Colombia
to 138,000 last year. As a result of ACI funding, we are seeing
unprecedented levels of drug interdictions. Drug flow to the U.S. has
dropped by 7 percent, making American streets safer for our youth.
Progress like this would not be possible under the amendment.
The Colombian Government is reestablishing state presence in areas of
the country that for decades have lacked it. All 1,098 Colombian
municipalities now have a permanent presence thanks to President
Uribe's fearless efforts. Criminals who have remained at bay for years
are being captured and extradited to the U.S. for prosecution. Colombia
has extradited over 300 Colombian citizens to the U.S. since August of
2002, mostly on narcotics-related charges. How can we justify pulling
the plug on the ACI funding when we are seeing record numbers of
extraditions to the U.S. of FARC and drug cartel members?
Over 30,000 paramilitaries have now been demobilized since President
Uribe took office. Thousands of weapons and rounds of ammunition have
been surrendered. The demobilization and reincorporation of illegal
armed groups is part of a peace process that is providing stability to
the entire Andean region. Colombians are finally beginning to feel safe
and secure in their own country. Kidnappings are down by 51 percent and
the murder rate has dropped to 13 percent.
Mr. Chairman, Plan Colombia is working. I have seen firsthand the
devastation that drug production and trafficking has on Colombia. To
those who question our investment, I would ask them to visit, as I
have, Colombian soldiers who have lost their limbs or eyesight or
sustained permanent disability in their battle to return peace to their
nation and to keep drugs off American streets.
I would also ask them to visit Barrio Nelson Mandela, a USAID-
sponsored facility for internally displaced people who have been forced
from their homes by drug traffickers and guerrillas. This facility
showed me how work on behalf of Colombia's millions of internally
displaced people is offering suffering men, women, and children a
second chance at a violence-free and productive life.
On a trip to Colombia last year, I accompanied the Colombian National
Police to a manual eradication site in the Andean mountains and helped
them pull the coca crop from the mountainous terrain that helicopters
can't reach. These are dedicated people who literally risk their lives
to destroy the drug trade and rid their country of drugs and violence.
My travels to Colombia have shown me just how critical U.S.
assistance is to their government. With such promising results over the
last 5 years, we have to sustain this momentum, not wipe it out. Of
course obstacles remain. The progress is slower than we would like it
to be. But now is not the time to turn our backs on this battle that is
so intrinsically tied to the war on terrorism and the scourge of
illegal drug use.
The Uribe administration, reelected with 62 percent of the vote last
week, needs U.S. assistance to improve mobility, intelligence, and
training. Make
[[Page H3658]]
no mistake, Colombia today is doing its share. Spending on security
forces has increased under President Uribe and continues in his second
term. We simply cannot afford for President Uribe to fail in this
heroic effort to rid his country of the narcoterrorist threat, nor
would Colombians understand such a step if this amendment prevails.
Full funding of the Andean Counterdrug Initiative for FY 2007 is
critical to sustaining our success in Colombia.
It is simple, Mr. Chairman. Now is not the time to turn our backs on
the progress we are making against narcoterrorism in Colombia. We can't
win this war on drugs and drug-supported terrorism without the proper
tools and resources. And the message this sends to our allies would be
devastating.
I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the McGovern amendment.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I think it is important to put this
debate in perspective. Nobody is talking about the dismantling our
support for Colombia. Nobody is talking about withdrawing all of our
support to Colombia. What we are talking about is sending the
appropriate message at this appropriate time.
I will agree with the gentleman that fumigation has never been
higher. But the problem is that there is even more coca in Colombia
today than there was in Plan Colombia's first year. So maybe we need to
rethink our strategy. Maybe it is not working. I think any reasonable
person who looks at the statistics, provided by our own government,
would come to that conclusion.
I will agree with the gentleman that President Uribe deserves credit
for lowering the number of kidnappings in Colombia. But I am not
prepared to give him a pat on the back in the face of what just
happened, where U.S.-funded Colombian military soldiers went out and
killed in cold blood antinarcotic policemen who are dedicated to
combating drugs in Colombia.
What kind of message are we sending when we respond to that by doing
nothing, by saying you have to continue to get everything that you
expect? The United States Senate understands what is at stake. They
froze $30 million in military aid in response to that. We need to send
a signal too: we are not a cheap date. We want to support you, but we
want there to be accountability. We want an end to the violence. We
want the military not to be above the law.
Having said that, Mr. Chairman, I yield at this time 2\1/2\ minutes
to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentleman for yielding and
also just thank you for your strong advocacy for human rights, global
refugees on so many fronts.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this effort. This amendment simply
provides an additional $30 million to the Emergency Refugee and
Migration Assistance Account, and it still includes, and I have to
reiterate, it still includes $515 million for Colombia, and it is still
$9 million more than the President's 2007 request for Colombia.
To my colleague Mr. Mica and his comments with regard to liberals,
and I do not know if you said you were tired of liberals or fed up with
liberals, but let me just say to you that if helping our country
respond quickly and flexibly to humanitarian disasters, if rethinking a
policy and making sure that we are trying to really reduce the
kidnappings and violence in Colombia, if that is what we are trying to
do, then I am very proud, I am very proud to be a liberal.
In recent years, ERMA was used to help drought-ridden Somalis and
provide refugee aid to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. In Sudan, where more than 3.4 million people are displaced,
urgent needs are there for ERMA funding. The funding need is very
clear.
After Sudan, Colombia has the largest number of internally displaced
persons. Estimates range from 2 to 3.6 million individuals. Less than a
third of Colombia's IDPs receive emergency assistance, and many, many
have to wait months to receive that emergency aid. And let me tell you,
of those traditionally marginalized Afro Colombians and indigenous
communities, these individuals, these communities have been
disproportionately affected.
In Burundi, 2.2 million people, including refugees and returnees,
need immediate aid to cope with malnourishment and disease. In Northern
Uganda, there are more than 1.8 million internally displaced persons
desperately in need of assistance.
{time} 1015
These statistics just really touch the surface of an expanding global
refugee crisis.
Due to the critical need, the account reached its lowest point in a
decade. We can and we must do more to help global victims of violence
cope with the loss of everything that they know and love. Even if the
additional $30 million that this amendment provides only allows ERMA to
ensure food deliveries to helpless refugees, countless lives will be
saved. Innumerable people will feel the goodwill and support of the
United States.
This is about helping persons who have been stripped of family,
friends, homes, and their basic protections. Today we need to stand by
the victims of violence by supporting this amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the very distinguished
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) who has certainly been at the
forefront of this issue.
(Mr. BURTON of Indiana asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman
for yielding.
I cannot understand why anybody would want to start cutting funding
to Colombia for the war against terror. It would be a terrible mistake
to do that right now. President Uribe was just reelected. He is doing
everything possible to stop the drug cartels from sending drugs to the
United States and other parts of the world. After just being reelected
and meeting with many of us in Costa Rica a few weeks ago, for us to
start cutting funding when they need more resources to fight the war
against drugs is absolutely insane, in my opinion.
The Speaker of the House is very aware of this issue. He just worked
with me to get three additional platform aircraft to police the drugs
coming through the Caribbean. If we didn't have those resources, the
drug cartels would have a free rein to go through the Caribbean. We
need additional helicopters and there is additional money in there for
that. And for us to start cutting that right now would give the drug
cartels all kinds of reasons to invest more money to start expanding
the drug operation down there.
In addition, let me say that we have talked about these 11 policemen
who were murdered by the Colombian military. I am confident, and I have
talked to President Uribe about this, they are going to investigate
this thoroughly. And if there are military personnel that actually did
the killing, and we believe that is the case, they will be brought to
justice. And no money, none of this money is going to go to any
military unit that is involved in any activity like this.
So the bottom line is it is extremely important if we believe in
keeping drugs off the streets of America that this fight continue. And
to start cutting back dramatically and sending this money someplace
else because of budgetary constraints is the wrong thing to do.
Visitors from across this country will tell you the number one issue
facing this country is the drug problem, and the drugs which are
killing our kids and ruining their lives.
This is a very important issue, and it must not take a back seat to
any other issue. We must make sure that the resources to continue the
war against drugs are given to the people that need it. Colombia is in
the forefront, and President Uribe has done an outstanding job, and he
needs all of the help he can get and we need to give it to him.
I rise in very strong opposition to the proposed cut in narco-
terrorism fighting assistance to our good friend and ally Colombia,
especially so, at this critical point in the global war on terror.
While the amendment's author wants to talk about more and more coca,
he doesn't want to talk about the more than a half dozen helicopters
the Committee has wisely provided the new means for the world renowned
Colombian National Police (CNP) anti-drug unit to use to take on the
increased coca we have now discovered. The committee also wisely
[[Page H3659]]
freed up at least 10 more helicopters to be used by the Colombian Army
for drug interdiction and additional eradication to take on the new
coca challenge as well. That is a total of 16 more helicopters for the
drug fight.
We found the coca in more remote areas of Colombia where the narco-
terrorists flee our joint aerial eradication. This new helicopter
allocation will permit us to go after that new crop. They may well soon
run out of places to hide if we do our job right. We cannot cut and run
now.
In addition, I note also little reference by the gentleman from
Massachusetts to opium and heroin and the progress and lives saved from
our eradication and other efforts against that even more deadly and
addictive drug (14 percent more addictive) from nearby Colombia. Until
we went after the heroin at the source in Colombia, South American
heroin was spreading rapidly across America from New York, Baltimore,
Boston and other areas on the East Coast, on into places like Chicago
in the Midwest, and further west.
There was a major breakup in December 2005 of a Colombian heroin ring
in the Boston, Lawrence, Lynn, and Everett Massachusetts area by our
DEA and local police with the cooperation of the Colombian National
Police (CNP), who benefit from Plan Colombia aid. We cannot and ought
not end those law enforcement efforts as well in places like the Boston
area.
Prices have risen by 30 percent and purity has fallen 22 percent from
2003 to 2004 in the once deadly heroin from Colombia according to ONDCP
data released this past November.
Young lives have been saved and many overdoses avoided here because
of our eradication and other Plan Colombia efforts against South
American heroin.
Unlike cocaine, which you can interdict in the multiton loads, heroin
comes in concealed, one deadly kilo at a time in shoes, cloths, or
baggage, and is nearly impossible to interdict after it leaves
Colombia. Either spray it, or you will find it on the streets and
communities of America taking lives and creating havoc. We have done
this with South American heroin. The critics are silent on that part of
Plan Colombia and the success we have witnessed.
``Just say no'' to this ill-advised and unproductive cut in aid for
Colombia, a key strategic partner in the global war on terrorism in our
own backyard and around the globe, including in Afghanistan where the
Colombian National Police will soon be helping train the Afghan anti-
drug units.
We owe them, and our kids as well, a Stay-the-Course Approach. Vote
``no.''
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Facts are stubborn things, and maybe I haven't been clear in this
debate, but when the opposition here talks about we are cutting aid to
Colombia, that is not true.
The bottom line is we are providing Colombia everything that the
President of the United States has requested, plus $9 million more.
That is not cutting Colombia. That is not walking away from the drug
war.
What we are frustrated with is the billions that we are spending are
not accomplishing the goals we were promised. We are concerned there
could continue to be gross human rights violations by the Colombian
military. We want to send a signal and strengthen President Uribe's
hands in helping to bring those military men to justice who committed
those terrible murders against those police officers. We also want to
call attention to the fact that all of this money that we have been
sending down there has done nothing to reduce the amount of coca
cultivation and growth in that country.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California
(Ms. Zoe Lofgren), the co-chair of the Refugee Caucus.
Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Chairman, not only as the co-chair
of the Refugee Caucus, but as a member of the Immigration Border
Security and Claims Subcommittee, which has oversight over U.S. refugee
programs, I am a strong supporter and, indeed, cosponsor of this
amendment.
Members have said they would like to give a message to Colombia.
Well, I would like to send a message to the refugees who are sitting in
camps in Darfur who have been notified that their pathetic rations have
been cut in half to the point where they do not have enough food to
actually survive. I would like to focus in on where the funds are
going.
The ERMA account is authorized, has a permanent level of
authorization of $100 million. So this amendment, which would put ERMA
at $60 million, would only bring ERMA to 60 percent of the authorized
level. It is worth noting that we are at $24 million today in the ERMA
account. That is the lowest level at this point in the fiscal year over
a decade, and because a drawdown is in the works, our refugee program
is going to start the new fiscal year with close to zero funds.
It has been noted by others that the funds to Colombia are not being
slashed, they are being authorized at above what the President has
requested. But we need to take a look at what not funding refugee
programs does not only for the people who are suffering, but for
stability in the world.
We know if refugee situations completely get out of control, that we
create little pockets of instability around the world that can then
form areas where al Qaeda can move in and organize terrorist training
camps. So to form an argument that somehow funding our moral obligation
to the refugees of the world is also adverse to our security interests
is a false analysis.
I was struck about 2 years ago when the Darfur crisis really hit the
public consciousness. We had an ad hoc meeting, and it was liberals and
conservatives. And I thought this is a unique situation where Members
of this body who ordinarily do not agree on anything have come together
out of a sense of moral obligation to refugees around the world. I
would hope that that morality that led us to stand together facing the
Darfur situation will join us once again when this vote comes up, to
take a stand for morality and to help those who are helpless around the
world who are refugees that we, as moral people, owe a debt to.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I just want to respond to one thing that the gentlewoman said before
I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas. I just want to
respond to what she said about the Migration and Refugee account and
Darfur. She made a reference to the fact that food rations in Darfur
might be cut in half. We have provided in the fiscal year 2006, the
current year's bill, we have $320 million for Darfur for food programs.
When the United Nations said they might still have to cut the rations
in half, the President, out of Public Law 480, pledged another $200
million. That is $520 million that the United States has pledged for
food in Darfur. You know what the next largest country is? Libya at $4
million.
So I hardly think the United States has been delinquent in the amount
of money that we have provided in Darfur.
Meanwhile, we have problems in our own hemisphere and we have
problems on our own streets. We have problems in our schools and in our
families with drugs that run rampant in our society. We do have an
obligation to ourselves to try to prevent that from happening. We have
a partner in Colombia that is attempting to do that.
This amendment is a signal to that partner that we do not believe his
country should be a partner in our attack on drugs in this country.
This would be the wrong thing for us to do at this time.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr.
Boozman).
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am a member of the Committee on
International Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Human Rights,
and I have great sympathy for what you are trying to accomplish in the
sense that I think the Emergency Refugee Migration Assistance fund does
a great job.
On the other hand, as a member of the Speaker's drug task force, and
very active in the war against drugs, this is not the vehicle to do
this in. I have had an opportunity to go to Colombia and see the
progress that is being made. I very strongly oppose the McGovern
amendment. I have had an opportunity to visit with the police and the
armed services in Colombia, and they are doing a good job and
tremendous progress is being made.
We had an opportunity to go out on a mock drug expedition where we
went out in the cigar boats and saw firsthand how they go after the
drug traffickers. Probably 2 hours after we left, they actually
captured a boat that had several hundred pounds of illegal drugs on it.
So they are doing a good job.
Again, I very strongly disagree that the money needs to be reduced.
In regard to the Colombian police situation, as we know on May 22,
2006, 10
[[Page H3660]]
members of the Colombian Judicial Police force, known as the DIJIN,
were murdered by members of the Colombian army. These brave police
officers were investigating a drug trafficking incident when they were
captured and shot execution-style by army soldiers.
Since the incident, the Uribe government has moved quickly to launch
an aggressive independent inquiry by the attorney general's office in
Colombia. Because of these actions and because of the fact that
Colombians are doing the right thing in this instance, we need to vote
``no'' on this amendment.
Mr. OBEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Mr. Chairman, I want to put in perspective what this amendment is
trying to do. As I understand the situation, this bill raises the
eradication funds in Colombia by $30 million. It also cuts $103 million
from refugees.
All Mr. McGovern is trying to do is to take that $30 million increase
that the committee has provided for eradication in Colombia and move it
back into an account that has already been cut by almost three times as
much as the amount of money he is trying to put back in the refugee
account.
I remember when Bill Lehman from Florida used to take this floor
every year. There was no better human being I have ever met in this
place than Bill Lehman, and he used to routinely remind us that there
is no more miserable person in the world than a refugee. They live in
often abominable conditions, and they have nowhere to turn.
We have Members in this House who will engage in all kinds of
meaningless gestures when it comes to Darfur. They will sign onto a
letter to the President, and they will sign onto a bill that they know
is going nowhere, and then they will put out their press releases
posing for political holy pictures on how much they care about refugees
and how much they care about Darfur. And yet what they do doesn't
produce one plugged nickel.
If you want to do something real for those wretched creatures, you
will do what Mr. McGovern is trying to do: You will add this tiny
little dollop of money back to the refugee account.
I mean, if you want a perfect example of money that isn't working,
it's money that is spent on eradication.
{time} 1030
I remember when we had a huge fight under the Reagan administration
about how we were going to pull money into eradication and
interdiction. And then I had one of the people in charge of the program
come to me silently and say, ``Don't believe what we are saying. We
only interdict 2 percent of the drugs.''
I thought conservatives routinely gave liberals lectures about
looking at the effectiveness of programs. Well, I can tell you right
now, we are not being effective when you have to cut half the food
rations for refugees in Darfur. We are not being very effective in
meeting our obligations there.
So I would suggest if anybody thinks we are harming the program in
Colombia, all we are doing is saying return that budget request to the
same level that was requested by that well-known liberal leftist,
George W. Bush. That is all this amendment is doing. I would urge its
adoption.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to just correct, for the record, a couple of comments that the
gentleman from Wisconsin made for whom I have the greatest respect. He
talked about a $107 million cut in these accounts. Let me just make it
clear what we are really talking about. There is an $82 million
reduction in the migration refugee assistance account. That $82
million, however, has nothing to do with refugees abroad. That is for
admissions to the United States. And the numbers, 55,000 persons that
are coming in, are exactly the same as last year. So we are continuing
the program exactly as we have it.
I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. OBEY. I thank the gentleman, and he is my good friend. But the
fact is that the refugee count is being cut.
Mr. KOLBE. I am trying to explain what it is.
Mr. OBEY. I understand you are saying it is in a different pocket,
but the overall account is being cut, right?
Mr. KOLBE. It is not the money, however, that goes to assist refugees
overseas. It is admissions.
Mr. OBEY. This House thought of it yesterday that we wouldn't do
anything about them, didn't they? This House denied the funds for
fixing that problem yesterday, didn't they?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, the point that I am
trying to make is that it is the processing of refugees inside of
United States. We are not talking about people who are in camps
overseas, who might not have food, might not have sanitation. That is
not what is being cut.
The other account that is being cut $25 million is the ERMA account.
And that is because they have a carryover of about 15 million. The 30
million that we have provided here brings them up to 45 million, and
that is the average of what they have spent. It is an emergency
drawdown account and they have spent that amount each year. So we are
adequately covering the migration, the refugee and migration issues in
our bill.
I yield once more to the gentleman.
Mr. OBEY. I thank the gentleman. I would simply say the fact is, you
don't just have to look at what this bill does today on this amendment.
You have to look at the whole and what it did yesterday on the Egypt
amendment, coupled with what it is doing here today, and that means we
have shortchanged those refugees.
Mr. KOLBE. And reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I would say that
yes, we are looking at it on the whole, and I believe that on the whole
we are adequately covering these accounts.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I just want to alert the Members that there is broad support for this
amendment. The support ranges from the American Refugee Committee to
Amnesty International to the International Crisis Group, International
Rescue Committee, the Jesuit Conference, Mercy Corps, Refugees
International, the Steel Workers, the United Methodist Church. I could
go on and on and on.
Support for this amendment ranges from--The American
Refugee Committee, Amnesty International, The International
Crisis Group, International Rescue Committee, The Jesuit
Conference, Mercy Corps,
To--Refugees International, The Steelworkers, The United
Methodist Church.
____
Dear Congressman McGovern: We are writing to express our
strong support for your efforts to increase funding for the
Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) account
during floor consideration of the Fiscal Year 2007 Foreign
Operations Appropriations bill.
The ERMA account, managed by the State Department's Bureau
of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), is one of two
refugee assistance accounts that help the United States meet
its national interests by protecting and assisting refugees
and internally displaced persons who have been victims of
persecution and conflict. ERMA funding supports programs that
relieve explosive international tensions and set an example
for the rest of the world. In addition to helping address
unexpected refugee and displacement crises, ERMA supports
humanitarian agencies on the front lines of both new and
longstanding crises around the world--stretching from Iraq
and Sudan to Colombia and Haiti. Recent ERMA drawdowns have
responded to the Pakistan earthquake; refugee repatriation in
Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo; the
humanitarian crises in Somalia; and breakdowns in the food
pipeline for refugees in Africa and elsewhere.
The ERMA balance currently stands at $24 million--the
lowest level in a decade. PRM generally draws down between
$60 million and $70 million in ERMA funding annually and
requires a beginning-year balance of between $70 million and
$100 million to have the flexibility needed to respond
quickly to emergencies.
It is therefore difficult for us to understand the severe
cuts in the ERMA, as well as other humanitarian accounts,
being recommended by the House Appropriations Committee. The
Committee's reduction of ERMA funding--to a level of 28
percent below the President's FY 07 request--comes at a time
when PRM is struggling to cope with serious budgetary
constraints. These cuts, which also have impacted the
Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account, threaten the
life-saving assistance provided to persons caught in the
tragic violence of Sudan, Colombia, and other conflict-
affected areas.
We urge the House of Representatives to restore funding for
these critical humanitarian programs and strongly support
your efforts on the House floor to address the cuts in the
ERMA account.
Sincerely,
Air Serv International.
American Jewish World Service.
American Refugee Committee.
Catholic Relief Services.
Episcopal Migration Ministries.
[[Page H3661]]
Ethiopian Community Development Council.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.
International Catholic Migration Commission.
International Rescue Committee.
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA.
Kurdish Human Rights Watch. Inc.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
Mercy Corps.
National Peace Corps Association.
Oxfam America.
Refugees International.
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.
World Relief.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Chairman, at issue in this case are Colombia
priorities, but in a different sense than is usually assumed. The
priority debate today is not about whether stemming the drug trade is
appropriate, but the methodology of going about it.
Quasi-military approaches fit war scenarios. Civil war is more
problematic; criminal activities even more so. My concern is that when
America becomes intertwined in internal conflicts, we change the nature
of the ongoing struggle, as well as the motivation of various
combatants. We become implicitly accountable for a panoply of policies
of any side we back and, accordingly, answerable to the people for that
side's allegiance or lack thereof to social fairness and sometimes the
rule of law itself.
In this context, wouldn't it be better to limit our military
involvement in this struggling, divided country and focus efforts on
replenishing the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance program?
This assistance program allows the President to respond quickly to
urgent, often unexpected, crises throughout the world. For instance, it
is this program that the President tapped last year to provide
assistance to the victims of the Pakistani earthquake.
Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment and I respect very much the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for enlightened leadership
on a whole host of issues. But I don't support the amendment out of a
conviction it is an answer to a real dilemma between both the Colombian
and American people, but out of a belief that a military emphasis of
this kind carries many counterproductive consequences.
There is no track record that this program has been particularly
helpful, and some indications that the results have been
disadvantageous to the United States. So I would argue that there are
better uses for these very scarce resources.
And I would suggest again that when we think about realism in world
affairs, the test is effectiveness. Here the effectiveness that the
United States has exhibited in compassion for refugees is far more
apparent than the tests that might be applied to this particular
program based on any past record.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I am the last remaining speaker on my
side. I don't know whether you have any other speakers.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, if you will close on your side and yield
back, I will close on our side.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, let me just kind of go over a few things
here. First of all, on the issue that somehow we are withdrawing from
our support for Colombia, let me remind my colleagues that the
President of the United States asked for $506.2 million. The committee
provided $545.2 million. My amendment would reduce that to $515.2
million, or $9 million above the President's request for Colombia. So
we are not doing anything here to walk away from Colombia.
Secondly, on the issue of human rights, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights reported this year that more grave
violations of human rights were committed directly by Colombia's
military forces than in the past. The ICRC has recorded a 13.6 percent
increase in disappearances. The number of people forced from their
homes by violence increased by 8 percent over the past year.
I introduced into the Record earlier, and I will remind my colleagues
about an article that appeared in the Financial Times. The headlines,
Colombia, The Most Dangerous Place For Trade Unionists. And I also
inserted into the Record, and I will remind my colleagues about this
article that appeared in a number of newspapers that the Colombian
military units assassinated U.S. trained antinarcotics teams at the
bidding of the drug mafia. So in some areas, there is improvement, but
Colombia is still near the top of any human rights watch list.
Let me, again, make one other point that I have made repeatedly here.
We have invested $4.7 million in Colombia. We were promised that coca
cultivation would be cut by 50 percent by the proponents of this. The
bottom line is, according to this chart, that has not happened. In
fact, coca cultivation has actually increased in Colombia.
I agree with my friend from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) when he says the
conservatives are supposed to, they don't want to eliminate waste and
demand more efficiency in government. Well, by any measure, this has
not been an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
So, Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, let me just say that we have heard
the arguments on the other side. Massive increases in fumigation,
overwhelming support for President Uribe, kidnappings down, cities and
highways safer. Well, Mr. Chairman, that is all true. But massive
increases in fumigation have not led to any reduction in coca
cultivation. Overwhelming popular support for President Uribe has not
resulted in even a dent in the impunity enjoyed by military officers
tied to drug lords, mafia kings, paramilitaries and who carry out
violent human rights crimes and other criminal acts. Kidnappings are
down, but assassinations, disappearances and death threats against
labor, religious indigenous Afro-Colombian and other community leaders
is skyrocketing according to the United Nations High Commissioner on
Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross and every
other reputable human rights organization in the world. And if cities
and highways are safer, the rural country side is as dangerous,
violent, bloody and as perilous as ever.
We can do something good with this amendment. We can do something
right. We can provide the President with a little more than he asked
for, both for refugee emergencies and for Colombia. So I would urge my
colleagues to support the McGovern-Leach-Payne-Lofgren-McCollum-
Grijalva-Schakowsky-Lee amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona has 4 minutes remaining.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I won't take the time, but I yield myself
the balance of my time.
Mr. Chairman, I think we have had a thorough debate on this. I will
be very quick in my close here simply to say this is the wrong policy
and the wrong message at the wrong time. This is not what we need to be
doing with Colombia. This is not what we need to be doing on drug
interdiction. We need to be saying to this country which has stood
strong, to this country which has been courageous in its efforts to
provide security for its own citizens, to provide for drug eradication,
to provide for drug interdiction, we need to say to this country, to
its leadership, to its president who was just elected by the largest
margin in modern history in Colombia, we need to say to them, we stand
with you. We support you in your efforts, because what you are doing in
Colombia is on behalf also of the American citizens in the United
States that we can save our children from drugs. This is not the time
to send the signal that we do not believe that Colombia is doing what
it needs to be doing.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the McGovern
amendment. Not only will this amendment hurt kids and families in the
United States, but it makes the futures of kids and families in
Colombia less secure.
Drug trafficking is a tough problem. I am not going to admit that it
is not a tough problem. Rape is a tough problem. Child abuse is a tough
problem. Spouse abuse is a tough problem, but we do not give up our
efforts; we do not give in because we have not seen a drop in spouse
abuse or child abuse.
Just like the others, the drug trafficking problem is difficult. Our
policies, however, have pushed the narcoterrorists out into the jungle,
away from the streets of Bogota where
[[Page H3662]]
they used to assassinate elected officials. Because of the steadfast
assistance provided by the American people to the people of Colombia,
we have seen a tremendous drop in kidnappings (down 51 percent last
year) and a dramatic drop in murders (down 13 percent). Overall
terrorist attacks were down by 21 percent. The number of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) was down by 15 percent.
The fact is that now, for the first time in modern history, every one
of the 1,098 municipalities has an elected official. Why? Because they
are not worried about being murdered anymore.
Due to the improved security situation in Colombia, law enforcement
and military personnel are able to broaden their reach in the country.
This puts pressure on the operations of the narcotraffickers, exposing
their operations and coca fields.
Increasing the reach of law enforcement is part of the reason why we
have a better understanding this year on the extent of coca
cultivation. Cultivation declined 8% in those areas surveyed both in
2004 and 2005, from 114,100 hectares in 2004 to 105,400 in 2005.
Cultivation fell in nearly all growing areas where aerial eradication
was employed, Putumayo being a key exception. But in those areas where
no spraying takes place, cultivation increased. Growers are reacting to
intense spray operations and are moving to non-sprayed on low-spray
areas.
Critics of our drug policies in Colombia are correct in stating that
the coca crop estimate is 26% higher than it was last year. True
enough. But this was due to a substantial expansion of the survey area
by 81%. As we expected, more fields were discovered in remote areas
uncontrolled by the government or areas where spraying is prohibited
(e.g. buffer zone along Ecuador border or national parks). The lesson,
however, is that spraying works. Where there was not spraying there was
an increase in coca; where spraying occurs, cultivation is declining.
Let me conclude with this. This is not a Colombian problem; it is our
problem. It is our addictions and Europe's addictions that have
terrorized this 200-year-old democracy. Because drug abuse continues in
America, Colombia has had 30,000 police killed. As our colleague Joe
Crowley wrote to us earlier this year, ``Plan Colombia has been a
foreign policy success for the USA and a domestic security success for
Colombia. Started by President Clinton and continued by President Bush,
Plan Colombia has made measurable progress in Colombia's security, as
seen through decreases in violence, murders and kidnappings, as well as
the eradication of drug crops.''
We need to stand behind the Colombia people. I ask, my colleagues to
vote down the McGovern amendment.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the
McGovern, Leach, Payne, Lofgren, McCollum Amendment that increases
funding by $30 million for the U.S. Emergency Refugee & Migration
Assistance Fund (ERMA). It will meet this additional expense by
reducing funding for Plan Colombia by $30 million.
ERMA helps the United States respond rapidly to humanitarian
disasters around the world. Unfortunately, as we have seen a number of
humanitarian disasters recently such as the ongoing genocide in the
Darfur region of the Sudan this funding is desperately needed. ERMA
funds have been used to meet the needs of victims of the October 2005
earthquake in Pakistan, address the humanitarian crisis in the West
Bank and Gaza, help stave off widespread starvation in drought-stricken
Somalia, and aid refugee repatriation and reintegration in Burundi and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A $30 million increase in ERMA
funding will greatly assist some of the poorest and most vulnerable
individuals in the world today--displaced refugees.
In contrast, we have spent nearly $5 billion since 2000 on coca
eradication in the Andes. This year we will over $800 million on the
Colombia government's coca eradication efforts with 80% of this funding
going to the Colombian military. Despite this enormous outlay of money,
coca cultivation in the Andes has only increased over the last six
years. Furthermore, the Colombian government and military have the
dubious distinction of having among the worst human rights records in
the world.
I am proud to support the McGovern, Leach, Payne, Lofgren, McCollum
Amendment and encourage a ``yes'' vote.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the McGovern
amendment. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia. I know first hand
that Colombians, if given the skills and opportunities, can develop a
sustainable economy in rural areas. They don't need a continual hand-
out.
That is why I am very appreciative to the Chairman for increasing
funding for alternative development and institution building in
Colombia. These tools will help Colombians help themselves. Alternative
development programs lay the ground work for sustainable development
and an economy based on legal crops.
Alternative development programs have enabled Colombian farmers to
grow more specialty coffee, supported the growth of agricultural
cooperatives, increased market access and taught marketing promotion to
small growers. For the last six years under Plan Colombia I, and now
with this installment of Plan Colombia: II, over 80% of US assistance
goes toward military/police and aerial fumigation and only 20% goes
toward economic and social assistance.
This is not a winning solution for peace and sustainable development
in Colombia. After 6 years of sustained and robust US assistance, 40%
of Colombians remained underemployed in the Colombian formal economy. I
suggest we need a new paradigm for Colombia, one that brings greater
parity between economic and military assistance that will enable a
legal economy to flourish in rural Colombia.
The McGovern amendment recognizes this gross imbalance and shifts $30
million from, the Andean Counterdrug Initiative to the Emergency
Migration and Refugee Account.
Data from the ONDCP proves that our drug fumigation policy is not
working. If Plan Colombia I had been successful, the street price of
cocaine would have skyrocketed, and purity would have decreased. The
opposite has happened.
The McGovern amendment recognizes this flawed policy, and redirects a
modest amount--$30 million out of a $384 million allocation--to an
account that is desperately underfunded. ERMA provides funding for
emergency humanitarian needs such as water, shelter and medical care
for refugees under siege in places like Darfur, Congo, and Northern
Uganda. The McGovern rights an egregious wrong on both accounts. I urge
my colleagues to support the McGovern amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
The question was taken; and the chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts will be
postponed.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 60, line 18 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 60, line 18 is as
follows:
Migration and Refugee Assistance
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to
enable the Secretary of State to provide, as authorized by
law, a contribution to the International Committee of the Red
Cross, assistance to refugees, including contributions to the
International Organization for Migration and the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and other activities
to meet refugee and migration needs; salaries and expenses of
personnel and dependents as authorized by the Foreign Service
Act of 1980; allowances as authorized by sections 5921
through 5925 of title 5, United States Code; purchase and
hire of passenger motor vehicles; and services as authorized
by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, $750,206,000,
to remain available until expended: Provided, That not more
than $23,000,000 may be available for administrative
expenses: Provided further, That not less than $40,000,000 of
the funds made available under this heading shall be made
available for refugees from the former Soviet Union and
Eastern Europe and other refugees resettling in Israel:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
may be made available for a headquarters contribution to the
International Committee of the Red Cross only if the
Secretary of State determines (and so reports to the
appropriate committees of Congress) that the Magen David Adom
Society of Israel is not being denied participation in the
activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement.
United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 2(c) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of
1962, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601(c)), $30,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining and Related Programs
For necessary expenses for nonproliferation, anti-
terrorism, demining and related programs and activities,
$425,010,000, to carry out the provisions of chapter 8 of
part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for anti-
terrorism assistance, chapter 9 of part II of
[[Page H3663]]
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 504 of the
FREEDOM Support Act, section 23 of the Arms Export Control
Act or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for demining
activities, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, the
destruction of small arms, and related activities,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, including
activities implemented through nongovernmental and
international organizations, and section 301 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 for a voluntary contribution to the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and for a United
States contribution to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty Preparatory Commission: Provided, That of this amount
not to exceed $38,000,000, to remain available until
expended, may be made available for the Nonproliferation and
Disarmament Fund, notwithstanding any other provision of law,
to promote bilateral and multilateral activities relating to
nonproliferation and disarmament: Provided further, That such
funds may also be used for such countries other than the
Independent States of the former Soviet Union and
international organizations when it is in the national
security interest of the United States to do so: Provided
further, That funds appropriated under this heading may be
made available for the International Atomic Energy Agency
only if the Secretary of State determines (and so reports to
the Congress) that Israel is not being denied its right to
participate in the activities of that Agency: Provided
further, That of the funds made available for demining and
related activities, not to exceed $700,000, in addition to
funds otherwise available for such purposes, may be used for
administrative expenses related to the operation and
management of the demining program: Provided further, That
funds appropriated under this heading that are available for
``Anti-terrorism Assistance'' and ``Export Control and Border
Security'' shall remain available until September 30, 2008.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
International Affairs Technical Assistance
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 129 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$23,700,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009,
which shall be available notwithstanding any other provision
of law that restricts assistance to foreign countries.
Debt Restructuring
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of modifying loans and loan
guarantees, as the President may determine, for which funds
have been appropriated or otherwise made available for
programs within the International Affairs Budget Function
150, including the cost of selling, reducing, or canceling
amounts owed to the United States as a result of concessional
loans made to eligible countries, pursuant to parts IV and V
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, of modifying
concessional credit agreements with least developed
countries, as authorized under section 411 of the
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as
amended, of concessional loans, guarantees and credit
agreements, as authorized under section 572 of the Foreign
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 1989 (Public Law 100-461), and of
canceling amounts owed, as a result of loans or guarantees
made pursuant to the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, by
countries that are eligible for debt reduction pursuant to
title V of H.R. 3425 as enacted into law by section
1000(a)(5) of Public Law 106-113, $20,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2009: Provided, That not less
than $20,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading
shall be made available to carry out the provisions of part V
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Provided further, That
amounts paid to the HIPC Trust Fund may be used only to fund
debt reduction under the enhanced HIPC initiative by--
(1) the Inter-American Development Bank;
(2) the African Development Fund;
(3) the African Development Bank; and
(4) the Central American Bank for Economic Integration:
Provided further, That funds may not be paid to the HIPC
Trust Fund for the benefit of any country if the Secretary of
State has credible evidence that the government of such
country is engaged in a consistent pattern of gross
violations of internationally recognized human rights or in
military or civil conflict that undermines its ability to
develop and implement measures to alleviate poverty and to
devote adequate human and financial resources to that end:
Provided further, That on the basis of final appropriations,
the Secretary of the Treasury shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations concerning which countries and
international financial institutions are expected to benefit
from a United States contribution to the HIPC Trust Fund
during the fiscal year: Provided further, That the Secretary
of the Treasury shall inform the Committees on Appropriations
not less than 15 days in advance of the signature of an
agreement by the United States to make payments to the HIPC
Trust Fund of amounts for such countries and institutions:
Provided further, That the Secretary of the Treasury may
disburse funds designated for debt reduction through the HIPC
Trust Fund only for the benefit of countries that--
(1) have committed, for a period of 24 months, not to
accept new market-rate loans from the international financial
institution receiving debt repayment as a result of such
disbursement, other than loans made by such institutions to
export-oriented commercial projects that generate foreign
exchange which are generally referred to as ``enclave''
loans; and
(2) have documented and demonstrated their commitment to
redirect their budgetary resources from international debt
repayments to programs to alleviate poverty and promote
economic growth that are additional to or expand upon those
previously available for such purposes:
Provided further, That any limitation of subsection (e) of
section 411 of the Agricultural Trade Development and
Assistance Act of 1954 shall not apply to funds appropriated
under this heading: Provided further, That none of the funds
made available under this heading in this or any other
appropriations Act shall be made available for Sudan or Burma
unless the Secretary of the Treasury determines and notifies
the Committees on Appropriations that a democratically
elected government has taken office.
TITLE III--MILITARY ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
International Military Education and Training
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 541 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$88,000,000, of which up to $3,000,000 may remain available
until expended: Provided, That the civilian personnel for
whom military education and training may be provided under
this heading may include civilians who are not members of a
government whose participation would contribute to improved
civil-military relations, civilian control of the military,
or respect for human rights.
Foreign Military Financing Program
(including transfer of funds)
For expenses necessary for grants to enable the President
to carry out the provisions of section 23 of the Arms Export
Control Act, $4,454,900,000: Provided, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, not less than $2,340,000,000
shall be available for grants only for Israel, and not less
than $1,300,000,000 shall be made available for grants only
for Egypt: Provided further, That the funds appropriated by
this paragraph for Israel shall be disbursed within 30 days
of the enactment of this Act: Provided further, That to the
extent that the Government of Israel requests that funds be
used for such purposes, grants made available for Israel by
this paragraph shall, as agreed by Israel and the United
States, be available for advanced weapons systems, of which
not less than $610,000,000 shall be available for the
procurement in Israel of defense articles and defense
services, including research and development: Provided
further, That of the funds appropriated by this paragraph,
$216,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for
Jordan: Provided further, That funds appropriated or
otherwise made available by this paragraph shall be
nonrepayable notwithstanding any requirement in section 23 of
the Arms Export Control Act: Provided further, That funds
made available under this paragraph shall be obligated upon
apportionment in accordance with paragraph (5)(C) of title
31, United States Code, section 1501(a).
None of the funds made available under this heading shall
be available to finance the procurement of defense articles,
defense services, or design and construction services that
are not sold by the United States Government under the Arms
Export Control Act unless the foreign country proposing to
make such procurements has first signed an agreement with the
United States Government specifying the conditions under
which such procurements may be financed with such funds:
Provided, That all country and funding level increases in
allocations shall be submitted through the regular
notification procedures of section 515 of this Act: Provided
further, That none of the funds appropriated under this
heading shall be available for assistance for Sudan and
Guatemala: Provided further, That none of the funds
appropriated under this heading may be made available for
assistance for Haiti except pursuant to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That funds made available under this
heading may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, for demining, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, and
related activities, and may include activities implemented
through nongovernmental and international organizations:
Provided further, That only those countries for which
assistance was justified for the ``Foreign Military Sales
Financing Program'' in the fiscal year 1989 congressional
presentation for security assistance programs may utilize
funds made available under this heading for procurement of
defense articles, defense services or design and construction
services that are not sold by the United States Government
under the Arms Export Control Act: Provided further, That
funds appropriated under this heading shall be expended at
the minimum rate necessary to make timely payment for defense
articles and services: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, $90,000,000 shall be
available for Colombia and that within these funds, the
Department of Defense should ensure sufficient resources are
provided for the acquisition of additional aircraft for the
Colombian Navy's maritime surveillance mission: Provided
further, That
[[Page H3664]]
not more than $42,500,000 of the funds appropriated under
this heading may be obligated for necessary expenses,
including the purchase of passenger motor vehicles for
replacement only for use outside of the United States, for
the general costs of administering military assistance and
sales: Provided further, That not more than $359,000,000 of
funds realized pursuant to section 21(e)(1)(A) of the Arms
Export Control Act may be obligated for expenses incurred by
the Department of Defense during fiscal year 2007 pursuant to
section 43(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, except that
this limitation may be exceeded only through the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That foreign military financing program
funds estimated to be outlayed for Egypt during fiscal year
2007 shall be transferred to an interest bearing account for
Egypt in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York within 30 days
of enactment of this Act.
Peacekeeping Operations
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 551 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$170,000,000: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated
under this heading shall be obligated or expended except as
provided through the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
TITLE IV--MULTILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
International Financial Institutions
Global Environment Facility
For the United States contribution for the Global
Environment Facility, $56,250,000 to the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development as trustee for the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), by the Secretary of the Treasury,
to remain available until expended.
Contribution to the International Development Association
For payment to the International Development Association by
the Secretary of the Treasury, $950,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
Contribution to the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment
Fund
For payment to the Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral
Investment Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury, for the
United States contribution to the fund, $23,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
Contribution to the Asian Development Fund
For the United States contribution by the Secretary of the
Treasury to the increase in resources of the Asian
Development Fund, as authorized by the Asian Development Bank
Act, as amended, $115,250,000, to remain available until
expended.
Contribution to the African Development Bank
For payment to the African Development Bank by the
Secretary of the Treasury, $5,018,000, for the United States
paid-in share of the increase in capital stock, to remain
available until expended.
Limitation on Callable Capital Subscriptions
The United States Governor of the African Development Bank
may subscribe without fiscal year limitation for the callable
capital portion of the United States share of such capital
stock in an amount not to exceed $78,622,000.
Contribution to the African Development Fund
For the United States contribution by the Secretary of the
Treasury to the increase in resources of the African
Development Fund, $135,700,000, to remain available until
expended.
Contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural Development
For the United States contribution by the Secretary of the
Treasury to increase the resources of the International Fund
for Agricultural Development, $18,000,000, to remain
available until expended.
International Organizations and Programs
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 301 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and of
section 2 of the United Nations Environment Program
Participation Act of 1973, $327,570,000: Provided, That none
of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made
available to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
Provided further, That section 307(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act shall not apply to contributions to the United
Nations Democracy Fund.
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
compensation for united states executive directors to international
financial institutions
Sec. 501. (a) No funds appropriated by this Act may be made
as payment to any international financial institution while
the United States Executive Director to such institution is
compensated by the institution at a rate which, together with
whatever compensation such Director receives from the United
States, is in excess of the rate provided for an individual
occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, or while
any alternate United States Director to such institution is
compensated by the institution at a rate in excess of the
rate provided for an individual occupying a position at level
V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5,
United States Code.
(b) For purposes of this section ``international financial
institutions'' are: the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the
Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Fund, the
African Development Bank, the African Development Fund, the
International Monetary Fund, the North American Development
Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.
restrictions on voluntary contributions to united nations agencies
Sec. 502. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
made available to pay any voluntary contribution of the
United States to the United Nations (including the United
Nations Development Program) if the United Nations implements
or imposes any taxation on any United States persons.
limitation on residence expenses
Sec. 503. Of the funds appropriated or made available
pursuant to this Act, not to exceed $100,500 shall be for
official residence expenses of the United States Agency for
International Development during the current fiscal year:
Provided, That appropriate steps shall be taken to assure
that, to the maximum extent possible, United States-owned
foreign currencies are utilized in lieu of dollars.
unobligated balances report
Sec. 504. Any Department or Agency to which funds are
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall
provide to the Committees on Appropriations a quarterly
accounting by program, project, and activity of the funds
received by such Department or Agency in this fiscal year or
any previous fiscal year that remain unobligated and
unexpended.
limitation on representational allowances
Sec. 505. Of the funds appropriated or made available
pursuant to this Act, not to exceed $250,000 shall be
available for representation and entertainment allowances, of
which not to exceed $2,500 shall be available for
entertainment allowances, for the United States Agency for
International Development during the current fiscal year:
Provided, That no such entertainment funds may be used for
the purposes listed in section 548 of this Act: Provided
further, That appropriate steps shall be taken to assure
that, to the maximum extent possible, United States-owned
foreign currencies are utilized in lieu of dollars: Provided
further, That of the funds made available by this Act for
general costs of administering military assistance and sales
under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'', not
to exceed $4,000 shall be available for entertainment
expenses and not to exceed $130,000 shall be available for
representation allowances: Provided further, That of the
funds made available by this Act under the heading
``International Military Education and Training'', not to
exceed $55,000 shall be available for entertainment
allowances: Provided further, That of the funds made
available by this Act for the Inter-American Foundation, not
to exceed $2,000 shall be available for entertainment and
representation allowances: Provided further, That of the
funds made available by this Act for the Peace Corps, not to
exceed a total of $4,000 shall be available for entertainment
expenses: Provided further, That of the funds made available
by this Act under the heading ``Trade and Development
Agency'', not to exceed $4,000 shall be available for
representation and entertainment allowances: Provided
further, That of the funds made available by this Act under
the heading ``Millennium Challenge Corporation'', not to
exceed $115,000 shall be available for representation and
entertainment allowances.
prohibition on taxation of united states assistance
Sec. 506. (a) Prohibition on Taxation.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act may be made available to provide
assistance for a foreign country under a new bilateral
agreement governing the terms and conditions under which such
assistance is to be provided unless such agreement includes a
provision stating that assistance provided by the United
States shall be exempt from taxation, or reimbursed, by the
foreign government, and the Secretary of State shall
expeditiously seek to negotiate amendments to existing
bilateral agreements, as necessary, to conform with this
requirement.
(b) Reimbursement of Foreign Taxes.--An amount equivalent
to 200 percent of the total taxes assessed during fiscal year
2007 on funds appropriated by this Act by a foreign
government or entity against commodities financed under
United States assistance programs for which funds are
appropriated by this Act, either directly or through
grantees, contractors and subcontractors shall be withheld
from obligation from funds appropriated for assistance for
fiscal year 2008 and allocated for the central government of
such country and for the West Bank and Gaza Program to the
extent that the Secretary of State certifies and reports in
writing to the Committees on Appropriations that such taxes
have not been reimbursed to the Government of the United
States.
(c) De Minimis Exception.--Foreign taxes of a de minimis
nature shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection
(b).
[[Page H3665]]
(d) Reprogramming of Funds.--Funds withheld from obligation
for each country or entity pursuant to subsection (b) shall
be reprogrammed for assistance to countries which do not
assess taxes on United States assistance or which have an
effective arrangement that is providing substantial
reimbursement of such taxes.
(e) Determinations.--
(1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
country or entity the Secretary of State determines--
(A) does not assess taxes on United States assistance or
which has an effective arrangement that is providing
substantial reimbursement of such taxes; or
(B) the foreign policy interests of the United States
outweigh the policy of this section to ensure that United
States assistance is not subject to taxation.
(2) The Secretary of State shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations at least 15 days prior to
exercising the authority of this subsection with regard to
any country or entity.
(f) Implementation.--The Secretary of State shall issue
rules, regulations, or policy guidance, as appropriate, to
implement the prohibition against the taxation of assistance
contained in this section.
(g) Definitions.--As used in this section--
(1) the terms ``taxes'' and ``taxation'' refer to value
added taxes and customs duties imposed on commodities
financed with United States assistance for programs for which
funds are appropriated by this Act; and
(2) the term ``bilateral agreement'' refers to a framework
bilateral agreement between the Government of the United
States and the government of the country receiving assistance
that describes the privileges and immunities applicable to
United States foreign assistance for such country generally,
or an individual agreement between the Government of the
United States and such government that describes, among other
things, the treatment for tax purposes that will be accorded
the United States assistance provided under that agreement.
prohibition against direct funding for certain countries
Sec. 507. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended
to finance directly any assistance or reparations to Cuba,
Libya, North Korea, Iran, or Syria: Provided, That for
purposes of this section, the prohibition on obligations or
expenditures shall include direct loans, credits, insurance
and guarantees of the Export-Import Bank or its agents:
Provided further, That for purposes of this section, the
prohibition shall not include activities of the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation in Libya: Provided further,
That the prohibition shall not include direct loans, credits,
insurance and guarantees made available by the Export-Import
Bank or its agents for or in Libya.
military coups
Sec. 508. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended
to finance directly any assistance to the government of any
country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by
military coup or decree: Provided, That assistance may be
resumed to such government if the President determines and
certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that subsequent
to the termination of assistance a democratically elected
government has taken office: Provided further, That the
provisions of this section shall not apply to assistance to
promote democratic elections or public participation in
democratic processes: Provided further, That funds made
available pursuant to the previous provisos shall be subject
to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
transfers
Sec. 509. (a)(1) Limitation on Transfers Between
Agencies.--None of the funds made available by this Act may
be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States Government, except pursuant to a
transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act
or any other appropriation Act.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in addition to transfers
made by, or authorized elsewhere in, this Act, funds
appropriated by this Act to carry out the purposes of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may be allocated or
transferred to agencies of the United States Government
pursuant to the provisions of sections 109, 610, and 632 of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(b) Transfers Between Accounts.--None of the funds made
available by this Act may be obligated under an appropriation
account to which they were not appropriated, except for
transfers specifically provided for in this Act, unless the
President, not less than 5 days prior to the exercise of any
authority contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to
transfer funds, consults with and provides a written policy
justification to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate.
(c) Audit of Inter-Agency Transfers.--Any agreement for the
transfer or allocation of funds appropriated by this Act, or
prior Acts, entered into between the United States Agency for
International Development and another agency of the United
States Government under the authority of section 632(a) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or any comparable
provision of law, shall expressly provide that the Office of
the Inspector General for the agency receiving the transfer
or allocation of such funds shall perform periodic program
and financial audits of the use of such funds: Provided, That
funds transferred under such authority may be made available
for the cost of such audits.
commercial leasing of defense articles
Sec. 510. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations, the authority of section 23(a)
of the Arms Export Control Act may be used to provide
financing to Israel, Egypt and NATO and major non-NATO allies
for the procurement by leasing (including leasing with an
option to purchase) of defense articles from United States
commercial suppliers, not including Major Defense Equipment
(other than helicopters and other types of aircraft having
possible civilian application), if the President determines
that there are compelling foreign policy or national security
reasons for those defense articles being provided by
commercial lease rather than by government-to-government sale
under such Act.
availability of funds
Sec. 511. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation after the
expiration of the current fiscal year unless expressly so
provided in this Act: Provided, That funds appropriated for
the purposes of chapters 1, 8, 11, and 12 of part I, section
667, chapters 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 of part II of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, section 23 of the Arms Export Control
Act, and funds provided under the heading ``Assistance for
Eastern Europe and the Baltic States'', shall remain
available for an additional 4 years from the date on which
the availability of such funds would otherwise have expired,
if such funds are initially obligated before the expiration
of their respective periods of availability contained in this
Act: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, any funds made available for the
purposes of chapter 1 of part I and chapter 4 of part II of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 which are allocated or
obligated for cash disbursements in order to address balance
of payments or economic policy reform objectives, shall
remain available until expended.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that the number
``5'' on page 60, line 4 is not in order because it violates clause 2
of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does any Member wish to be heard on the point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, regrettably, I would concede the point of
order.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman concedes the point of order, the point of
order is sustained, and that provision of the bill is stricken.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 74, line 11 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 74, line 11 is as
follows:
limitation on assistance to countries in default
Sec. 512. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall be used to furnish assistance to the government of
any country which is in default during a period in excess of
1 calendar year in payment to the United States of principal
or interest on any loan made to the government of such
country by the United States pursuant to a program for which
funds are appropriated under this Act unless the President
determines, following consultations with the Committees on
Appropriations, that assistance to such country is in the
national interest of the United States.
commerce and trade
Sec. 513. (a) None of the funds appropriated or made
available pursuant to this Act for direct assistance and none
of the funds otherwise made available pursuant to this Act to
the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation shall be obligated or expended to finance any
loan, any assistance or any other financial commitments for
establishing or expanding production of any commodity for
export by any country other than the United States, if the
commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets at the
time the resulting productive capacity is expected to become
operative and if the assistance will cause substantial injury
to United States producers of the same, similar, or competing
commodity: Provided, That such prohibition shall not apply to
the Export-Import Bank if in the judgment of its Board of
Directors the benefits to industry and employment in the
United States are likely to outweigh the injury to United
States producers of the same, similar, or competing
commodity, and the Chairman of the Board so notifies the
Committees on Appropriations.
(b) None of the funds appropriated by this or any other Act
to carry out chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961
[[Page H3666]]
shall be available for any testing or breeding feasibility
study, variety improvement or introduction, consultancy,
publication, conference, or training in connection with the
growth or production in a foreign country of an agricultural
commodity for export which would compete with a similar
commodity grown or produced in the United States: Provided,
That this subsection shall not prohibit--
(1) activities designed to increase food security in
developing countries where such activities will not have a
significant impact on the export of agricultural commodities
of the United States; or
(2) research activities intended primarily to benefit
American producers.
surplus commodities
Sec. 514. The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the
United States Executive Directors of the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, the International
Development Association, the International Finance
Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the
International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the
Inter-American Investment Corporation, the North American
Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the African Development Bank, and the African
Development Fund to use the voice and vote of the United
States to oppose any assistance by these institutions, using
funds appropriated or made available pursuant to this Act,
for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral
for export, if it is in surplus on world markets and if the
assistance will cause substantial injury to United States
producers of the same, similar, or competing commodity.
Reprogramming Notifications and Transfer Guidelines
Sec. 515. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act
or in prior Acts making appropriations for foreign
operations, export financing, and related programs, from any
accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the
collection of currency reflows or other offsetting
collections, or made available by transfer, may be used to
finance an activity, program, or project specifically denied
funding by Congress in this Act.
(b) None of the funds made available in this Act or in
prior Acts making appropriations for foreign operations,
export financing, and related programs, from any accounts in
the Treasury of the United States derived by the collection
of currency reflows or other offsetting collections, or made
available by transfer, may be used to initiate a new or
terminate an existing activity, program, or project not
previously justified without prior notification of the
Committees on Appropriations.
(c) For the purposes of providing the executive branch with
the necessary administrative flexibility, none of the funds
made available under this Act for ``Child Survival and Health
Programs Fund'', ``Development Assistance'', ``International
Organizations and Programs'', ``Trade and Development
Agency'', ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', ``Andean Counterdrug Initiative'',
``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States'',
``Assistance for the Independent States of the Former Soviet
Union'', ``Economic Support Fund'', ``Global HIV/AIDS
Initiative'', ``Peacekeeping Operations'', ``Capital
Investment Fund'', ``Operating Expenses of the United States
Agency for International Development'', ``Operating Expenses
of the United States Agency for International Development
Office of Inspector General'', ``Nonproliferation, Anti-
terrorism, Demining and Related Programs'', ``Millennium
Challenge Corporation'' (by country only), ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'', ``International Military Education and
Training'', ``Peace Corps'', and ``Migration and Refugee
Assistance'', shall be available for obligation for
activities, programs, projects, type of materiel assistance,
countries, or other operations not justified or in excess of
the amount justified to the Committees on Appropriations for
obligation under any of these specific headings unless the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are
notified 15 days in advance: Provided, That the President
shall not enter into any commitment of funds appropriated for
the purposes of section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act for
the provision of major defense equipment, other than
conventional ammunition, or other major defense items defined
to be aircraft, ships, missiles, or combat vehicles, not
previously justified to Congress or 20 percent in excess of
the quantities justified to Congress unless the Committees on
Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance of such
commitment: Provided further, That this paragraph shall not
apply to any reprogramming for an activity, program, or
project for which funds are appropriated under title II or
title III of this Act of less than 10 percent of the amount
previously justified to the Congress for obligation for such
activity, program, or project for the current fiscal year.
(d) The requirements of this section or any similar
provision of this Act or any other Act, including any prior
Act requiring notification in accordance with the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations,
may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
risk to human health or welfare: Provided, That in case of
any such waiver, notification to the Congress, or the
appropriate congressional committees, shall be provided as
early as practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after
taking the action to which such notification requirement was
applicable, in the context of the circumstances necessitating
such waiver: Provided further, That any notification provided
pursuant to such a waiver shall contain an explanation of the
emergency circumstances.
limitation on availability of funds for international organizations and
programs
Sec. 516. Subject to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations, funds appropriated under
this Act or any previously enacted Act making appropriations
for foreign operations, export financing, and related
programs, which are returned or not made available for
organizations and programs because of the implementation of
section 307(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, shall
remain available for obligation until September 30, 2008.
independent states of the former soviet union
Sec. 517. (a) None of the funds appropriated under the
heading ``Assistance for the Independent States of the Former
Soviet Union'' shall be made available for assistance for a
government of an Independent State of the former Soviet Union
if that government directs any action in violation of the
territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other
Independent State of the former Soviet Union, such as those
violations included in the Helsinki Final Act: Provided, That
such funds may be made available without regard to the
restriction in this subsection if the President determines
that to do so is in the national security interest of the
United States.
(b) None of the funds appropriated under the heading
``Assistance for the Independent States of the Former Soviet
Union'' shall be made available for any state to enhance its
military capability: Provided, That this restriction does not
apply to demilitarization, demining or nonproliferation
programs.
(c) Funds appropriated under the heading ``Assistance for
the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union'' for the
Russian Federation, Armenia, and Uzbekistan shall be subject
to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(d) Funds made available in this Act for assistance for the
Independent States of the former Soviet Union shall be
subject to the provisions of section 117 (relating to
environment and natural resources) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961.
(e) In issuing new task orders, entering into contracts, or
making grants, with funds appropriated in this Act or prior
appropriations Acts under the heading ``Assistance for the
Independent States of the Former Soviet Union'' and under
comparable headings in prior appropriations Acts, for
projects or activities that have as one of their primary
purposes the fostering of private sector development, the
Coordinator for United States Assistance to Europe and
Eurasia and the implementing agency shall encourage the
participation of and give significant weight to contractors
and grantees who propose investing a significant amount of
their own resources (including volunteer services and in-kind
contributions) in such projects and activities.
prohibition on funding for abortions and involuntary sterilization
Sec. 518. None of the funds made available to carry out
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may
be used to pay for the performance of abortions as a method
of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to
practice abortions. None of the funds made available to carry
out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,
may be used to pay for the performance of involuntary
sterilization as a method of family planning or to coerce or
provide any financial incentive to any person to undergo
sterilizations. None of the funds made available to carry out
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may
be used to pay for any biomedical research which relates in
whole or in part, to methods of, or the performance of,
abortions or involuntary sterilization as a means of family
planning. None of the funds made available to carry out part
I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may be
obligated or expended for any country or organization if the
President certifies that the use of these funds by any such
country or organization would violate any of the above
provisions related to abortions and involuntary
sterilizations.
export financing transfer authorities
Sec. 519. Not to exceed 5 percent of any appropriation
other than for administrative expenses made available for
fiscal year 2007, for programs under title I of this Act may
be transferred between such appropriations for use for any of
the purposes, programs, and activities for which the funds in
such receiving account may be used, but no such
appropriation, except as otherwise specifically provided,
shall be increased by more than 25 percent by any such
transfer: Provided, That the exercise of such authority shall
be subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
special notification requirements
Sec. 520. None of the funds appropriated by this Act shall
be obligated or expended for assistance for Liberia, Serbia,
Sudan, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, or Cambodia except as provided
through the regular notification procedures of the Committees
on Appropriations.
[[Page H3667]]
definition of program, project, and activity
Sec. 521. For the purpose of this Act ``program, project,
and activity'' shall be defined at the appropriations Act
account level and shall include all appropriations and
authorizations Acts earmarks, ceilings, and limitations with
the exception that for the following accounts: Economic
Support Fund and Foreign Military Financing Program,
``program, project, and activity'' shall also be considered
to include country, regional, and central program level
funding within each such account; for the development
assistance accounts of the United States Agency for
International Development ``program, project, and activity''
shall also be considered to include central, country,
regional, and program level funding, either as: (1) justified
to the Congress; or (2) allocated by the executive branch in
accordance with a report, to be provided to the Committees on
Appropriations within 30 days of the enactment of this Act,
as required by section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961.
child survival and health activities
Sec. 522. Up to $13,500,000 of the funds made available by
this Act for assistance under the heading ``Child Survival
and Health Programs Fund'', may be used to reimburse United
States Government agencies, agencies of State governments,
institutions of higher learning, and private and voluntary
organizations for the full cost of individuals (including for
the personal services of such individuals) detailed or
assigned to, or contracted by, as the case may be, the United
States Agency for International Development for the purpose
of carrying out activities under that heading: Provided, That
up to $3,500,000 of the funds made available by this Act for
assistance under the heading ``Development Assistance'' may
be used to reimburse such agencies, institutions, and
organizations for such costs of such individuals carrying out
other development assistance activities: Provided further,
That funds appropriated by titles II and III of this Act that
are made available for assistance for child survival
activities or disease programs including activities relating
to research on, and the prevention, treatment and control of,
HIV/AIDS may be made available notwithstanding any other
provision of law except for the provisions under the heading
``Child Survival and Health Programs Fund'' and the United
States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Act of 2003 (117 Stat. 711; 22 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.), as
amended.
afghanistan
Sec. 523. Of the funds appropriated by titles II and III of
this Act, not less than $931,400,000 should be made available
for humanitarian, reconstruction, and related assistance for
Afghanistan: Provided, That of the funds made available
pursuant to this section, $3,000,000 should be made available
for reforestation activities: Provided further, That funds
made available pursuant to the previous proviso should be
matched, to the maximum extent possible, with contributions
from American and Afghan businesses: Provided further, That
of the funds allocated for assistance for Afghanistan from
this Act and other Acts making appropriations for foreign
operations, export financing, and related programs for fiscal
year 2007, not less than $50,000,000 should be made available
to support programs that directly address the needs of Afghan
women and girls.
notification on excess defense equipment
Sec. 524. Prior to providing excess Department of Defense
articles in accordance with section 516(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, the Department of Defense shall
notify the Committees on Appropriations to the same extent
and under the same conditions as are other committees
pursuant to subsection (f) of that section: Provided, That
before issuing a letter of offer to sell excess defense
articles under the Arms Export Control Act, the Department of
Defense shall notify the Committees on Appropriations in
accordance with the regular notification procedures of such
Committees if such defense articles are significant military
equipment (as defined in section 47(9) of the Arms Export
Control Act) or are valued (in terms of original acquisition
cost) at $7,000,000 or more, or if notification is required
elsewhere in this Act for the use of appropriated funds for
specific countries that would receive such excess defense
articles: Provided further, That such Committees shall also
be informed of the original acquisition cost of such defense
articles.
Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Sec. 525. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, 25 percent of the funds that are appropriated by this
Act for a contribution to support the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the ``Global Fund'') shall be
withheld from obligation to the Global Fund until the
Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on
Appropriations that the Global Fund--
(1) has clear progress indicators upon which to determine
the release of incremental disbursements;
(2) is releasing such incremental disbursements only if
progress is being made based on those indicators; and
(3) is providing support and oversight to country-level
entities, such as country coordinating mechanisms, principal
recipients, and local Fund agents, to enable them to fulfill
their mandates.
(b) The Secretary of State may waive subsection (a) if the
Secretary determines and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that such waiver is important to the national
interest of the United States.
Human Rights and Democracy
Sec. 526. (a) Not less than $27,000,000 of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Economic Support
Fund'' should be allocated for the Human Rights and Democracy
Fund: Provided, That up to $1,200,000 of such funds may be
used for the Reagan/Fascell Democracy Fellows program.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language
on page 74, line 6 through 11 is not in order because it violates
clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations
bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does any Member wish to be heard on the point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I regret to say that I would concede the
point of order and that these funds for the Reagan/Fascell Democracy
fellows program would be stricken.
The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is conceded and is sustained and
section 526 of the bill is stricken.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 87, line 13 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 87, line 13 is as
follows:
Prohibition on bilateral assistance to terrorist countries
Sec. 527. (a) Funds appropriated for bilateral assistance
under any heading of this Act and funds appropriated under
any such heading in a provision of law enacted prior to the
enactment of this Act, shall not be made available to any
country which the President determines--
(1) grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or
group which has committed an act of international terrorism;
or
(2) otherwise supports international terrorism.
(b) The President may waive the application of subsection
(a) to a country if the President determines that national
security or humanitarian reasons justify such waiver. The
President shall publish each waiver in the Federal Register
and, at least 15 days before the waiver takes effect, shall
notify the Committees on Appropriations of the waiver
(including the justification for the waiver) in accordance
with the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
debt-for-development
Sec. 528. In order to enhance the continued participation
of nongovernmental organizations in debt-for-development and
debt-for-nature exchanges, a nongovernmental organization
which is a grantee or contractor of the United States Agency
for International Development may place in interest bearing
accounts local currencies which accrue to that organization
as a result of economic assistance provided under title II of
this Act and, subject to the regular notification procedures
of the Committees on Appropriations, any interest earned on
such investment shall be used for the purpose for which the
assistance was provided to that organization.
separate accounts
Sec. 529. (a) Separate Accounts for Local Currencies.--
(1) If assistance is furnished to the government of a
foreign country under chapters 1 and 10 of part I or chapter
4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 under
agreements which result in the generation of local currencies
of that country, the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development shall--
(A) require that local currencies be deposited in a
separate account established by that government;
(B) enter into an agreement with that government which sets
forth--
(i) the amount of the local currencies to be generated; and
(ii) the terms and conditions under which the currencies so
deposited may be utilized, consistent with this section; and
(C) establish by agreement with that government the
responsibilities of the United States Agency for
International Development and that government to monitor and
account for deposits into and disbursements from the separate
account.
(2) Uses of local currencies.--As may be agreed upon with
the foreign government, local currencies deposited in a
separate account pursuant to subsection (a), or an equivalent
amount of local currencies, shall be used only--
(A) to carry out chapter 1 or 10 of part I or chapter 4 of
part II (as the case may be), for such purposes as--
(i) project and sector assistance activities; or
(ii) debt and deficit financing; or
(B) for the administrative requirements of the United
States Government.
[[Page H3668]]
(3) Programming accountability.--The United States Agency
for International Development shall take all necessary steps
to ensure that the equivalent of the local currencies
disbursed pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) from the separate
account established pursuant to subsection (a)(1) are used
for the purposes agreed upon pursuant to subsection (a)(2).
(4) Termination of assistance programs.--Upon termination
of assistance to a country under chapter 1 or 10 of part I or
chapter 4 of part II (as the case may be), any unencumbered
balances of funds which remain in a separate account
established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be disposed of
for such purposes as may be agreed to by the government of
that country and the United States Government.
(5) Reporting requirement.--The Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall report on
an annual basis as part of the justification documents
submitted to the Committees on Appropriations on the use of
local currencies for the administrative requirements of the
United States Government as authorized in subsection
(a)(2)(B), and such report shall include the amount of local
currency (and United States dollar equivalent) used and/or to
be used for such purpose in each applicable country.
(b) Separate Accounts for Cash Transfers.--
(1) If assistance is made available to the government of a
foreign country, under chapter 1 or 10 of part I or chapter 4
of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as cash
transfer assistance or as nonproject sector assistance, that
country shall be required to maintain such funds in a
separate account and not commingle them with any other funds.
(2) Applicability of other provisions of law.--Such funds
may be obligated and expended notwithstanding provisions of
law which are inconsistent with the nature of this assistance
including provisions which are referenced in the Joint
Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference
accompanying House Joint Resolution 648 (House Report No. 98-
1159).
(3) Notification.--At least 15 days prior to obligating any
such cash transfer or nonproject sector assistance, the
President shall submit a notification through the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations,
which shall include a detailed description of how the funds
proposed to be made available will be used, with a discussion
of the United States interests that will be served by the
assistance (including, as appropriate, a description of the
economic policy reforms that will be promoted by such
assistance).
(4) Exemption.--Nonproject sector assistance funds may be
exempt from the requirements of subsection (b)(1) only
through the notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
enterprise fund restrictions
Sec. 530. (a) Prior to the distribution of any assets
resulting from any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of
an Enterprise Fund, in whole or in part, the President shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations, in accordance
with the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations, a plan for the distribution of the assets of
the Enterprise Fund.
(b) Funds made available by this Act for Enterprise Funds
shall be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make
timely payment for projects and activities.
financial market assistance in transition countries
Sec. 531. Of the funds appropriated in Title II of this
Act, not less than $40,000,000 should be made available for
building capital markets and financial systems in countries
in transistion, of which not less than $20,000,000 should be
designated for not-for-profit organizations that mobilize
volunteers with experience in the financial sector.
authorities for the peace corps, inter-american foundation and african
development foundation
Sec. 532. Unless expressly provided to the contrary,
provisions of this or any other Act, including provisions
contained in prior Acts authorizing or making appropriations
for foreign operations, export financing, and related
programs, shall not be construed to prohibit activities
authorized by or conducted under the Peace Corps Act, the
Inter-American Foundation Act or the African Development
Foundation Act. The agency shall promptly report to the
Committees on Appropriations whenever it is conducting
activities or is proposing to conduct activities in a country
for which assistance is prohibited.
impact on jobs in the united states
Sec. 533. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
obligated or expended to provide--
(1) any financial incentive to a business enterprise
currently located in the United States for the purpose of
inducing such an enterprise to relocate outside the United
States if such incentive or inducement is likely to reduce
the number of employees of such business enterprise in the
United States because United States production is being
replaced by such enterprise outside the United States; or
(2) assistance for any program, project, or activity that
contributes to the violation of internationally recognized
workers rights, as defined in section 507(4) of the Trade Act
of 1974, of workers in the recipient country, including any
designated zone or area in that country: Provided, That the
application of section 507(4)(D) and (E) of such Act should
be commensurate with the level of development of the
recipient country and sector, and shall not preclude
assistance for the informal sector in such country, micro and
small-scale enterprise, and smallholder agriculture.
special authorities
Sec. 534. (a) Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon,
Montenegro, Victims of War, Displaced Children, and Displaced
Burmese.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are made
available for assistance for Afghanistan may be made
available notwithstanding section 512 of this Act or any
similar provision of law and section 660 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, and funds appropriated in titles I
and II of this Act that are made available for Iraq, Lebanon,
Montenegro, Pakistan, and for victims of war, displaced
children, and displaced Burmese, and to assist victims of
trafficking in persons and, subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations,
to combat such trafficking, may be made available
notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(b) Tropical Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation
Activities.--Funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the
provisions of sections 103 through 106, and chapter 4 of part
II, of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may be used,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purpose
of supporting tropical forestry and biodiversity conservation
activities and energy programs aimed at reducing greenhouse
gas emissions: Provided, That such assistance shall be
subject to sections 116, 502B, and 620A of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961.
(c) Personal Services Contractors.--Funds appropriated by
this Act to carry out chapter 1 of part I, chapter 4 of part
II, and section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
and title II of the Agricultural Trade Development and
Assistance Act of 1954, may be used by the United States
Agency for International Development to employ up to 25
personal services contractors in the United States,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purpose
of providing direct, interim support for new or expanded
overseas programs and activities managed by the agency until
permanent direct hire personnel are hired and trained:
Provided, That not more than 10 of such contractors shall be
assigned to any bureau or office: Provided further, That such
funds appropriated to carry out title II of the Agricultural
Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, may be made
available only for personal services contractors assigned to
the Office of Food for Peace.
(d)(1) Waiver.--The President may waive the provisions of
section 1003 of Public Law 100-204 if the President
determines and certifies in writing to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the
Senate that it is important to the national security
interests of the United States.
(2) Period of Application of Waiver.--Any waiver pursuant
to paragraph (1) shall be effective for no more than a period
of 6 months at a time and shall not apply beyond 12 months
after the enactment of this Act.
(e) Small Business.--In entering into multiple award
indefinite-quantity contracts with funds appropriated by this
Act, the United States Agency for International Development
may provide an exception to the fair opportunity process for
placing task orders under such contracts when the order is
placed with any category of small or small disadvantaged
business.
(f) Reconstituting Civilian Police Authority.--In providing
assistance with funds appropriated by this Act under section
660(b)(6) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, support for
a nation emerging from instability may be deemed to mean
support for regional, district, municipal, or other sub-
national entity emerging from instability, as well as a
nation emerging from instability.
(g) World Food Program.--Of the funds managed by the Bureau
for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance of the
United States Agency for International Development, from this
or any other Act, not less than $10,000,000 shall be made
available as a general contribution to the World Food
Program, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(h) Unified Campaign.--Funds transferred pursuant to the
authority contained in the fifth proviso under the heading
``Foreign Military Financing Program'' in division E of
Public Law 108-7 may be made available for helicopters,
training, and other assistance for the Colombian Armed Forces
for such things as pipeline security and interdiction,
notwithstanding the limitation to security for the Cano Limon
pipeline in such proviso.
(i) Extension of Authority.--
(1) With respect to funds appropriated by this Act that are
available for assistance for Pakistan, the President may
waive the prohibition on assistance contained in section 508
of this Act subject to the requirements contained in section
1(b) of Public Law 107-57, as amended, for a determination
and certification, and consultation, by the President prior
to the exercise of such waiver authority.
(2) Section 512 of this Act and section 620(q) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not apply with respect
to assistance for Pakistan from funds appropriated by this
Act.
[[Page H3669]]
(3) Notwithstanding the date contained in section 6 of
Public Law 107-57, as amended, the provisions of sections 2
and 4 of that Act shall remain in effect through the current
fiscal year.
(j) Middle East Foundation.--Of the funds appropriated by
this Act under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' that are
available for the Middle East Partnership Initiative, up to
$35,000,000 may be made available, including as an endowment,
notwithstanding any other provision of law and following
consultations with the Committees on Appropriations, to
establish and operate a Middle East Foundation, or any other
similar entity, whose purposes include to support democracy,
governance, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as
private enterprise development in the Middle East region:
Provided, That such funds may be made available to the
Foundation only to the extent that the Foundation has
commitments from sources other than the United States
Government to at least match the funds provided under the
authority of this subsection: Provided further, That
provisions contained in section 201 of the Support for East
European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 (excluding the
authorizations of appropriations provided in subsection (b)
of that section) shall be deemed to apply to any such
foundation or similar entity referred to under this
subsection, and to funds made available to such entity, in
order to enable it to provide assistance for purposes of this
section: Provided further, That prior to the initial
obligation of funds for any such foundation or similar entity
pursuant to the authorities of this subsection, other than
for administrative support, the Secretary of State shall take
steps to ensure, on an ongoing basis, that any such funds
made available pursuant to such authorities are not provided
to or through any individual or group that the management of
the foundation or similar entity knows or has reason to
believe, advocates, plans, sponsors, or otherwise engages in
terrorist activities: Provided further, That section 530 of
this Act shall apply to any such foundation or similar entity
established pursuant to this subsection: Provided further,
That the authority of the Foundation, or any similar entity,
to provide assistance shall cease to be effective on
September 30, 2010.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language
on page 86, line 10 after ``law,'' through the word ``region'' on line
11, is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which
prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to be heard on the
point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, regrettably, I concede the point of order
with regard to the private enterprise development fund in the Middle
East.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman concedes the point of order. The point of
order is sustained. That portion of the bill is stricken.
{time} 1045
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 91, line 17 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 91, line 17 is as
follows:
arab league boycott of israel
Sec. 535. It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) the Arab League boycott of Israel, and the secondary
boycott of American firms that have commercial ties with
Israel, is an impediment to peace in the region and to United
States investment and trade in the Middle East and North
Africa;
(2) the Arab League boycott, which was regrettably
reinstated in 1997, should be immediately and publicly
terminated, and the Central Office for the Boycott of Israel
immediately disbanded;
(3) all Arab League states should normalize relations with
their neighbor Israel;
(4) the President and the Secretary of State should
continue to vigorously oppose the Arab League boycott of
Israel and find concrete steps to demonstrate that opposition
by, for example, taking into consideration the participation
of any recipient country in the boycott when determining to
sell weapons to said country; and
(5) the President should report to Congress annually on
specific steps being taken by the United States to encourage
Arab League states to normalize their relations with Israel
to bring about the termination of the Arab League boycott of
Israel, including those to encourage allies and trading
partners of the United States to enact laws prohibiting
businesses from complying with the boycott and penalizing
businesses that do comply.
eligibility for assistance
Sec. 536. (a) Assistance Through Nongovernmental
Organizations.--Restrictions contained in this or any other
Act with respect to assistance for a country shall not be
construed to restrict assistance in support of programs of
nongovernmental organizations from funds appropriated by this
Act to carry out the provisions of chapters 1, 10, 11, and 12
of part I and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, and from funds appropriated under the heading
``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States'':
Provided, That before using the authority of this subsection
to furnish assistance in support of programs of
nongovernmental organizations, the President shall notify the
Committees on Appropriations under the regular notification
procedures of those committees, including a description of
the program to be assisted, the assistance to be provided,
and the reasons for furnishing such assistance: Provided
further, That nothing in this subsection shall be construed
to alter any existing statutory prohibitions against abortion
or involuntary sterilizations contained in this or any other
Act.
(b) Public Law 480.--During fiscal year 2007, restrictions
contained in this or any other Act with respect to assistance
for a country shall not be construed to restrict assistance
under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act
of 1954: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated to
carry out title I of such Act and made available pursuant to
this subsection may be obligated or expended except as
provided through the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
(c) Exception.--This section shall not apply--
(1) with respect to section 620A of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 or any comparable provision of law prohibiting
assistance to countries that support international terrorism;
or
(2) with respect to section 116 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 or any comparable provision of law prohibiting
assistance to the government of a country that violates
internationally recognized human rights.
reservations of funds
Sec. 537. (a) Funds appropriated by this Act which are
specifically designated may be reprogrammed for other
programs within the same account notwithstanding the
designation if compliance with the designation is made
impossible by operation of any provision of this or any other
Act: Provided, That any such reprogramming shall be subject
to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That assistance that is
reprogrammed pursuant to this subsection shall be made
available under the same terms and conditions as originally
provided.
(b) In addition to the authority contained in subsection
(a), the original period of availability of funds
appropriated by this Act and administered by the United
States Agency for International Development that are
specifically designated for particular programs or activities
by this or any other Act shall be extended for an additional
fiscal year if the Administrator of such agency determines
and reports promptly to the Committees on Appropriations that
the termination of assistance to a country or a significant
change in circumstances makes it unlikely that such
designated funds can be obligated during the original period
of availability: Provided, That such designated funds that
are continued available for an additional fiscal year shall
be obligated only for the purpose of such designation.
Ceilings and Designated Funding Levels
Sec. 538. Ceilings and specifically designated funding
levels contained in this Act shall not be applicable to funds
or authorities appropriated or otherwise made available by
any subsequent Act unless such Act specifically so directs:
Provided, That specifically designated funding levels or
minimum funding requirements contained in any other Act shall
not be applicable to funds appropriated by this Act.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language
on page 91, line 14 after the word ``directs'' through line 17 is not
in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits
legislation in an appropriations bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to be heard on the
point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I concede the point of order.
The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is conceded and sustained. That
portion of the bill is therefore stricken.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent the remainder of the
bill through page 121, line 15 be considered as read, printed in the
Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 121, line 15 is as
follows:
prohibition on publicity or propaganda
Sec. 539. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes within
the United States not authorized before the date of the
[[Page H3670]]
enactment of this Act by the Congress: Provided, That not to
exceed $25,000 may be made available to carry out the
provisions of section 316 of Public Law 96-533.
prohibition of payments to united nations members
Sec. 540. None of the funds appropriated or made available
pursuant to this Act for carrying out the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, may be used to pay in whole or in part any
assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member of the United
Nations or, from funds appropriated by this Act to carry out
chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
the costs for participation of another country's delegation
at international conferences held under the auspices of
multilateral or international organizations.
nongovernmental organizations--documentation
Sec. 541. None of the funds appropriated or made available
pursuant to this Act shall be available to a nongovernmental
organization which fails to provide upon timely request any
document, file, or record necessary to the auditing
requirements of the United States Agency for International
Development.
prohibition on assistance to foreign governments that export lethal
military equipment to countries supporting international terrorism
Sec. 542. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be available to any foreign
government which provides lethal military equipment to a
country the government of which the Secretary of State has
determined is a terrorist government for purposes of section
6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979. The
prohibition under this section with respect to a foreign
government shall terminate 12 months after that government
ceases to provide such military equipment. This section
applies with respect to lethal military equipment provided
under a contract entered into after October 1, 1997.
(b) Assistance restricted by subsection (a) or any other
similar provision of law, may be furnished if the President
determines that furnishing such assistance is important to
the national interests of the United States.
(c) Whenever the waiver authority of subsection (b) is
exercised, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report with respect to the
furnishing of such assistance. Any such report shall include
a detailed explanation of the assistance to be provided,
including the estimated dollar amount of such assistance, and
an explanation of how the assistance furthers United States
national interests.
withholding of assistance for parking fines and real property taxes
owed by foreign countries
Sec. 543. (a) Subject to subsection (c), of the funds
appropriated by this Act that are made available for
assistance for a foreign country, an amount equal to 110
percent of the total amount of the unpaid fully adjudicated
parking fines and penalties and unpaid property taxes owed by
the central government of such country shall be withheld from
obligation for assistance for the central government of such
country until the Secretary of State submits a certification
to the appropriate congressional committees stating that such
parking fines and penalties and unpaid property taxes are
fully paid.
(b) Funds withheld from obligation pursuant to subsection
(a) may be made available for other programs or activities
funded by this Act, after consultation with and subject to
the regular notification procedures of the appropriate
congressional committees, provided that no such funds shall
be made available for assistance for the central government
of a foreign country that has not paid the total amount of
the fully adjudicated parking fines and penalties and unpaid
property taxes owed by such country.
(c) Subsection (a) shall not include amounts that have been
withheld under any other provision of law.
(d)(1) The Secretary of State may waive the requirements
set forth in subsection (a) with respect to parking fines and
penalties no sooner than 60 days from the date of enactment
of this Act, or at any time with respect to a particular
country, if the Secretary determines that it is in the
national interests of the United States to do so.
(2) The Secretary of State may waive the requirements set
forth in subsection (a) with respect to the unpaid property
taxes if the Secretary of State determines that it is in the
national interests of the United States to do so.
(e) Not later than 6 months after the initial exercise of
the waiver authority in subsection (d), the Secretary of
State, after consultations with the City of New York, shall
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations
describing a strategy, including a timetable and steps
currently being taken, to collect the parking fines and
penalties and unpaid property taxes and interest owed by
nations receiving foreign assistance under this Act.
(f) In this section:
(1) The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) The term ``fully adjudicated'' includes circumstances
in which the person to whom the vehicle is registered--
(A)(i) has not responded to the parking violation summons;
or
(ii) has not followed the appropriate adjudication
procedure to challenge the summons; and
(B) the period of time for payment of or challenge to the
summons has lapsed.
(3) The term ``parking fines and penalties'' means parking
fines and penalties--
(A) owed to--
(i) the District of Columbia; or
(ii) New York, New York; and
(B) incurred during the period April 1, 1997, through
September 30, 2006.
(4) The term ``unpaid property taxes'' means the amount of
unpaid taxes and interest determined to be owed by a foreign
country on real property in the District of Columbia or New
York, New York in a court order or judgment entered against
such country by a court of the United States or any State or
subdivision thereof.
limitation on assistance for the plo for the west bank and gaza
Sec. 544. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
obligated for assistance for the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO) for the West Bank and Gaza unless the
President has exercised the authority under section 604(a) of
the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act of 1995 (title VI of
Public Law 104-107) or any other legislation to suspend or
make inapplicable section 307 of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 and that suspension is still in effect: Provided,
That if the President fails to make the certification under
section 604(b)(2) of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act
of 1995 or to suspend the prohibition under other
legislation, funds appropriated by this Act may not be
obligated for assistance for the Palestine Liberation
Organization for the West Bank and Gaza.
war crimes tribunals drawdown
Sec. 545. If the President determines that doing so will
contribute to a just resolution of charges regarding genocide
or other violations of international humanitarian law, the
President may direct a drawdown pursuant to section 552(c) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 of up to $30,000,000 of
commodities and services for the United Nations War Crimes
Tribunal established with regard to the former Yugoslavia by
the United Nations Security Council or such other tribunals
or commissions as the Council may establish or authorize to
deal with such violations, without regard to the ceiling
limitation contained in paragraph (2) thereof: Provided, That
the determination required under this section shall be in
lieu of any determinations otherwise required under section
552(c): Provided further, That the drawdown made under this
section for any tribunal shall not be construed as an
endorsement or precedent for the establishment of any
standing or permanent international criminal tribunal or
court: Provided further, That funds made available for
tribunals other than Yugoslavia, Rwanda, or the Special Court
for Sierra Leone shall be made available subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
landmines
Sec. 546. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
demining equipment available to the United States Agency for
International Development and the Department of State and
used in support of the clearance of landmines and unexploded
ordnance for humanitarian purposes may be disposed of on a
grant basis in foreign countries, subject to such terms and
conditions as the President may prescribe.
restrictions concerning the palestinian authority
Sec. 547. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
obligated or expended to create in any part of Jerusalem a
new office of any department or agency of the United States
Government for the purpose of conducting official United
States Government business with the Palestinian Authority
over Gaza and Jericho or any successor Palestinian governing
entity provided for in the Israel-PLO Declaration of
Principles: Provided, That this restriction shall not apply
to the acquisition of additional space for the existing
Consulate General in Jerusalem: Provided further, That
meetings between officers and employees of the United States
and officials of the Palestinian Authority, or any successor
Palestinian governing entity provided for in the Israel-PLO
Declaration of Principles, for the purpose of conducting
official United States Government business with such
authority should continue to take place in locations other
than Jerusalem. As has been true in the past, officers and
employees of the United States Government may continue to
meet in Jerusalem on other subjects with Palestinians
(including those who now occupy positions in the Palestinian
Authority), have social contacts, and have incidental
discussions.
prohibition of payment of certain expenses
Sec. 548. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act under the heading ``International
Military Education and Training'' or ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'' for Informational Program activities or
under the headings ``Child Survival and Health Programs
Fund'', ``Development Assistance'', and ``Economic Support
Fund'' may be obligated or expended to pay for--
(1) alcoholic beverages; or
(2) entertainment expenses for activities that are
substantially of a recreational character, including but not
limited to entrance fees at sporting events, theatrical and
musical productions, and amusement parks.
[[Page H3671]]
Haiti
Sec. 549. (a) The Government of Haiti shall be eligible to
purchase defense articles and services under the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), for the Coast Guard.
(b) None of the funds made available in this Act under the
heading ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'' may be used to transfer excess weapons,
ammunition or other lethal property of an agency of the
United States Government to the Government of Haiti for use
by the Haitian National Police until the Secretary of State
certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that: (1) the
United Nations Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has carried out
the vetting of the senior levels of the Haitian National
Police and has ensured that those credibly alleged to have
committed serious crimes, including drug trafficking and
human rights violations, have been suspended; and (2) the
Haitian National Government is cooperating in a reform and
restructuring plan for the Haitian National Police and the
reform of the judicial system as called for in United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1608 adopted on June 22, 2005.
limitation on assistance to the palestinian authority
Sec. 550. (a) Prohibition of Funds.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act to carry out the provisions of
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
may be obligated or expended with respect to providing funds
to the Palestinian Authority.
(b) Waiver.--The prohibition included in subsection (a)
shall not apply if the President certifies in writing to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro
tempore of the Senate that waiving such prohibition is
important to the national security interests of the United
States.
(c) Period of Application of Waiver.--Any waiver pursuant
to subsection (b) shall be effective for no more than a
period of 6 months at a time and shall not apply beyond 12
months after the enactment of this Act.
(d) Report.--Whenever the waiver authority pursuant to
subsection (b) is exercised, the President shall submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing the
steps the Palestinian Authority has taken to arrest
terrorists, confiscate weapons and dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure. The report shall also include a description
of how funds will be spent and the accounting procedures in
place to ensure that they are properly disbursed.
limitation on assistance to security forces
Sec. 551. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be provided to any unit of the security forces of a foreign
country if the Secretary of State has credible evidence that
such unit has committed gross violations of human rights,
unless the Secretary determines and reports to the Committees
on Appropriations that the government of such country is
taking effective measures to bring the responsible members of
the security forces unit to justice: Provided, That nothing
in this section shall be construed to withhold funds made
available by this Act from any unit of the security forces of
a foreign country not credibly alleged to be involved in
gross violations of human rights: Provided further, That in
the event that funds are withheld from any unit pursuant to
this section, the Secretary of State shall promptly inform
the foreign government of the basis for such action and
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, assist the foreign
government in taking effective measures to bring the
responsible members of the security forces to justice.
foreign military training report
Sec. 552. The annual foreign military training report
required by section 656 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
shall be submitted by the Secretary of Defense and the
Secretary of State to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate by the date specified
in that section.
authorization requirement
Sec. 553. Funds appropriated by this Act, except funds
appropriated under the headings ``Trade and Development
Agency'', ``Overseas Private Investment Corporation'', and
``Global HIV/AIDS Initiative'', may be obligated and expended
notwithstanding section 10 of Public Law 91-672 and section
15 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.
cambodia
Sec. 554. The Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the
United States executive directors of the international
financial institutions to use the voice and vote of the
United States to oppose loans to the Central Government of
Cambodia, except loans to meet basic human needs.
palestinian statehood
Sec. 555. (a) Limitation on Assistance.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act may be provided to support a
Palestinian state unless the Secretary of State determines
and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees
that--
(1) a new leadership of a Palestinian governing entity has
been democratically elected through credible and competitive
elections;
(2) the elected governing entity of a new Palestinian
state--
(A) has demonstrated a firm commitment to peaceful co-
existence with the State of Israel;
(B) is taking appropriate measures to counter terrorism and
terrorist financing in the West Bank and Gaza, including the
dismantling of terrorist infrastructures;
(C) is establishing a new Palestinian security entity that
is cooperative with appropriate Israeli and other appropriate
security organizations; and
(3) the Palestinian Authority (or the governing body of a
new Palestinian state) is working with other countries in the
region to vigorously pursue efforts to establish a just,
lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East that will
enable Israel and an independent Palestinian state to exist
within the context of full and normal relationships, which
should include--
(A) termination of all claims or states of belligerency;
(B) respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, and political independence of every
state in the area through measures including the
establishment of demilitarized zones;
(C) their right to live in peace within secure and
recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;
(D) freedom of navigation through international waterways
in the area; and
(E) a framework for achieving a just settlement of the
refugee problem.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the newly-elected governing entity should enact a
constitution assuring the rule of law, an independent
judiciary, and respect for human rights for its citizens, and
should enact other laws and regulations assuring transparent
and accountable governance.
(c) Waiver.--The President may waive subsection (a) if he
determines that it is vital to the national security
interests of the United States to do so.
(d) Exemption.--The restriction in subsection (a) shall not
apply to assistance intended to help reform the Palestinian
Authority and affiliated institutions, or a newly-elected
governing entity, in order to help meet the requirements of
subsection (a), consistent with the provisions of section 550
of this Act (``Limitation on Assistance to the Palestinian
Authority'').
colombia
Sec. 556. (a) Determination and Certification Required.--
Funds appropriated by this Act that are available for
assistance for the Colombian Armed Forces, may be made
available as follows:
(1) Up to 75 percent of such funds may be obligated prior
to a determination and certification by the Secretary of
State pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) Up to 12.5 percent of such funds may be obligated only
after the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that:
(A) The Commander General of the Colombian Armed Forces is
suspending from the Armed Forces those members, of whatever
rank who, according to the Minister of Defense or the
Procuraduria General de la Nacion, have been credibly alleged
to have committed gross violations of human rights, including
extra-judicial killings, or to have aided or abetted
paramilitary organizations.
(B) The Colombian Government is vigorously investigating
and prosecuting those members of the Colombian Armed Forces,
of whatever rank, who have been credibly alleged to have
committed gross violations of human rights, including extra-
judicial killings, or to have aided or abetted paramilitary
organizations, and is promptly punishing those members of the
Colombian Armed Forces found to have committed such
violations of human rights or to have aided or abetted
paramilitary organizations.
(C) The Colombian Armed Forces have made substantial
progress in cooperating with civilian prosecutors and
judicial authorities in such cases (including providing
requested information, such as the identity of persons
suspended from the Armed Forces and the nature and cause of
the suspension, and access to witnesses, relevant military
documents, and other requested information).
(D) The Colombian Armed Forces have made substantial
progress in severing links (including denying access to
military intelligence, vehicles, and other equipment or
supplies, and ceasing other forms of active or tacit
cooperation) at the command, battalion, and brigade levels,
with paramilitary organizations, especially in regions where
these organizations have a significant presence.
(E) The Colombian Government is dismantling paramilitary
leadership and financial networks by arresting commanders and
financial backers, especially in regions where these networks
have a significant presence.
(F) The Colombian Government is taking effective steps to
ensure that the Colombian Armed Forces are not violating the
land and property rights of Colombia's indigenous
communities.
(3) The balance of such funds may be obligated after July
31, 2007, if the Secretary of State certifies and reports to
the appropriate congressional committees, after such date,
that the Colombian Armed Forces are continuing to meet the
conditions contained in paragraph (2) and are conducting
vigorous operations to restore government authority and
respect for human rights in areas under the effective control
of paramilitary and guerrilla organizations.
(b) Congressional Notification.--Funds made available by
this Act for the Colombian Armed Forces shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
[[Page H3672]]
(c) Consultative Process.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter
until September 30, 2008, the Secretary of State shall
consult with internationally recognized human rights
organizations regarding progress in meeting the conditions
contained in subsection (a).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Aided or abetted.--The term ``aided or abetted'' means
to provide any support to paramilitary groups, including
taking actions which allow, facilitate, or otherwise foster
the activities of such groups.
(2) Paramilitary groups.--The term ``paramilitary groups''
means illegal self-defense groups and illegal security
cooperatives.
illegal armed group
Sec. 557. (a) Denial of Visas to Supporters of Colombian
Illegal Armed Groups.--Subject to subsection (b), the
Secretary of State shall not issue a visa to any alien who
the Secretary determines, based on credible evidence--
(1) has willfully provided any support to the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army
(ELN), or the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC),
including taking actions or failing to take actions which
allow, facilitate, or otherwise foster the activities of such
groups; or
(2) has committed, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise
participated in the commission of gross violations of human
rights, including extra-judicial killings, in Colombia.
(b) Waiver.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if the
Secretary of State determines and certifies to the
appropriate congressional committees, on a case-by-case
basis, that the issuance of a visa to the alien is necessary
to support the peace process in Colombia or for urgent
humanitarian reasons.
prohibition on assistance to the palestinian broadcasting corporation
Sec. 558. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to provide equipment,
technical support, consulting services, or any other form of
assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.
west bank and gaza program
Sec. 559. (a) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated
by this Act for assistance under the West Bank and Gaza
program may be made available for the purpose of recognizing
or otherwise honoring individuals who commit, or have
committed, acts of terrorism.
(b) Audits.--
(1) The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall ensure that Federal or non-
Federal audits of all contractors and grantees, and
significant subcontractors and subgrantees, under the West
Bank and Gaza Program, are conducted at least on an annual
basis to ensure, among other things, compliance with this
section.
(2) Of the funds appropriated by this Act up to $1,000,000
may be used by the Office of the Inspector General of the
United States Agency for International Development for
audits, inspections, and other activities in furtherance of
the requirements of this subsection.
(c) The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct an audit and an investigation of the treatment,
handling, and uses of all funds for the bilateral West Bank
and Gaza Program in fiscal year 2006 under the heading
``Economic Support Fund''. The audit shall address--
(1) the extent to which such Program complies with the
requirements of subsection (a), and
(2) an examination of all programs, projects, and
activities carried out under such Program, including both
obligations and expenditures.
(d) Not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations updating the report contained in
section 2106 of chapter 2 of title II of Public Law 109-13.
contributions to united nations population fund
Sec. 560. (a) Limitations on Amount of Contribution.--Of
the amounts made available under ``International
Organizations and Programs'' and ``Child Survival and Health
Programs Fund'' for fiscal year 2007, $34,000,000 shall be
made available for the United Nations Population Fund
(hereafter in this section referred to as the ``UNFPA''):
Provided, That of this amount, not less than $22,275,000
shall be derived from funds appropriated under the heading
``International Organizations and Programs''.
(b) Availability of Funds.--Funds appropriated under the
heading ``International Organizations and Programs'' in this
Act that are available for UNFPA, that are not made available
for UNFPA because of the operation of any provision of law,
shall be transferred to ``Child Survival and Health Programs
Fund'' and shall be made available for family planning,
maternal, and reproductive health activities, subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds in China.--None of the
funds made available under ``International Organizations and
Programs'' may be made available for the UNFPA for a country
program in the People's Republic of China.
(d) Conditions on Availability of Funds.--Amounts made
available under ``International Organizations and Programs''
for fiscal year 2007 for the UNFPA may not be made available
to UNFPA unless--
(1) the UNFPA maintains amounts made available to the UNFPA
under this section in an account separate from other accounts
of the UNFPA;
(2) the UNFPA does not commingle amounts made available to
the UNFPA under this section with other sums; and
(3) the UNFPA does not fund abortions.
war criminals
Sec. 561. (a)(1) None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available pursuant to this Act may be made
available for assistance, and the Secretary of the Treasury
shall instruct the United States executive directors to the
international financial institutions to vote against any new
project involving the extension by such institutions of any
financial or technical assistance, to any country, entity, or
municipality whose competent authorities have failed, as
determined by the Secretary of State, to take necessary and
significant steps to implement its international legal
obligations to apprehend and transfer to the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (the
``Tribunal'') all persons in their territory who have been
indicted by the Tribunal and to otherwise cooperate with the
Tribunal.
(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to
humanitarian assistance or assistance for democratization.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall apply unless the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that the competent authorities of
such country, entity, or municipality are--
(1) cooperating with the Tribunal, including access for
investigators to archives and witnesses, the provision of
documents, and the surrender and transfer of indictees or
assistance in their apprehension; and
(2) are acting consistently with the Dayton Accords.
(c) Not less than 10 days before any vote in an
international financial institution regarding the extension
of any new project involving financial or technical
assistance or grants to any country or entity described in
subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, shall provide to
the Committees on Appropriations a written justification for
the proposed assistance, including an explanation of the
United States position regarding any such vote, as well as a
description of the location of the proposed assistance by
municipality, its purpose, and its intended beneficiaries.
(d) In carrying out this section, the Secretary of State,
the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, and the Secretary of the Treasury
shall consult with representatives of human rights
organizations and all government agencies with relevant
information to help prevent indicted war criminals from
benefiting from any financial or technical assistance or
grants provided to any country or entity described in
subsection (a).
(e) The Secretary of State may waive the application of
subsection (a) with respect to projects within a country,
entity, or municipality upon a written determination to the
Committees on Appropriations that such assistance directly
supports the implementation of the Dayton Accords.
(f) Definitions.--As used in this section:
(1) Country.--The term ``country'' means Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.
(2) Entity.--The term ``entity'' refers to the Federation
of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and the
Republika Srpska.
(3) Municipality.--The term ``municipality'' means a city,
town or other subdivision within a country or entity as
defined herein.
(4) Dayton accords.--The term ``Dayton Accords'' means the
General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, together with annexes relating thereto, done at
Dayton, November 10 through 16, 1995.
user fees
Sec. 562. The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the
United States Executive Director at each international
financial institution (as defined in section 1701(c)(2) of
the International Financial Institutions Act) and the
International Monetary Fund to oppose any loan, grant,
strategy or policy of these institutions that would require
user fees or service charges on poor people for primary
education or primary healthcare, including prevention and
treatment efforts for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and
infant, child, and maternal well-being, in connection with
the institutions' financing programs.
funding for serbia
Sec. 563. (a) Funds appropriated by this Act may be made
available for assistance for the central Government of Serbia
after May 31, 2007, if the President has made the
determination and certification contained in subsection (c).
(b) After May 31, 2007, the Secretary of the Treasury
should instruct the United States executive directors to the
international financial institutions to support loans and
assistance to the Government of Serbia and Montenegro subject
to the conditions in subsection (c): Provided, That section
576 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 1997, as amended, shall not
apply to the provision
[[Page H3673]]
of loans and assistance to the Government of Serbia and
Montenegro through international financial institutions.
(c) The determination and certification referred to in
subsection (a) is a determination by the President and a
certification to the Committees on Appropriations that the
Government of Serbia and Montenegro is--
(1) cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal
for the former Yugoslavia including access for investigators,
the provision of documents, and the surrender and transfer of
indictees or assistance in their apprehension, including
Ratko Mladic;
(2) taking steps that are consistent with the Dayton
Accords to end Serbian financial, political, security and
other support which has served to maintain separate Republika
Srpska institutions; and
(3) taking steps to implement policies which reflect a
respect for minority rights and the rule of law.
(d) This section shall not apply to Montenegro, Kosovo,
humanitarian assistance or assistance to promote democracy.
community-based police assistance
Sec. 564. (a) Authority.--Funds made available by this Act
to carry out the provisions of chapter 1 of part I and
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
may be used, notwithstanding section 660 of that Act, to
enhance the effectiveness and accountability of civilian
police authority through training and technical assistance in
human rights, the rule of law, strategic planning, and
through assistance to foster civilian police roles that
support democratic governance including assistance for
programs to prevent conflict, respond to disasters, address
gender-based violence, and foster improved police relations
with the communities they serve.
(b) Notification.--Assistance provided under subsection (a)
shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
Special Debt Relief for the Poorest
Sec. 565. (a) Authority To Reduce Debt.--The President may
reduce amounts owed to the United States (or any agency of
the United States) by an eligible country as a result of--
(1) guarantees issued under sections 221 and 222 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961;
(2) credits extended or guarantees issued under the Arms
Export Control Act; or
(3) any obligation or portion of such obligation, to pay
for purchases of United States agricultural commodities
guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation under export
credit guarantee programs authorized pursuant to section 5(f)
of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act of June 29,
1948, as amended, section 4(b) of the Food for Peace Act of
1966, as amended (Public Law 89-808), or section 202 of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended (Public Law 95-
501).
(b) Limitations.--
(1) The authority provided by subsection (a) may be
exercised only to implement multilateral official debt relief
and referendum agreements, commonly referred to as ``Paris
Club Agreed Minutes''.
(2) The authority provided by subsection (a) may be
exercised only in such amounts or to such extent as is
provided in advance by appropriations Acts.
(3) The authority provided by subsection (a) may be
exercised only with respect to countries with heavy debt
burdens that are eligible to borrow from the International
Development Association, but not from the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, commonly referred to as
``IDA-only'' countries.
(c) Conditions.--The authority provided by subsection (a)
may be exercised only with respect to a country whose
government--
(1) does not have an excessive level of military
expenditures;
(2) has not repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism;
(3) is not failing to cooperate on international narcotics
control matters;
(4) (including its military or other security forces) does
not engage in a consistent pattern of gross violations of
internationally recognized human rights; and
(5) is not ineligible for assistance because of the
application of section 527 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995.
(d) Availability of Funds.--The authority provided by
subsection (a) may be used only with regard to the funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Debt
Restructuring''.
(e) Certain Prohibitions Inapplicable.--A reduction of debt
pursuant to subsection (a) shall not be considered assistance
for the purposes of any provision of law limiting assistance
to a country. The authority provided by subsection (a) may be
exercised notwithstanding section 620(r) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 or section 321 of the International
Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975.
Point of Order
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Chairman, I raise a point of order against section
565(a)(3) because it violates rule XXI, clause 2, which prohibits
legislative language in a general appropriations bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to be heard?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I concede the point of order against this
language requested by the administration.
The CHAIRMAN. The point of order is conceded and sustained. That
portion of the bill is therefore stricken.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 127, line 24 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 127, line 24 is as
follows:
Authority To Engage in Debt Buybacks or Sales
Sec. 566. (a) Loans Eligible for Sale, Reduction, or
Cancellation.--
(1) Authority to sell, reduce, or cancel certain loans.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President
may, in accordance with this section, sell to any eligible
purchaser any concessional loan or portion thereof made
before January 1, 1995, pursuant to the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, to the government of any eligible country as
defined in section 702(6) of that Act or on receipt of
payment from an eligible purchaser, reduce or cancel such
loan or portion thereof, only for the purpose of
facilitating--
(A) debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps, or
debt-for-nature swaps; or
(B) a debt buyback by an eligible country of its own
qualified debt, only if the eligible country uses an
additional amount of the local currency of the eligible
country, equal to not less than 40 percent of the price paid
for such debt by such eligible country, or the difference
between the price paid for such debt and the face value of
such debt, to support activities that link conservation and
sustainable use of natural resources with local community
development, and child survival and other child development,
in a manner consistent with sections 707 through 710 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, if the sale, reduction, or
cancellation would not contravene any term or condition of
any prior agreement relating to such loan.
(2) Terms and conditions.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the President shall, in accordance with
this section, establish the terms and conditions under which
loans may be sold, reduced, or canceled pursuant to this
section.
(3) Administration.--The Facility, as defined in section
702(8) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, shall notify
the administrator of the agency primarily responsible for
administering part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 of
purchasers that the President has determined to be eligible,
and shall direct such agency to carry out the sale,
reduction, or cancellation of a loan pursuant to this
section. Such agency shall make adjustment in its accounts to
reflect the sale, reduction, or cancellation.
(4) Limitation.--The authorities of this subsection shall
be available only to the extent that appropriations for the
cost of the modification, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, are made in advance.
(b) Deposit of Proceeds.--The proceeds from the sale,
reduction, or cancellation of any loan sold, reduced, or
canceled pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the
United States Government account or accounts established for
the repayment of such loan.
(c) Eligible Purchasers.--A loan may be sold pursuant to
subsection (a)(1)(A) only to a purchaser who presents plans
satisfactory to the President for using the loan for the
purpose of engaging in debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-
development swaps, or debt-for-nature swaps.
(d) Debtor Consultations.--Before the sale to any eligible
purchaser, or any reduction or cancellation pursuant to this
section, of any loan made to an eligible country, the
President should consult with the country concerning the
amount of loans to be sold, reduced, or canceled and their
uses for debt-for-equity swaps, debt-for-development swaps,
or debt-for-nature swaps.
(e) Availability of Funds.--The authority provided by
subsection (a) may be used only with regard to funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Debt
Restructuring''.
Basic Education
Sec. 567. Of the funds appropriated by title II of this
Act, not less than $550,000,000 shall be made available for
basic education.
reconciliation programs
Sec. 568. Of the funds appropriated under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'', not less than $15,000,000 should
be made available to support reconciliation programs and
activities which bring together individuals of different
ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds from areas of
civil conflict and war.
Sudan
Sec. 569. (a) Limitation on Assistance.--Subject to
subsection (b):
(1) Notwithstanding section 501(a) of the International
Malaria Control Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-570) or any other
provision of law, none of the funds appropriated by this Act
may be made available for assistance for the Government of
Sudan.
(2) None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made
available for the cost, as
[[Page H3674]]
defined in section 502, of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, of modifying loans and loan guarantees held by the
Government of Sudan, including the cost of selling, reducing,
or canceling amounts owed to the United States, and modifying
concessional loans, guarantees, and credit agreements.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply if the Secretary of
State determines and certifies to the Committees on
Appropriations that--
(1) the Government of Sudan has taken significant steps to
disarm and disband government-supported militia groups in the
Darfur region;
(2) the Government of Sudan and all government-supported
militia groups are honoring their ceasefire commitments made
in the Darfur Peace Agreement; and
(3) the Government of Sudan is allowing unimpeded access to
Darfur to humanitarian aid organizations, the human rights
investigation and humanitarian teams of the United Nations,
including protection officers, and an international
monitoring team that is based in Darfur and that has the
support of the United States.
(c) Exceptions.--The provisions of subsection (b) shall not
apply to--
(1) humanitarian assistance;
(2) assistance for Darfur and for areas outside the control
of the Government of Sudan; and
(3) assistance to support implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement or the Darfur Peace Agreement.
(d) Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act and section
501 of Public Law 106-570, the terms ``Government of Sudan'',
``areas outside of control of the Government of Sudan'', and
``area in Sudan outside of control of the Government of
Sudan'' shall have the same meaning and application as was
the case immediately prior to June 5, 2004, and, Southern
Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State and Abyei
shall be deemed ``areas outside of control of the Government
of Sudan''.
Peace Corps Personal Services Contractors Separation Pay
Sec. 570. (a) Establishment.--There is established in the
Treasury of the United States a fund for the Peace Corps to
provide separation pay for host country resident personal
services contractors of the Peace Corps.
(b) Funding.--The Director of the Peace Corps may deposit
in such fund--
(1) amounts previously obligated and not canceled for
separation pay of host country resident personal services
contractors of the Peace Corps; and
(2) amounts obligated for fiscal years after 2006 for the
current and future costs of separation pay for host country
resident personal services contractors of the Peace Corps.
(c) Availability.--Beginning in fiscal year 2007 and
thereafter, amounts in the fund are available without fiscal
year limitation for severance, retirement, or other
separation payments to host country resident personal
services contractors of the Peace Corps in countries where
such pay is legally authorized.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language
on page 127, line 5 through line 24 is not in order because it violates
clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations
bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to be heard on the
point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I concede the point of order against that
language dealing with separation pay for the Peace Corps.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman concedes the point of order. It is
therefore sustained, and section 570 of the bill is stricken.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 136, line 5 be considered as read, printed in
the Record, and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 136, line 5 is as
follows:
excess defense articles for central and south european countries and
certain other countries
Sec. 571. Notwithstanding section 516(e) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j(e)), during fiscal
year 2007, funds available to the Department of Defense may
be expended for crating, packing, handling, and
transportation of excess defense articles transferred under
the authority of section 516 of such Act to Albania,
Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Former Yugoslavian
Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Pakistan,
Romania, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.
cuba
Sec. 572. None of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'' may be made available for assistance to the
Government of Cuba.
gender-based violence
Sec. 573. Programs funded under titles II and III of this
Act that provide training for foreign police, judicial, and
military officials, shall include, where appropriate,
programs and activities that address gender-based violence.
limitation on economic support fund assistance for certain foreign
governments that are parties to the international criminal court
Sec. 574. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act
in title II under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' may
be used to provide assistance to the government of a country
that is a party to the International Criminal Court and has
not entered into an agreement with the United States pursuant
to Article 98 of the Rome Statute preventing the
International Criminal Court from proceeding against United
States personnel present in such country.
(b) The President may, with prior notice to Congress, waive
the prohibition of subsection (a) with respect to a North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (``NATO'') member country, a
major non-NATO ally (including Australia, Egypt, Israel,
Japan, Jordan, Argentina, the Republic of Korea, and New
Zealand), Taiwan, or such other country as he may determine
if he determines and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that it is important to the national interests of
the United States to waive such prohibition.
(c) The President may, with prior notice to Congress, waive
the prohibition of subsection (a) with respect to a
particular country if he determines and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that such country has
entered into an agreement with the United States pursuant to
Article 98 of the Rome Statute preventing the International
Criminal Court from proceeding against United States
personnel present in such country.
(d) The prohibition of this section shall not apply to
countries otherwise eligible for assistance under the
Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, notwithstanding section
606(a)(2)(B) of such Act.
tibet
Sec. 575. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury should instruct
the United States executive director to each international
financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United
States to support projects in Tibet if such projects do not
provide incentives for the migration and settlement of non-
Tibetans into Tibet or facilitate the transfer of ownership
of Tibetan land and natural resources to non-Tibetans; are
based on a thorough needs-assessment; foster self-sufficiency
of the Tibetan people and respect Tibetan culture and
traditions; and are subject to effective monitoring.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not less
than $4,000,000 of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' should be made
available to nongovernmental organizations to support
activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote
sustainable development and environmental conservation in
Tibetan communities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in
other Tibetan communities in China, and not less than
$250,000 should be made available to the National Endowment
for Democracy for human rights and democracy programs
relating to Tibet.
western hemisphere
Sec. 576. (a) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the headings ``Child Survival and Health Programs Fund'' and
``Development Assistance'', not less than the amount of funds
initially allocated pursuant to section 653(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 for fiscal year 2006 should be made
available for El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras.
(b) In addition to the amounts requested under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' for assistance for Nicaragua and
Guatemala in fiscal year 2007, not less than $1,500,000
should be made available for electoral assistance, media and
civil society programs, and activities to combat corruption
and strengthen democracy in Nicaragua, and not less than
$1,500,000 should be made available for programs and
activities to combat organized crime, crimes of violence
specifically targeting women, and corruption in Guatemala.
(c) Funds made available pursuant to subsection (b) shall
be subject to prior consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
(d) Of the funds appropriated in title II of this Act, not
less than the amount of funds initially allocated pursuant to
section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for
fiscal year 2006 in the aggregate for countries of the
Western Hemisphere should be made available for such puposes
in this bill.
united states agency for international development management
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 577. (a) Authority.--Up to $81,000,000 of the funds
made available in this Act to carry out the provisions of
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including funds
appropriated under the heading ``Assistance for Eastern
Europe and the Baltic States'', may be used by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) to hire
and employ individuals in the United States and overseas on a
limited appointment basis pursuant to the authority of
sections 308 and 309 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980.
(b) Restrictions.--
[[Page H3675]]
(1) The number of individuals hired in any fiscal year
pursuant to the authority contained in subsection (a) may not
exceed 175.
(2) The authority to hire individuals contained in
subsection (a) shall expire on September 30, 2008.
(c) Conditions.--The authority of subsection (a) may only
be used to the extent that an equivalent number of positions
that are filled by personal services contractors or other
nondirect-hire employees of USAID, who are compensated with
funds appropriated to carry out part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, including funds appropriated under
the heading ``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic
States'', are eliminated.
(d) Priority Sectors.--In exercising the authority of this
section, primary emphasis shall be placed on enabling USAID
to meet personnel positions in technical skill areas
currently encumbered by contractor or other nondirect-hire
personnel.
(e) Consultations.--The USAID Administrator shall consult
with the Committees on Appropriations at least on a quarterly
basis concerning the implementation of this section.
(f) Program Account Charged.--The account charged for the
cost of an individual hired and employed under the authority
of this section shall be the account to which such
individual's responsibilities primarily relate. Funds made
available to carry out this section may be transferred to and
merged and consolidated with funds appropriated for
``Operating Expenses of the United States Agency for
International Development''.
(g) Management Reform Pilot.--Of the funds made available
in subsection (a), USAID may use, in addition to funds
otherwise available for such purposes, up to $10,000,000 to
fund overseas support costs of members of the Foreign Service
with a Foreign Service rank of four or below: Provided, That
such authority is only used to reduce USAID's reliance on
overseas personal services contractors or other nondirect-
hire employees compensated with funds appropriated to carry
out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including
funds appropriated under the heading ``Assistance for Eastern
Europe and the Baltic States''.
(h) Disaster Surge Capacity.--Funds appropriated by this
Act to carry out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, including funds appropriated under the heading
``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States'', may
be used, in addition to funds otherwise available for such
purposes, for the cost (including the support costs) of
individuals detailed to or employed by the United States
Agency for International Development whose primary
responsibility is to carry out programs in response to
natural disasters.
Rescissions
Sec. 578. (a) Of the funds provided in title IV of Public
Law 109-102, under the heading ``Funds Appropriated to the
President, International Financial Institutions, Contribution
to the International Development Association'', $188,100,000
is hereby rescinded.
(b) Of the funds appropriated in Public Law 109-102 under
the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' that are available for
assistance and under such heading in prior Acts making
appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and
related programs, $200,000,000 are hereby rescinded:
Provided, That such amount shall be derived only from funds
not yet expended for cash transfer assistance.
opic transfer authority
(including transfer of funds)
Sec. 579. Whenever the President determines that it is in
furtherance of the purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, up to a total of $30,000,000 of the funds appropriated
for programs in Iraq under title II of this Act may be
transferred to and merged with funds appropriated by this Act
for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation Program
Account, to be subject to the terms and conditions of that
account: Provided, That such funds shall not be available for
administrative expenses of the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation: Provided further, That funds specially
designated by this Act shall not be transferred pursuant to
this section: Provided further, That the exercise of such
authority shall be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
Point of Order
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language
on page 135, line 17 through page 136, line 5 is not in order because
it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an
appropriations bill.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to be heard on the
point of order?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I concede the point of order against this
legislation, strongly desired by the administration regarding OPIC and
Iraq.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman concedes the point of order. It is
therefore sustained, and that portion of the bill is stricken.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Waters).
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin by thanking the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and the gentlewoman from New York
(Mrs. Lowey) for all of their hard work on this bill. I deeply
appreciate their concern and their attention and responsiveness to my
concerns about the need for U.S. assistance to Haiti.
I had planned early on to offer an amendment that would have added
$20 million for Haiti in fiscal year 2007 in order to restore the funds
that were cut from the supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year
2006. However, I decided not to offer this amendment because I
sincerely believe that the chairman and the ranking member have made a
tremendous effort to protect funding for Haiti as much as possible in
both the supplemental appropriations bill and the bill before us today.
Mr. Chairman, I have paid attention to Haiti, this very small, poor
country in our hemisphere, because I think they have been the stepchild
of foreign aid and foreign consideration by our own government and
other governments in this hemisphere.
The people of Haiti have suffered a lot. The Republic of Haiti held
elections on February 7, 2006, and many Haitians walked miles on
election day to reach a polling station and waited for hours in line to
exercise their right to vote. An overwhelming 2.2 million Haitians,
more than 60 percent of registered voters, participated in these
elections and demonstrated their commitment to democracy. Rene Preval
was declared the winner of the presidential election after receiving
over 51 percent of the vote in a crowded field of candidates.
Now, the challenges facing President Preval and the newly elected
government are enormous. The people of Haiti have suffered tremendously
in past years as a result of this poverty, political violence and
natural disaster, and the newly elected government will need the
support and assistance of the United States to ensure national
reconciliation and sustainable development and to improve the lives of
the Haitian people.
So I come today not only to congratulate and thank my friends and my
colleagues, but to say that we have an opportunity to really reach out
and help this small, poor country, a country where we have sided with
dictators in the past, Papa Doc and Baby Doc and others who kept their
foot on the necks of the poor, who sided with the elite and who have
sided with outside interests to control the economics of Haiti. They
have driven this country into the ground.
My greatest desire, I would say to Ranking Member Lowey, is that they
will get a water system. They don't have potable water in Haiti. My
greatest desire is that we will have education for the kids and health
centers. My greatest desire is that we will support a government with a
justice system, with trained judges and a supreme court and courts that
will be able to deal with the problems of violence and crime, et
cetera. This will help so much.
I think what you have done here is sent a message to other potential
funding sources. You are saying to IMF and to the World Bank and others
that we really do care and we really do want to lend a hand and that we
really believe in the possibilities for Haiti. I want to thank you.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman
for her commitment for so many years to Haiti, and I certainly share
her views and that commitment. I do hope with the leadership of Haiti
that the people, the families, especially the children, can have the
opportunities that all deserve. I look forward to continuing to work
with you, with the chairman, to ensure that the United States is a
strong partner, and working together we can reach the goals which you
have expressed so eloquently.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
limitation on funds relating to attendance of Federal employees at
conferences occurring outside the United States
Sec. 580. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to send or otherwise pay for the attendance of more
than 50 employees of agencies or departments of the United
States Government who are stationed in the United States, at
any single international conference occurring outside the
United States, unless the Secretary of State
[[Page H3676]]
determines that such attendance is in the national interest:
Provided, That for purposes of this section the term
``international conference'' shall mean a conference attended
by representatives of the United States Government and
representatives of foreign governments, international
organizations, or nongovernmental organizations.
limitation on assistance to foreign countries that refuse to extradite
to the United States any individual accused in the United States of
killing a law enforcement officer
Sec. 581. None of the funds made available in this Act for
the Department of State may be used to provide assistance to
the central government of a country which has notified the
Department of State of its refusal to extradite to the United
States any individual indicted in the United States for
killing a law enforcement officer, as specified in a United
States extradition request, unless the Secretary of State
certifies to the Committees on Appropriations in writing that
the application of the restriction to a country or countries
is contrary to the national interest of the United States.
Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. McHenry
Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 14 offered by Mr. McHenry:
Page 137, line 11, strike ``, unless'' and all that follows
through ``United States'' on line 15.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry) and a Member opposed each
will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to commend Chairman Kolbe for
his dedication and steadfast leadership here in the United States House
of Representatives, and in particular his leadership on this very
important appropriations subcommittee. Chairman, you are going to be
sorely missed here in Congress, but we know that you are going to
continue to fight the good fight for the right issues and the right
values going forward. Thank you for your service to your constituents
and your Nation.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak today and I offer an amendment to this
end to speak to a growing problem in our Nation where criminals who
commit violent crimes, including murdering law enforcement officers,
these criminals are illegal immigrants, some of them. Some are
immigrants. These folks sometimes flee the Nation and they flee to
nations that refuse to extradite them back to the United States of
America so they can be dealt with in our justice system, and those
nations have been refusing to extradite these criminals because of our
tough laws on criminals, including life imprisonment.
There is language in this bill that addresses these concerns, but
there is one big problem: it gives the State Department the power to
issue waivers to foreign countries which allow these countries to
continue receiving taxpayer funding even if they refuse to extradite
these criminals to the United States.
My amendment strikes the State Department's ability to issue waivers
to foreign countries that refuse to extradite cop killers so they will
stand trial here in the United States where their crime was committed
or allegedly committed.
I offered the original amendment last year with Congressman Beauprez
of Colorado without this waiver provision. It passed by a vote of 327-
98 on this House floor. The amendment would return section 581 to its
original intent: no funds should go to a foreign country refusing to
extradite to the United States any individual accused in the United
States of killing a law enforcement officer.
In 2002, Mr. Chairman, a convicted felon who had been deported three
times allegedly shot and killed a Los Angeles County sheriff following
a routine traffic stop before fleeing to Mexico, where he remains
today. That police officer was murdered, and that criminal, that man
accused, is free today in Mexico.
The U.S. should not be forced to plea bargain with other countries in
order to try criminals, especially cop killers, in our courts. As a
good neighbor and a country built on respect for law, Mexico should
fully understand and comply with their obligations to return cop
killers to the United States to stand trial. Killing a police officer
is one of the most egregious crimes, and we should have the right to
seek justice for the families of the slain officers.
Mr. Chairman, when countries do not extradite violent criminals, it
actually creates a perverse and twisted incentive to even commit
greater violent crimes here and run back to their countries. The more
violent the crime, the tougher the sentence here in the United States,
which is right, that is good; and the tougher the sentence, the less
likely they are going to be extradited. That is a very perverse and
twisted incentive for violent crimes.
So the U.S. should not be obliged to give foreign aid to these
countries refusing to extradite these violent criminals back to the
United States where they justly should be given the trial they deserve,
and foreign aid money should not go to these countries that will not
abide by reasonable laws that we have on the books.
I ask my colleagues to vote for this amendment. It is a commonsense
amendment that puts teeth back into the original legislation and will
put pressure on countries who gladly take our money while protecting
the most vile criminals from prosecution.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition,
though I do not intend to oppose this.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the gentleman from Arizona may
control the time in opposition and is recognized for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, as the gentleman from North Carolina has explained, his
amendment seeks to strike the waiver provision that we have in section
581 of this bill. That section limits the availability, as he has
described, of assistance to foreign countries that refuse to extradite
to the United States any individual accused in the United States of
killing a law enforcement officer. Certainly, as he has said, we want
to pursue to the farthest ends of this Earth anybody that is accused of
killing a law enforcement officer here in the United States.
The provision does also include authority for the Secretary to
provide assistance if she certifies to the Committee on Appropriations
that the application of the restriction to a country or countries is
contrary to the national interests of the United States.
Now, I acknowledge that that language was not in the bill when we
passed it last year. It was added in conference. So what we brought to
the floor this year is exactly the language that was enacted into law
last year, but the provision that he seeks to strike was language that
was not included in the House-passed bill last year.
{time} 1100
And given that understanding, that what his amendment would do is to
simply return the language in this bill to that that we passed on the
floor of the House last year, given that understanding, I am prepared
to accept this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).
The amendment was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
International Monetary Fund Budget and Hiring Ceilings
Sec. 582. The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the
United States Executive Director at the International
Monetary Fund to use the voice of the United States to ensure
that any loan, project, agreement, memorandum, instrument,
plan or other program of the Intenational Monetary Fund does
not penalize countries for increased government spending on
healthcare or education by exempting such increases from
national budget caps or restraints, hiring or wage bill
celings or other limits imposed by the International Monetary
Fund.
Governments that have failed to permit certain extraditions
Sec. 583. None of the funds made available in this Act for
the Department of State, other than funds provided under the
heading ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', may be used to provide assistance to the
central government of a
[[Page H3677]]
country with which the United States has an extradition
treaty and which government has notified the Department of
State of its refusal to extradite to the United States any
individual indicted for a criminal offense for which the
maximum penalty is life imprisonment without the possibility
of parole, unless the Secretary of State certifies to the
Committees on Appropriations in writing that the application
of this restriction to a country or countries is contrary to
the national interest of the United States.
Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mr. Deal of Georgia
Mr. DEAL of GEORGIA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 13 offered by Mr. Deal of Georgia:
Page 138, beginning on line 12, strike ``indicted for'' and
insert ``charged with''.
Page 138 line 14, strike ``, unless'' and all that follows
through ``United States'' on line 18.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, my amendment is similar to the one we have just
discussed that Mr. McHenry was talking about, except that it is broader
in the context of dealing with not just those who would kill cops, but
those who would kill other citizens in our country, who would rape our
children and our women, who would sell and deal in distributing major
drugs in our country, in other words major criminals who commit these
crimes within our borders and then flee back across the border.
Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that this is similar also in that what
the chairman has done, and I commend him for this, is that he has put
into the base bill the language that was adopted in the conference
committee last year.
As in the similar situation previously, it contains a waiver
provision for the Secretary of State to waive the provisions for a
country that refuses to extradite under the terms of this language.
The only other exception from that variation is that it uses the
words that an individual must be indicted. The language we have used,
and the language that is consistent in most extradition treaties is
charged.
There is a legal difference between the two. My amendment would
change the language back to the way it was when it passed the House
last year, to an individual who is charged rather than having to be
indicted, and then strikes the language that allows the State
Department to waive the provisions of this part of the Act.
Now, I believe the chairman probably is going to receive this
favorably, and I would thank him in advance for that. But I would say
to him that I had a second amendment that I will not offer, but I would
call it to his attention and ask that he consider the merits of it,
because it deals with some more of the technicalities of extraditions.
It deals with a country that would, rather than dealing with a
specific individual extradition, just simply issues a broad statement
that we will not extradite anyone if they face punishment of 20 years
or 25 years.
And the language that we have is tailored to individuals, not
blanket-type waivers. The other part is, that if they simply do not
respond to an extradition request, we think those are technical areas
that ought to be examined. I do commend the chairman not only for his
willingness to insert and agree to this kind of language, but also for
his long service in the interest in this year.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the chairman at this time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for
yielding.
Mr. Chairman, as he has explained what his amendment would do, and as
we did with the previous amendment offered by the gentleman from
Carolina we would return this particular provision back to the same as
the House adopted last year.
And with that understanding, I am certainly willing to accept this.
The gentleman has also said that he will not offer the other amendment
which does expand the authorities. He has asked us to consider that. We
certainly can consider that in the conference committee.
But, as long as we are returning this to the provisions added last
year, I would certainly ask that we leave it as it was last year, and
not expand the authority either here on the floor.
With that understanding, I accept the gentleman's amendment.
Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time.
Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for that. I would say in
conclusion that I hope that the State Department will deal in better
faith in dealing with issues such as waivers. I know the chairman and
others in the conference are going to be under extreme pressure from
the State Department to reinsert waiver language.
But I would say when we give the State Department discretion in the
nature of a waiver, they owe it to this Congress, out of respect for
what we think is important about extraditing people who have committed
the most heinous crimes against our citizens, and for whom those
countries are receiving taxpayer dollars and assistance, to do more
than they did last year in a one-sentence waiver that made no
distinction between those countries that were trying and those
countries that were not.
I thank again the chairman. I urge him to stand firm on this issue.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder
of the bill through page 146, line 21 be considered as read, printed in
the Record and open to amendment at any point.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Arizona?
There was no objection.
The text of the remainder of the bill through page 146, line 21 is as
follows:
reporting requirement
Sec. 584. The Secretary of State shall provide the
Committees on Appropriations, not later than April 1, 2007,
and for each fiscal quarter, a report in writing on the uses
of funds made available under the headings ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'', ``International Military Education and
Training'', and ``Peacekeeping Operations'': Provided, That
such report shall include a description of the obligation and
expenditure of funds, and the specific country in receipt of,
and the use or purpose of the assistance provided by such
funds.
Assistance for Demobilization and Disarmament of Former Irregular
Combatants in Colombia
Sec. 585. (a) Availablity of Funds.--Of the funds
appropriated in this Act, up to $20,000,000 may be made
available in fiscal year 2007 for assistance for the
demobilization and disarmament of former members of foreign
terrorist organizations (FTOs) in Colombia, specifically the
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the
National Liberation Army (ELN), if the Secretary of State
makes a certification described in subsection (b) to the
appropriate congressional committees prior to the intial
obligation of amounts for such assistance for the fiscal year
involved.
(b) Certification.--A certification described in this
subsection is a certification that--
(1) assistance for the fiscal year will be provided only
for individuals who have: (A) verifiably renounced and
terminated any affiliation or involvement with FTOs or other
illegal armed groups; and (B) are meeting all the
requirements of the Colombia Demobilization Program,
including having disclosed their involvement in past crimes
and their knowledge of the FTO's structure, financing
sources, illegal assets, and the location of kidnapping
victims and bodies of the disappeared;
(2) the Government of Colombia is providing full
cooperation to the Government of the United States to
extradite the leaders and members of the FTOs who have been
indicted in the United States for murder, kidnapping,
narcotics trafficking, and other violations of United States
law;
(3) the Government of Colombia is implementing a concrete
and workable framework for dismantling the organizational
structures of foreign terrorist organizations; and
(4) funds shall not be made available as cash payments to
individuals and are available only for activities under the
following categories: verification, reintegration (including
training and education), vetting, recovery of assets for
reparations for victims, and investigations and prosecutions.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
[[Page H3678]]
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
International Relations of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) Foreign terrorist organization.--The term ``foreign
terrorist organization'' means an organization designated as
a terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act.
Office of the Director of Trade Capacity Enhancement
Sec. 586. The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) shall create within USAID a
new office of Trade Capacity Enhancement and designate a
Director of that office: Provided, That this office shall be
responsible for USAID's trade capacity building programs,
coordinating the implementation of all programs developed by
the State Department for trade capacity building and
coordinating government-wide trade capacity building efforts
of United States agencies: Provided further, That this office
shall be responsible for ensuring that country strategic
plans, as appropriate, include a trade capacity enhancement
strategic goal and monitor the implemenation plan for
achieving this goal.
enhancing women's economic opportunities
Sec. 587. (a) Support for Women's Small- and Medium-Sized
Enterprises in Developing Countries.
(1) In general.--When carrying out enterprise development
programs with funds appropriated in ``Development
Assistance'', ``Economic Support Funds'', or otherwise made
available in the Act for ``Development Assistance'', the
Director of Foreign Assistance shall ensure that, where
appropriate, such programs, projects, and activities meet the
requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Requirements.--The requirements referred to in
paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) In coordination with developing country governments and
interested individuals and organizations, create or enhance
laws, regulations, enforcement, and other practices that
promote access to banking and financial services for women-
owned small- and medium-sized enterprises, and eliminate or
reduce regulatory barriers that may exist in this regard.
(B) Promote access to information and communication
technologies (ICT) with training in ICT for women-owned
small- and medium-sized enterprises.
(C) Provide training, through local associations of women-
owned enterprises in record keeping, financial and personnel
management, international trade, business planning,
marketing, policy advocacy, and other relevant areas.
(D) Provide resources to establish and enhance local,
national, and international networks and associations of
women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises.
(E) Provide incentives for nongovernmental organizations
and regulated financial intermediaries to develop products,
services, and marketing and outreach strategies specifically
designed to facilitate and promote women's participation in
small and medium-sized business development programs by
addressing women's assets, needs, and the barriers they face
to participation in enterprise and financial services.
(F) Seek to award contracts to qualified indigenous women-
owned small and medium-sized enterprises, including for post-
conflict reconstruction and to facilitate employment of
indigenous women, including during post-conflict
reconstruction in jobs not traditionally undertaken by women.
(b) Trade Benefits for Women in Developing Countries.--The
enterprise development and trade capacity promotion programs
administered by the Department of State and the United States
Agency for International Development shall incorporate the
following objectives:
(1) Provide training and education to women's civil
society, including those organizations representing poor
women, and to women-owned enterprises and associations of
such enterprises, on how to respond to economic opportunities
created by trade preference programs, trade agreements, or
other policies creating market access, including training on
United States market access requirements and procedures.
(2) Provide capacity building for women entrepreneurs,
including microentrepreneurs, on production strategies,
quality standards, formation of cooperatives, market
research, and market development.
(3) Provide capacity building to women, including poor
women, to promote diversification of products and value-added
processing.
(4) Provide training to official government negotiators
representing developing countries in order to enhance the
ability of such negotiators to formulate trade policy and
negotiate agreements that take into account the needs and
priorities of a country's poor, including poor women.
(5) Provide training to local women's groups in developing
countries in order to enhance their ability to collect
information and data, formulate proposals, and inform and
impact official government negotiators representing their
country in international trade negotiations of the needs and
priorities of a country's poor, including poor women.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
enactment of this Act, the Director of Foreign Assistance
shall report to the Committees on Appropriations on the
implementation of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b)
of this section.
Authorization
Sec. 588. To authorize United States participation in, and
appropriations for, the United States contribution to the
first replenishment of the resources of the Enterprise for
the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund, the Inter-American
Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 283 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 39. FIRST REPLENISHMENT OF THE RESOURCES OF THE
ENTERPRISE FOR THE AMERICAS MULTILATERAL
INVESTMENT FUND.
``(a) Contribution Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury may
contribute on behalf of the United States $150,000,000 to the
first replenishment of the resources of the Enterprise for
the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund.
``(2) Subject to appropriations.--The authority provided by
paragraph (1) may be exercised only to the extent and in the
amounts provided for in advance in appropriations Acts.
``(b) Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations.--For
the United States contribution authorized by subsection (a),
there are authorized to be appropriated not more than
$150,000,000, without fiscal year limitation, for payment by
the Secretary of the Treasury.''.
Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Terry
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 12 offered by Mr. Terry:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on funds
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used in contravention of section 2320(a) of title 18,
United States Code.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska.
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, my amendment tries to protect one of America's greatest
assets, and that is its intellectual properties, its creativity that
has been trademarked.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents where U.S. tax dollars have
been provided to various agencies outside of the borders who have used
those taxpayer dollars to solicit the help from organizations or
companies that have usurped America's trademarks or intellectual
properties.
This amendment is simple. It ensures that the foreign assistance
dollars are not used to support the importation of counterfeit goods
and services. This amendment is a modification of a bill of which Mr.
Tiahrt and I have authored, which has bipartisan support of 29 of my
colleagues.
By the way, I will say that the major impetus of this bill is with
the Gallup Organization, partly headquartered in my district, whose
pooling is world renowned, but yet its trade name has been usurped for
various purposes in parts of the world of which U.S. tax dollars
unfortunately have gone to support.
So this is our effort.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr.
Tiahrt).
Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska for his
leadership on this issue. We have the number one economy in the world.
And since we took over that position, we have never looked back.
But today, we had better be looking over our shoulder. Other
countries are rapidly gaining ground, and part of the problem is in our
trade policy.
Mr. Chairman over the last generation, Congress has created barriers
to keeping and creating jobs in America. The Economic Competitive
Caucus has listed eight categories of these barriers that restrict the
growth in our economy and restrict more American jobs.
One of these categories is securing trade policy, more trade
agreements and opening markets to help create jobs. But we must also
enforce the trade policy and the trade agreements that we have made,
because if we do not, we will lose jobs.
Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) has identified
an unenforced portion of our statutes. His
[[Page H3679]]
amendment closes a loophole, and protects the creative talents in
America and saves American jobs.
We must protect against infringement of American ideas to protect
these jobs and we do that by enforcing our trade agreements. This
amendment will do just that. Please support the gentleman from
Nebraska's amendment.
Mr. TERRY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Kansas.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona, the great
chairman.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
This is a longstanding and actually a very complex trademark dispute
between Gallup Organization and Gallup International. It has been the
subject of legal action in a number of countries, the courts of a
number of foreign countries.
USAID says that they are complying with the law, that they are
following the law. In fact, Ambassador Tobias recently instructed his
staff to take numerous steps to ensure that they are in compliance with
the law.
He asked that, first, they develop contracting and procurement
procedures to ensure the strict adherence to intellectual property
rights be integral when evaluating prospective contractors and
grantees.
Second, that they review current contracts and grants in question,
which will be terminated if violations are discovered. And, third, for
any product or material that is found to bear a counterfeit Gallup
trademark, review it for proper disposition under relevant laws and
regulations.
Mr. Chairman, they are very much involved in this, and are taking
very direct and concrete steps to deal with that. However, having said
that, I support certainly the concept that is behind this amendment. I
would urge that we accept this.
Mr. TERRY. Reclaiming my time, I want to thank the chairman for those
comments and pointing out the steps that have been taken. Those are
reassuring. I thank you for accepting the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. McGovern
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 8 offered by Mr. McGovern:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Limitation on assistance for the Western Hemisphere Institute for
Security Cooperation
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used for programs at the Western Hemisphere Institute for
Security Cooperation located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) and a Member opposed each
will control 15 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 5 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, it has been many years since we last debated this
issue. In 1999 the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted
to stop funding the U.S. Army School of the Americas. That vote so
shook the Department of Defense that the following year, they brought a
proposal to the Congress to close the SOA and organize a new school,
the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.
In the past 5 years, we have continued to see the notorious legacy of
the School of the Americas live on. To this day, human rights violation
and criminal acts continue to be committed by its graduates. But what
about the Western Hemisphere Institute itself?
While it is still in its early years, already we have seen the
Institute welcome to its courses well known, well documented human
rights violators. This has happened with the 2003 admittance of a
Salvadorian colonel responsible for the 1983 massacre at Las Hojas.
This case, and his name, were cited in the United Nations Truth
Commission report in 1993, and even in our own State Department Country
Reports.
The Institute accepted and trained in 2002 a major from Bolivia
responsible for kidnapping and torture of Waldo Albarracin, who today
serves as Bolivia's human rights ombudsman. This is a case that was
presented to the OAS Human Rights Commission.
And three Colombian officers under investigation for personal use of
counternarcotics funds, and let me add under investigation at the
insistence of the United States Justice Department, were admitted to
the Institute in 2003.
What possible kind of pre-vetting program could possibly let such
notorious figures into its classes? Why are our tax dollars being spent
on giving these guys a junket in Georgia? And if the WHINSEC cannot
even screen out well known murderers and criminals, what about those
who are less well known?
Mr. Chairman, Latin America is already walking away from the WHINSEC.
Argentina and Uruguay recently announced they will no longer send any
of its military or police to the school.
Enrollment from Latin America has been steadily falling over the past
3 years. In 2003, there were 1,190 students at the WHINSEC. This year
there will only be 668. 77 percent of the students come from just five
countries, mainly the Andean nations.
But while enrollment has declined by 40 percent, funding for the
school has remained steady or slightly increased. U.S. soldiers are now
attending the WHINSEC to fill up the classrooms.
Mr. Chairman, what are we doing here? I will tell you one thing that
we are doing, we are sending the wrong signal to Latin America. We are
telling them that we will not shut down the school that is anathema to
civil society and human rights organizations throughout the hemisphere.
And if you wonder what the old School of the Americas has to do with
all of this, well, let me just tell you. Every time someone gets
murdered in Latin America today by someone trained at the School of the
Americas, their family, friends and colleagues, they remember that the
U.S. trained this guy at that notorious school. That school still
exists for them.
It is at the same military base, in the same buildings with much of
the same curriculum and the same teachers as the old school. Excuse me
if they do not get the difference.
If you do not think this is happening, let me go back to the article
that I referred to in the earlier debate, in Monday's Boston Globe
about the military commander who orchestrated the ambush and murder of
U.S.-trained antidrug police, a U.S. trained antidrug police unit in
Colombia.
{time} 1115
That Colombian commander was trained at the School of the Americas.
So we have a U.S.-trained Army officer murdering U.S.-trained antidrug
police. It makes no sense. We can let Latin America know that we get at
our human rights by stopping some of the funding for this school which
remains to this day a powerful symbol of U.S. fixation on the military
to the detriment of military rights.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 15
minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Well, here we go. This is an old debate. It is an old amendment.
Times have changed, but for some people things do not change. The
school that is being described here, the Western Hemisphere Institute
for Security Cooperation, we call it WHINSEC, is a Department of
Defense education facility that Congress established in the year 2001.
It replaces, as the gentleman has correctly pointed out, it replaces
the School of Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Now, WHINSEC provides future civilian as well as military and law
enforcement, that is police officers, including U.S. military officers,
professional education that helps support our democratic principles in
this hemisphere. WHINSEC does that, promotes those democratic values
and the respect for human rights and the knowledge and
[[Page H3680]]
understanding of U.S. customs and tradition through the time that the
officers spend there and through the curriculum that is developed
there. The courses build strong relationships between the participating
nations, helping to ensure peace and stability throughout the
hemisphere.
This is a school that is open. Anyone can visit the campus, tour the
building where the courses are taught, sit in classes, talk to the
students and faculty. People are invited in as lecturers from outside.
A large part of the curriculum in this program is devoted to human
rights and to values. It seems to me that if what we really want in
this hemisphere is a military in different countries that shares those
values that we hold, that are dear to us, that we should be doing more,
not less, of this, more training of these people.
Has anybody ever graduated from the School of the Americas in the
past that turned out to be bad? Yes, of course. But I can tell you that
far more have turned out to be people, honorable officers, who have
upheld democracy, upheld democratic values, upheld the civil rights of
the citizens in their countries than vice versa.
So what we are doing now with WHINSEC as it is revised and
restructured, the curriculum for the program, we are doing a great deal
more to help to train officers who share our values and who have a
contact, a relationship with U.S. military officers so that when there
is a problem that occurs in these countries, somebody that is a colonel
in the Pentagon and served at WHINSEC with some colonel in a Latin
American country, they can get on the phone and discuss and describe
the problems that exist there. These kinds of relationships are
important, and they cannot be done if you do not have face-to-face
contact, if you do not have time the people spend together getting to
know each other and talking about issues and learning about values, and
that is the importance of WHINSEC.
This is a program like IMET that I believe in very strongly that
ought to be expanded, not a program that we should be talking about
cutting.
There is not an example that the gentleman I believe can cite of
anybody at WHINSEC who has committed any crimes back in their country.
It has two important missions, to teach future leaders and to foster
cooperation between our country and those of Latin America. It offers
24 discrete courses. They are from 3 to 49 weeks long, and all are
teaching U.S. military doctrine according to U.S. laws and our values.
In fact, in every single one of the courses, at least 10 percent of the
instruction is devoted directly to democracy and human rights issues.
Students come from throughout the Western Hemisphere, even from Canada,
as well as the United States; and it is the relationships that are
developed there that are so important in the future, in years that
pass, that come later when we need to have the contacts with these
countries.
So, Mr. Chairman, while I understand the concerns that the gentleman
from Massachusetts has expressed, I simply do not believe that the
evidence bears it out. I simply do not believe that what this
organization is doing is wrong. In fact, it is doing everything that we
would want an organization to do in terms of training military officers
of the future in Latin America to share the values that we have in this
United States. I urge my colleagues to defeat this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, the following is a list of individuals
that I cited in my opening remarks who are graduates of WHINSEC who
have committed gross human rights violations against civilians:
Supporters of the WHINSEC consistently argue that nothing
associated with the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA)
should be taken into consideration when debating the merits
of the WHINSEC. However, even at these early stages, the
WHINSEC is repeating the mistakes of its predecessor
organization.
Latin American nominees are supposed to be thoroughly
vetted, but pre-screening of applicants remains inadequate.
Amnesty International detailed in a 2002 report, Unmatched
Power, Unmet Principles, the many loopholes and gaps that
exist in the current screening process. Already a number of
students with previously well-known, well-documented
histories of human rights abuses have been awarded
scholarships to attend the WHINSEC, including:
Colonel Francisco del Cid Diaz (El Salvador) attended the
WHINSEC in 2003. In 1983, he commanded a unit responsible for
a very notorious massacre of indigenous peoples at the Las
Hojas Cooperative in Sonsonate, El Salvador. This was a high-
profile human rights case, included in the list of cases
congressionally mandated for investigation during that
period, and cited annually in the State Department's Human
Rights Country Reports throughout the 1980s. The United
Nations Truth Commission on El Salvador, established under
the terms of the 1992 Peace Accords, identified Col. Cid Diaz
as the commander who ordered and led the massacre and
recommended he be brought to justice. Ironically, he returned
to attend the SOA in 1988 and 1991, even after the U.S. State
Department had identified the unit most likely responsible
for the Las Hojas massacre. He then returned to attend the
WHINSEC in 2003.
Major Fillmann Urzagaste Rodriguez (Bolivia) attended the
WHINSEC in 2002. In 1997, then Captain Fillmann Urzagaste
Rodriguez was one of those responsible for the kidnapping and
torture of Waldo Albarracin, who was then the director of the
Popular Assembly for Human Rights in Bolivia; Mr. Albarracin
is now the official Human Rights Ombudsman for the Government
of Bolivia. At the time, the Bolivian Chamber of Deputies
Commission undertook an investigation of the case and
determined that it needed to be sent to the courts for
further investigation and prosecution, where unfortunately it
languished given the military impunity during that period.
This same case is also the subject of a high-profile petition
to the OAS Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In
2002, Urzagaste Rodriguez, now a major, took a 49-week
officer training course at the WHINSEC.
Captain Dario Sierro Chapeta, Lieutenant Colonel Francisco
Patino Fonseca, and Captain Luis Benavides Guancha (Colombia)
are all Colombian police officers under investigation for
personal use of counter-narcotics funds. In June 2002, the
Colombian Attorney General's office, at the request of the
U.S. government, opened a ``disciplinary'' investigation into
alleged activities of corruption by members of the Colombian
National Police, including these three officers. The first
two officers, namely Captain Sierro Chapeta and Lt. Col.
Patino Fonseca, attended the WHINSEC in 2002 (it isn't clear
whether the charges against the 3 were brought before, during
or after their acceptance to the WHINSEC, but it was well
known that their unit was under investigation). Captain
Benavides Guancha attended the WHINSEC for 18 weeks in 2003,
well after the targets he investigation were known to the
Colombian and U.S. governments.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentleman again for yielding
me time and for this amendment, once again, to restrict all funding to
the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, formerly
known as the School of the Americas. And, quite frankly, people in
Latin America are not fooled by this name change.
WHINSEC is a military training facility for Latin American security
personnel located in Fort Benning, Georgia. For decades, WHINSEC has
damaged our reputation in Latin America. In 1996, the Pentagon released
reports explaining how the United States trained these students to
participate and to lead torture, extortions, and executions in Latin
America. And now many countries in the region are struggling to recover
from decades of dictatorship, corruption, and human rights abuses.
We heard many gruesome stories this morning when I co-hosted a
Congressional Human Rights Caucus breakfast for the Argentine and the
Guatemalan forensic teams who helped solve many of these outstanding
murders. Just mentioning the School of the Americas, quite frankly, is
traumatic to the survivors and the family members of those who have
been victimized by these graduates. And the victims are not just in
Latin America.
On October 22, 2003, the Texas Brownsville Herald reported that the
notorious Gulf Drug Cartel had hired 31 former Mexican soldiers to be
part of its hired assassin force, the Zetas. The Zetas have been
implicated in murders throughout Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
According to the Mexican Minister of Defense, at least one-third of
these ex-soldiers were trained at the School of the Americas as part of
the elite Special Air Mobile Force Group.
And since there is no way for Congress to properly track or vet
WHINSEC enrollees, who knows how many more victims there are? As more
information is publicized about the action of these graduates,
enrollment has steadily declined. There are 40 percent fewer enrollees
since 2003. In March 2006, Argentina and Uruguay joined Venezuela and
Bolivia in announcing
[[Page H3681]]
that they no longer send students, military or police, for WHINSEC
training. So please do not be fooled by the other side's rhetoric on
the causes for the enrollment decline because these decisions were not
made by political activists.
Some of these decision-makers have personally suffered family losses
at the hands of military personnel who were trained at the School of
the Americas. These leaders want to try to restore human rights
protections and not taint the training of their police and military
forces.
Despite the clear move of many Latin American leaders to distance
themselves from this school, for some reason this budget continues to
be increased. So a positive step to improve relations with Latin
America would be to simply eliminate this institute.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the
McGovern-Lewis amendment to cut funds for the Western Hemisphere
Institute for Security Cooperation, WHINSEC, the successor organization
to the U.S. Army School of the Americas.
Sadly, despite a shameful history of training and support from some
of our hemisphere's worst known human rights abusers, the only thing
that has changed is the name. Funding an institution that has been
directly responsible for the training of foreign soldiers who have
perpetrated horrific atrocities against civilian populations is not the
way to accomplish our foreign policy goals or more security in the
region. Besides, enrollment has declined by 40 percent at WHINSEC, yet
our funding for it remains constant, and the cost to maintain
operations at the institute have gone up year after year.
I traveled with Mr. McGovern to Colombia in 2001. We visited the
Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado. We talked to community
leaders, the families and children. They just wanted to live in peace,
free from conflict and arms. We also met with military forces in the
area, and they denied any involvement in past atrocities.
On February 21 and 22, eight members of the San Jose de Apartado
Peace Community, including three young children, were brutally
massacred. Witnesses identified the killers as members of the Colombian
military. And peace community members saw the army's 17th Brigade in
the area at the time of the murders.
General Hector Jaime Fandino Rincon is the commander of the 17th
Brigade of the Colombian Army, the unit implicated in the massacre.
This man received training and planning in conducting what they call
``small unit tactical operations'' at the institute, at WHINSEC.
In December of 2004, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier
general. Since the massacre, the Colombian administration of Alvaro
Uribe has done little to investigate the murders. Sadly, this is not an
isolated matter. It is an unacceptable record at WHINSEC, an
unacceptable legacy, and a shameful policy. We should all support this
amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mica).
Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, once again I think the well-intended but
misinformed would like to cut the Western Hemisphere Institute for
Security Cooperation funding.
Now, what the cafe latte crowd has in mind is that these terrorists
are only misunderstood individuals, that they probably need counseling.
Maybe we should send them some social assistance to straighten them
out, but certainly we should not train military.
In fact, we found with narcoterrorists, narcoterrorists have better
training and better equipment than the native military population that
is trying to stabilize some of these countries like in Colombia. Not
only do they have better equipment and training and do more
destruction, but they also have the money because they mostly finance
their operations through narcoterrorism.
What they want to do is tie the hands of those countries that are
helping us to stabilize those countries, to bring some peace there, to
bring narcoterrorism under control. So if we want to tie hands and put
them right behind our back, cut the funds; and we will have poorly
trained individuals who do not know the difference between human rights
violations. In fact, we do insist on the very highest standards.
We have the opportunities to train these individuals and influence
them to do the right thing and to conduct military exercises that are
honest and open and well directed.
Again, these folks are very well intended, but I think if we just
check the record of those who are trained by United States forces, you
will see they are far better in executing their responsibilities. Tough
enforcement does work. If you want to use examples, Mayor Giuliani down
to Officer Thompson who is out here, you won't jaywalk at the corner of
C street because we have tough enforcement with well-trained
individuals.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, let me point out to the gentleman from
Florida, we are not against the training of Latin American soldiers. We
train over 20,000 Latin American soldiers each year, but only a
fraction of them, fewer than 600, are actually trained at the School of
the Americas. We want to shut the School of the Americas down because
we believe it is anathema to America's commitments and America's human
rights.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Kucinich).
{time} 1130
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment to
prohibit funding for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security
Cooperation, otherwise known as the School of the Americas.
This combat-training facility for security personnel in Latin America
is notorious for graduating human rights offenders. In its 59 years of
existence, the School of the Americas has trained over 60,000 Latin
American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training,
commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and
interrogation tactics. These graduates have consistently targeted
educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders, and
others who work for the rights of the poor. Hundreds of thousands of
Latin Americans have been victims of School of the Americas graduates.
For example, on February 21-22, 2005, eight members of the San Jose
de Apartado Peace Community in Uraba, Colombia, were brutally
massacred. Witnesses identified the killers as members of the Colombian
military's 17th Brigade, commanded by a School of the Americas
graduate.
In April of 2002, two School of the Americas graduates helped lead a
failed coup in Venezuela against democratically elected President Hugo
Chavez.
In 1980, two of the three killers of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El
Salvador were graduates of the School of the Americas. Also in 1980, 10
of the 12 officers responsible for the murder of 900 civilians in the
Salvadoran village, El Mozote, were School of the Americas graduates.
The abuses by School of the Americas graduates have local resonance
with me as well. In Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, our Clevelanders Sisters
Dorothy Hazel and Jean Donovan, along with two other churchwomen from
the United States, Sister Maura Clarke and Sister Ita Forde, were raped
and murdered by members of the armed forces of El Salvador. Three of
the five officers involved were graduates of the School of the
Americas.
In the words of former Panamanian President Jorge Illueca, the School
of the Americas is the ``biggest base for destabilization in Latin
Americas.'' It is time to close it.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) where the school at Fort Benning
is located.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding.
WHINSEC is a Department of Defense institute that instructs current
and future civilian, military and law enforcement leaders from Nations
in the Western Hemisphere.
It was created in 2001 to replace the School of the Americas. The
School of the Americas, as a Cold War legacy program, was not meeting
the needs
[[Page H3682]]
and standards required to operate in the world's new security
environment.
Its goals, which were set by Congress, explicitly include
strengthening democracy, instilling a respect for the rule of law, and
honoring human rights.
WHINSEC's curriculum, and I have been there, I am on the board of
visitors, WHINSEC's curriculum includes instruction in leadership
development, peace support, counterdrug operations, disaster
preparedness and relief planning.
As mandated by Congress, WHINSEC formulated and implemented a human
rights training program that, Mr. Chairman, is among the best offered
by military educational institutions in this hemisphere. All students
and instructors, without exception, receive comprehensive human rights
instruction and training.
So I strongly disagree with this impression created by the School of
the Americas/WHINSEC critics that somehow all or most of the WHINSEC
graduates are brutal and murderous thugs. In fact, more than 61,000
officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers have graduated from or
attended courses at these U.S. Army schools. They have helped foster a
spirit of cooperation and interoperability among militaries throughout
Central and South Americas.
The vast majority, Mr. Chairman, of graduates have contributed
positively to the region's transition to democracy, while helping to
avoid interstate conflict in the hemisphere. While credible accusations
of human rights abuses have been leveled against some graduates, most
have served their Nation with honor and distinction.
In the interest of full disclosure, Mr. Chairman, I am a Catholic and
I was educated by the Jesuits, and I understand the opposition that is
coming from that direction of some abuses and torture, yes, that
occurred 30 years ago, but this is a classic example, this amendment,
of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It would be equivalent to
saying that we should shut down Fort Benning because of the My Lai
massacre, and Lieutenant Calley that occurred in the Vietnam War.
It just does not make sense, and I am totally opposed to my good
friend Mr. McGovern's amendment, and I respectfully ask my colleagues
to vote ``no.''
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, let me tell my good friend from Georgia, maybe he did
not hear my opening speech, but I cited a case that happened 2 weeks
ago where a graduate of the School of the Americas was involved in
killing counternarcotics police in Colombia.
The other thing is, I have heard from the gentleman from Georgia and
the gentleman from Arizona that the vast majority of graduates from
this school go on to serve their countries honorably. How do we know?
There is no follow-up done by this school and the Department of
Defense. The only reason we know about the notorious cases is because
of the hard work that goes on by human rights organizations on the
ground and people in our own State Department. That is how we know, but
there is no follow-up. There is no basis to say that the majority go on
to serve their countries honorably. We do not know that.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Meehan).
Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the
amendment offered by my friend from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
Not long into my first term in Congress back in 1993, an article was
published in Newsweek titled, ``Running a School for Dictators,'' about
the School of the Americas. The School of the Americas was supposed to
instill democratic values in foreign military officers, and it was
exposed as being a breeding ground for murderers, thieves and common
thugs.
I said at the time that ``if the School of the Americas held an
alumni reunion association meeting, it would bring together some of the
most unsavory thugs in the Western Hemisphere.'' Thankfully, the School
of the Americas was closed in 1999, but soon after WHINSEC opened in
the same building, with much of the same faculty that had been part of
the School of the Americas.
WHINSEC's record has been little better than the School of the
Americas. Many of its graduates have returned to their home countries
to repress, abuse and kill fellow citizens.
There can be no doubt that our own recent record on human rights
leaves something to be desired. We have operated secret prisons,
propped up corrupt regimes, and overlooked human rights abuses in
others. The administration has done little to hide its contempt for
international convictions on human rights, notably the Geneva
Convention and the protections that it contains for enemy combatants.
Our own recent record has been bad enough, but we certainly do not
need to be exporting techniques overseas by teaching them at WHINSEC.
Our credibility in the world is at its lowest point in memory. The road
back to respectability will be long and slow. Cutting funding to
WHINSEC is a small step in the right direction.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) has 4\1/2\
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) has
\1/2\ minute remaining.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
I rise in support of this amendment. I am a cosponsor of a bill
sponsored by the gentleman from Massachusetts that would accomplish a
similar goal, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the issue of
WHINSEC on the floor today.
What we are witnessing with regard to WHINSEC is a classic case of
history repeating itself. For years, many Members of Congress and
activists, including Maryknoll nuns based in my congressional district,
fought to shut down the notorious School of the Americas. The school's
very existence was undermining U.S. efforts to promote civilian control
of the military and respect for human rights in Latin America. So the
army closed the SOA and reopened it a few weeks later with a new name.
To quote William Shakespeare, ``A rose by any other name would still
smell as sweet.'' Indeed, WHINSEC is just another name for the School
of the Americas, and neither of them passes the smell test. The same
moral issues still plague the institution, and the U.S. military still
refuses to take common-sense steps to fix the problem.
As my colleague from Massachusetts has pointed out, the vetting
process for students at WHINSEC is still broken, resulting in known
human rights abusers attending the school. DOD still refuses to monitor
the careers of WHINSEC graduates, preferring to be kept in the dark
about how U.S. military education is applied in Latin American
countries. And past questions about the School of the Americas have
still not been answered, giving us no basis on which to build a better,
more credible and more effective program at WHINSEC.
I understand that the majority of WHINSEC's funding does not come
from this bill, but I believe the amendment before us today provides an
excellent opportunity to send the message that we still cannot stomach
the continued reckless use of our military training dollars.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time.
Mr. Chairman, if we want to let Latin America know that we get it on
human rights, then let us shut down this notorious school. If we
genuinely want to show Latin America that our priorities are not the
military, but development and democracy, then let us establish a
western hemisphere institute for judicial reform, for civil
engineering, for local governance, for rural development, for human
rights.
Let us show Latin America we get it on human rights, and by closing
down this school, we also send a powerful signal to the rest of the
world that human rights remains our highest priority.
I urge my colleague to support the McGovern-Lewis amendment to
prohibit funds in this bill for WHINSEC.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time. Let me
just close. I think we have had a thorough debate on this.
As I said, this is an issue that we have debated over and over again,
and I think time and time again it has been shown that this program of
training military and police officers in Latin
[[Page H3683]]
America is one that is good, good for democracy, good for human rights,
good for U.S. relationships with these countries in Latin America and
Central America.
This is a program that is good for the United States. It is a program
that is good for the countries that are involved. This is a program
that, if anything, ought to be expanded. We should be doing more of
this, more transfer of values from the United States to the people of
these countries of the law enforcement and military of these countries
is what we ought to want to be doing.
Bad things can happen either way. In 1992, Hugo Chavez conducted, he
was not graduate of this, conducted a coup against the democratically-
elected government in Venezuela. Are we to conclude from that, that if
only he had gone to the School of the Americas, that everything would
have been well? Probably not, but by the same token, one can hardly
conclude that because somebody has gone to the School of the Americas
and still ends up doing something that is bad, that overall it is bad
for the United States or for their country or for the human rights or
the citizens of that country because it is not.
It is a good program. It is a program that spreads democracy in the
Western hemisphere. It is the kind of program we should be supporting,
not the kind of program that we should be opposing, and I hope that my
colleagues will soundly defeat this amendment as they have done in the
past.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the McGovern-
Lewis Amendment that would eliminate funding to the Western Hemisphere
Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), the successor institution
to the School of Americas (SOA). I believe U.S. training of
international military and police forces can further U.S. national
security interest particularly in the field of civilian control of the
military and promoting human rights. But WHINSEC has gone about
training and educating Latin American military in exactly the wrong
way.
The egregious human rights abusive by WHINSEC graduates in the 1980s
and 1990s compelled the Defense Department to revise the curriculum and
change the name of the school. But WHINSEC continues to fail the grade
for adherence to human rights and the rule of law by its students. I
support the McGovern amendment to send a message to our U.S. military
leadership that Americans demand that their tax dollars be spent to
uphold accepted norms of human rights behavior, much like Americans
rejected U.S. torture practices abroad.
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in
opposition to the amendment offered by my good friend from
Massachusetts.
I understand the concerns that prompted this amendment.
Nevertheless, I believe that prohibiting funds to WHINSEC would be
wrong-headed and shortsighted.
As a member of the WHINSEC Board of Visitors, I've had the
opportunity to see firsthand the training that takes place there.
Respect for human rights is a fundamental component of the curriculum,
and it is a top priority for the Commandant and the faculty.
WHINSEC has made significant and sustained efforts over the last
several years to reach out to human rights groups--to show them the
human rights training that is taking place, and to have them take an
active role in that training through lectures, discussions, and other
interactions with the students. Some groups choose to participate,
others do not. But WHINSEC is making a serious effort to include them.
I've heard critics of WHINSEC say that ``Latin America is walking
away'' from the Institute, but from what I've seen, nothing could be
further from the truth. Enrollment is down only because many countries
lack the funding to send their students. Why is that? Because we
prohibit IMET funding for countries who haven't signed Article 98
agreements. That's an important issue--something we've been working on
in the House Armed Services Committee--but it has nothing to do with
other countries' interest or willingness to send students to WHINSEC.
On the Armed Services Committee, we've worked very hard over the
years to promote regional security cooperation and military-to-military
relationships with our allies around the world.
Nowhere is this effort more important than in Latin America. We must
maintain strong ties with our partners in the region, or else we will
wake up to find that our competitors--or even our enemies--have taken
our place.
We cannot afford to let those relationships falter. And WHINSEC is a
vital tool for strengthening security cooperation in the region.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts will be
postponed.
Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 3 offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of
Florida:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on international narcotics control and law enforcement
assistance for mexico
Sec. 5xx. Of the funds appropriated in this Act under the
heading ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', not more than $39,000,000 may be available for
assistance for Mexico.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) and a Member opposed
each will control 5 minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to
the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will control the time in opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak about this amendment
on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill before us.
Let me remind my colleagues that the Mexican government publishes
manuals giving advice to migrants on how to illegally enter and live in
the United States without being detected. They are encouraging breaking
our laws. Moreover, recently, if we recall, the Mexican government
actually threatened to sue the United States if our government acts to
strengthen and defend our southern border.
Imagine how surprised I was when the committee added another $1
million increase that Mexico will ostensibly use to strengthen its
northern border.
{time} 1145
This increase is over the budget request in the International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement section. My amendment will
actually leave the $39 million included in the budget request for
narcotics control and law enforcement untouched. Instead, my amendment
eliminates that $1 million that the committee recommended to be used to
help Mexico's northern border infrastructure.
Let's face it, they are not interested in defending and protecting
their northern border, which is our southern border. In past years,
Mexico actually spent the money appropriated for narcotics control and
law enforcement in even a questionable manner. However, sending extra
money to the Mexican Government to strengthen their borders is, I
believe, as insane as it is unconscionable.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I do rise in opposition to the amendment
offered by the gentlewoman. She proposes, as she said, to reduce the
funding to Mexico for the International Narcotics Control Law
Enforcement account that we call INCLE, from $40 million to $39
million. It is only a $1 million reduction, but it is symbolic, and I
understand that; but as a symbol I think it runs counter to what we
have been asking the Mexican Government to do, and that is to help us
seal the border with regard to drug trafficking coming across the
border.
I have the privilege of chairing the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary
Group,
[[Page H3684]]
and we met this year in Mexico, legislators, Members of Congress from
both the United States and Mexico meeting there. We were struck, I
think every member of the U.S. delegation was struck, by the degree of
cooperation that we are seeing now from Mexico, particularly the
Mexican policymakers, the congress, in struggling against the drug
trafficking, and, actually, they have been very good on that for
several years; but now the efforts they are making to help try and seal
the border, it is certainly the most cooperation that we have seen in
the last 20 years.
In fact, the Mexican congress has adopted unanimously a joint
resolution expressing their commitment to helping resolve and
expressing their acknowledgment that they have a responsibility for
helping to control the problems of migration, illegal migration coming
into the United States.
The bill that we brought before you is a very modest increase, the $1
million increase, over the previous year to Mexico to help to try and
control the border. The majority of this goes to sustain border and
port security by improving the ports of entry, improving the
inspections at the ports of entry, more secure traffic laws, mobile
interdiction teams, and national crime databases. These are all good
things. These are the kinds of things we should want to support in
criminal justice and institution-building in Mexico, and including the
Office of the Attorney General and anticorruption programs. So I think
it is a good program, and I think it is one that deserves to have
support.
Let me be clear about one fact: the funds in this account are used by
Mexico to help stop narcotics from entering the United States. Cutting
funding in this area doesn't really hurt Mexico, because it isn't
anything that has to do with their own law enforcement per se. It hurts
our efforts to keep drugs off our streets and out of our schools.
I think this amendment won't have a huge effect, but as a symbol I
think it is the wrong kind of symbol that we should be sending to
Mexico, and I do oppose the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, a week ago today I
was actually on the Mexican border. I was in Texas, in El Paso. The
sheriffs along the border, the ones on our side, are the ones doing the
interdiction of the drugs. This amount, while it is $1 million, and I
guess in Washington everybody says it is only a million, a million
here, a million there starts to add up, but I would certainly encourage
support for this amendment.
If we are going to spend that extra million dollars, I would rather
give it to the sheriffs at the border patrol on our side of the border,
where I know the money is well spent, and so I ask for the support of
my colleagues for this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I would just say again I think this is an
ill-advised amendment, but, with that, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Weiner
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Weiner:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
prohibition against direct funding for saudi arabia
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be obligated or expended to finance any assistance to Saudi
Arabia.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) and a Member opposed each will
control 10 minutes.
Does the gentleman from Arizona seek to control the time in
opposition?
Mr. KOLBE. I do, Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will be recognized.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise to offer the Weiner-Burton-Crowley-Ferguson-Berkley
amendment to prohibit all aid in this bill from going to the Saudi
Arabians.
You might be asking a couple of questions. First, you might be asking
why we would be offering any aid at all to the wealthiest nation on
Earth; why we would be offering any aid at all to a nation that exports
Wahabism, exports terrorism, has done nothing to help us in Iraq, and
has, frankly, not been constructive. And on top of all that, why are we
offering it when consistently, every single year, this House says we
are not going to support it.
Well, we are back here again because we here in this House did not
heed the admonition of President Bush after September 11 when he said,
you know, nowadays, we have to not look at what nations say, we have to
start looking at what they actually do. And the fact is that despite
the great rhetoric of the people of Saudi Arabia and their government,
they continue to be a force of hate in the world and continue to be a
force that exports terrorism in the world.
Let me give you an example, just since we passed this bill last time.
This is a quotation from the Saudi Ambassador from an ad in the New
Republic on the back cover of September 12, 2005. It says:
``Modernizing our school curricula to better prepare our children for
the challenges of tomorrow, Saudi Arabia has vowed to fight evil with
justice and challenge extremism with moderation and tolerance.'' That
is what they say.
I am holding in my hand the government-sponsored textbook of the
people of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Chairman. I am holding a book that is in
classrooms today. Let me tell you some of the things they are teaching
in the eighth grade from their textbooks today: ``The apes are Jews,
the keepers of the Sabbath, while the swine are the Christian infidels
of the communion of Jesus.''
That is what this textbook says the children in the eighth grade in
Saudi Arabia are being taught today. And if we are to pass this bill as
is, we are going to pass funding for Saudi Arabia from the U.S.
taxpayers.
Let me show you what they are teaching in the ninth grade. This is
the Saudi Ministry. This is the textbook that is issued by the
government of Saudi Arabia: ``The hour of judgment will not come until
the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them.'' This is in a part of the
world where we in this House, we in this country are trying to seek
moderation and trying to seek tolerance. This is what they are teaching
this year.
You know, I could read some other quotes, and among the quotes I can
read are yours, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Chairman, who has done a terrific job
with this bill by and large and have served this House with great
distinction. Every single year we say, well, the reason we are putting
money in this bill is the Saudis are getting better.
Sure, 15 of the 19 homicide bombers on my city were Saudis; sure, 70
percent of the most wanted international terrorists are Saudis; sure,
according to the State Department, 60 percent of all the funding
exported is coming from the Saudis. But, still, they are getting
better. They are getting better.
Mr. Chairman, this is what they are saying today.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I do rise in strong opposition to this
amendment, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
In this bill there is a total of $420,000 for Saudi Arabia. Now, just
so we understand where these accounts are, the $20,000 we have heard
about before, last year that is what we were arguing about, $20,000 in
this entire bill when this amendment came up. And why do we have that
in there? That is for providing a classroom space for the IMET, the
International Military Education Training program, for IMET students.
Why do we have to provide one space? Because by giving them a grant
for one space, they are then eligible to buy seats in the classes that
they pay for at the somewhat reduced rate. So that is just simply a
kind of a dues that are required in order to have them eligible for
this program.
We have talked about IMET before. Again, it is similar to what we
were just talking about a moment ago with regard to the WHINSEC program
in Latin America. If we want to have American values of democracy and
civil rights and justice transmitted to
[[Page H3685]]
these countries, to these people, then we need to have that kind of
program.
Now, the other $400,000 is new this year. Not a heck of a lot of
money, but it is for nonproliferation, antiterrorism, and demining
programs. This pays for American experts, bomb detection experts,
criminal investigation experts to go and help train antiterrorism
police in Saudi Arabia.
For heaven sakes, is this not something we want to do? Do we not want
to train the Saudis to help the Saudis become better at detecting
antiterrorism, at detecting terrorist attacks? Do we not want to help
them try to deter those kinds of attacks against us and against their
own society?
This is about the war on terror. And this amendment is about saying,
no, we don't want Saudi Arabia involved in the war on terror; we don't
believe they should be on our side in the war on terror, because we
want to cut out the money that allows us to help the little bit that we
have that allows us to help train those people.
So I understand the sentiment that is behind this. It is an easy kind
of sentiment to scratch the surface and get to this kind of emotion,
but it is not the right thing to do. It is clearly not the right thing
to do. If we desire that the people of Saudi Arabia embrace a more
Western tolerance and a value system, how do we expect them to learn to
do that? If we want them to be a better partner in the war on terror,
how do we expect them to do that if we are not willing to help train
them?
This is absolutely the wrong signal for us to send, and I oppose this
amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to one of the sponsors of
this amendment, Mr. Burton.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. First of all, the Saudis don't need our money.
They are one of the biggest oil producers in the world. And so why are
we giving them $400,000 or $500,000 or a million, or whatever it
happens to be?
I understand this is symbolic, but the fact of the matter is we want
to send a message today to the Saudis. And the message is that we don't
want them supporting Wahabism, which teaches hatred and teaches people
to want to hate to the degree they would kill Christians and Jews and
anybody that doesn't agree with them.
They are not only giving money to teach Wahabism in Saudi Arabia, but
they are doing it in countries around the world. They are doing it in
Canada, where 17 people were just captured the other day from a mosque
up there that was teaching Wahabism and who were going to behead the
Prime Minister of Canada.
Now, they should be very careful about where they are spending their
money. And the way to let them know that is not to give them any of our
money, which they don't need anyhow. They are also giving money to
terrorist organizations like Hamas, and they are giving money to the
families of people who blow themselves up, killing innocent women and
children.
The Saudis should be responsible in using their money and teaching
brotherly love and human rights and dignity of man instead of teaching
Wahabism, which teaches just the opposite, hatred, murder, killing of
people who don't agree with them and trying to spread in a prolific way
the hatred of Wahabism.
I understand the concern of my colleague, but this is a signal that
we are sending today. It is not going to amount to very much money, but
it is a signal that needs to be sent to the Saudis that the world, not
just the United States but the world, does not want organizations
teaching hatred of Christians and Jews and anybody that doesn't agree
with them. And that is being taught, as my colleague Mr. Weiner just
pointed out very vividly on the floor.
In their textbooks, in their teaching they are teaching hatred, and
that is not a thing we should be supporting in any way. And although
this isn't much money, it is a message that should be sent, and I agree
very strongly and hope everybody supports this amendment, as they did
last year.
{time} 1200
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume to
respond very briefly to what the gentleman just said. I think what he
just said demonstrates what this issue is all about: Are we talking
about something that scratches the surface of emotions, or are we
talking about something that is real.
The money is not symbolic. It is real. The $20,000 allows them to buy
a seat at the IMET table. It allows them to send their students to the
United States to be trained in western values, in democracy and
justice.
The $400,000 is to pay for American experts to go over and train them
in bomb detections and in criminal investigations. Is the gentleman
saying we do not want them to be trained, we do not want them to
participate? What does this have to do with Wahabism? Nothing. This has
to do with whether or not they are going to be a partner in the war on
terror.
But yes, you can reach beyond that to the emotion and you can do the
wrong thing, which this amendment would do, which is to cut the money
which enables them to participate in a significant way in the war on
terror.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
But, Mr. Chairman, that is not what they are traveling around the
world to do. They are traveling around the world, in the words of our
own Department of Treasury, with the World Association of Muslim Youth.
What are they doing? They are exporting Wahabism. They are setting up
madrasahs all around the world. They are exploiting the kind of
teaching that you and I do not agree with them, and we are giving them
in this bill a 2,000 percent increase from what they got last year when
this House said we had had enough.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Ferguson).
Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from New
York for yielding me this time and his leadership on this issue.
I also want to thank and recognize the chairman of the subcommittee
for his years of distinguished work in this House. I am a supporter of
the bill on the floor today, but I am also deeply disappointed that it
provides money for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Our own government continues to chronicle Saudi Arabia's continuing
human rights abuses, their lack of religious freedom, and lack of
rights for women. In 2005, the Department of State Report on Human
Rights Practices called Saudi Arabia's human rights record ``poor
overall with continuing serious problems.'' Reported human rights
violations include beatings, denial of fair trials, political
prisoners, restrictions on civil liberties and discrimination against
women, religions, and other minorities.
In December 2005, Saudi Arabia officially became a member of the
World Trade Organization, despite the significant objections of a
number of us here in this body. A key condition of their membership was
that they would not longer participate in the Arab boycott of Israel,
which is one of our key allies in the Middle East. But there are still
credible reports that this condition even today has not been met.
The fact that their continued reassurances to our own diplomats prove
to be all talk and no action is an affront to the United States and
every other country in the WTO.
Saudi Arabia continues to be one of the biggest financial supporters
of the Hamas-led Palestinian government, despite appeals by the United
States to cut funding to this terrorist organization. How can the House
of Representatives continue to send American taxpayer dollars to a
country which supports a government led by a terrorist organization?
Last year, this House overwhelmingly passed this amendment in this
same appropriations bill. Things have not changed for the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. We cannot continue to reward a country that has a poor
human rights record, terrorist connections, and has continued to break
promises made to the United States and the international community. We
need to continue to hold them accountable for their actions. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, if we were sending, millions of dollars to
support economic development in
[[Page H3686]]
Saudi Arabia, as the gentleman from Indiana pointed out, they are a
rich country, so as you pointed out, they are doing some bad things, I
would agree with them. If we were sending millions of dollars for
various projects in Saudi Arabia, I would agree with them.
But we are talking about training a police officer to have the tools
to detect a terrorist attack. We are talking about fighting terrorism.
This is so narrow and so focused. It is on counterterrorism, and that
surely is what we want the Saudis to do, to have the skills to detect a
terrorist attack in advance, to head it off, to investigate terrorist
attacks and to be able to prosecute those people. Surely that is what
we want to do.
We do not agree with the policies of Saudi Arabia. I do not agree
with them, but I certainly want their police officers, I want their
detectives to have the kinds of skills they need to go after
terrorists, and that is what this amendment is about. This tiny amount
of money is about that. We ought not to be taking this kind of step. It
is more than symbolic. It has to do with very specific kinds of
training that combats terrorism.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strike the last word, and I yield
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for striking the
last word and yielding me this time.
I have tremendous respect for my colleague, Mr. Kolbe, and his
efforts, but I do rise in support of this amendment.
It's sad we are here today debating this, and I was tempted, quite
frankly, to submit once again my testimony from last year because
things have not changed in this year that has gone by. I have not seen
a discernible change in the attitude of the Saudis towards their
education system. They say there are changes made, but in reading The
Washington Post and other publications, and as Mr. Weiner has
demonstrated on the floor today, in reality, there has been no
significant change.
There is still the teaching of the next generation of Saudis hatred
towards Jews and towards Christians. That needs to change. You cannot
just say you are our ally, and all is well; you have to show by deeds
and actions that you are as well. You cannot say you are our ally and
at the same time export that hatred to other countries like Bangladesh
and Pakistan and Indonesia where unrest is fomenting towards the United
States. You cannot be our ally and not show by deeds.
I do not think the amount of money that we are striking from this
bill will make a difference to the Saudis in terms of their training of
anti-terrorism. It is in their interest to fight the war on terror. It
is in their interest to combat terrorism in their own country. But it
is also in their interest, I believe, if they want a strong
relationship with this country is to own up to what has been
responsible for much of the terrorism that has been exported around the
world: It is coming from Saudi Arabia.
Much of the money that has being exported around the world to
madrasahs that are teaching fundamentalism is coming from Saudi Arabia.
You can't have your cake and eat it, too. That is the message we are
sending today. That is why I, once again, stand in strong support of
the Weiner amendment, and I hope my colleagues send a strong message
symbolically to Saudi Arabia that enough is enough. If you are on our
side, then act like you are and prove it to us.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the amendment offered
by my friend from New York, Mr. Weiner.
It's a sad state of affairs that we have to have this debate every
year.
I felt the urge to use the same exact statement I made last year
about all of the failings of Saudi Arabia because nothing has changed.
How long is the Administration going to ignore the Saudi support of
terrorism?
The Saudis claim to be our allies, but at the same time they offer
assistance in our war on terrorism, their people fund the terrorists
who desire to attack us.
Nineteen of the 22 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi.
Saudi blood money threatens those who support freedom and democracy.
They continue to export their repressive brand of Islam around the
world, creating a new group of angry young men and women.
We must take a stand in this House and let the Saudis know that their
time of extremism is over because we will not stand for it anymore.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from New York has 2\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. WEINER. I have no further speakers, so I will use this time to
wrap up.
The chairman of the subcommittee deserves an enormous amount of
credit for through the years crafting excellent bills that have unified
this House. Three hundred of us said last year, enough is enough, we
are not going to provide aid to Saudi Arabia.
The fact that we still have it back this year makes you wonder why it
is. But he posits the wrong question. He says what is so bad about
having a 2,000 percent increase in the amount of funds we are going to
provide Saudi Arabia? My colleagues, we should be asking a different
question when we provide foreign aid. The question should be: Why
should we? Why should we provide aid to a country that has
systematically exported terrorism?
When Osama bin Laden left Saudi Arabia for the caves of Afghanistan,
he did so with what some people think was close to $1 billion of cash
in his pocket, Saudi blood money.
When Wahabism is spread worldwide, this virulent form of Islamic
teaching that is outside anyone's realm of understanding about why you
would teach young people to hate, as I showed from this textbook from
this year, the Saudi government is doing that.
When we look at the numbers of Saudi citizens that are being exported
around the world and committing acts of terror, when we look at the
fact that the Saudis said again and again we are going to shut down
these bank accounts that fund terrorism, and again and again it has
been proven that they haven't done it, the question should be: Why are
we providing any aid to them? Never mind a 2,000 percent increase from
last year, why provide any aid?
And this legislation is very simple. It says let us have a good
foreign aid bill, but not a 2,000 percent increase to the Saudis when
they have lied to us. They said they were going to close down ``Account
98'' used to fund terrorism. As of today, it is open.
They said they were going to change their teachings to make them more
tolerant. As of today, they have not.
They said they were going to stop exporting Wahabism. As of today,
the World Association of Muslim Youth is still being funded by them and
exporting the worst type of terrorism.
My colleagues, I urge you to support the Weiner-Burton-Crowley-
Ferguson-Berkley amendment. Let's make this a good foreign aid bill
that doesn't include foreign aid to people who have lied to us and
exported terrorism. Let's not provide a 2,000 percent increase in aid
to the Saudis. I urge a ``yes'' vote.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time and
just say very quickly that a 2,000 percent increase is a bogus
argument. There was $20,000 last year. There is $420,000 this year
because we have $400,000 for terrorist training specifically to pay for
the salaries of American experts who go over there to train their
police. It is not the percentage amount that we are talking about here.
It is, should we be doing this kind of work at all; and the answer, I
think, if you believe we should be fighting the war on terror and that
we should be fighting it where we can find it, wherever we can find
police forces that need to be trained, we ought to be doing it with the
Saudis, and that is all this is about. I urge defeat of the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York will be
postponed.
[[Page H3687]]
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. King of Iowa
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. King of Iowa:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on economic support fund assistance for mexico
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act
under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' may be used to
provide assistance for Mexico.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. I rise to claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona will control the time in
opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa for 5 minutes.
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
The amendment that I offer today is an amendment that supports the
continuing philosophy of the Nethercutt amendment of 2004 that removes
funds that go to the economic support fund in Mexico if they do not
comply with an Article 98 order, which says that they would not send an
American citizen to the International Criminal Court.
Mexico is slated to cash in big on foreign aid contained in H.R.
5522. The House report would allocate $40 million in assistance to
Mexico while the President's fiscal year 2007 budget request estimates
that they will receive $62.9 million in various forms of aid through
this bill.
My amendment would prohibit sending economic support funds to Mexico,
and that is about $9 million. And despite spending over $31 million in
economic support funds since 2004, the Mexican government has not show
any progress towards real reform.
Mexico is rife with corruption. Their politicians can steal, bribe,
and commit fraud and avoid jail time since crimes are not always
treated seriously, especially these crimes of fraud, regardless of the
amount of money stolen. A case in point would be $90 million that was
diverted, and that is U.S. dollars, diverted from PEMEX, which is
Mexico's nationally-owned oil company, to illegally finance the 2000
presidential campaign by the PRI. And yet even though they have been
fined, they can pay their payments in installments, and there has been
no jail time. This is indicative with what we are faced with down
there. And with all of the money that has gone in under this fund, I
cannot measure that there has been any kind of significant results.
Now they are prohibited from advancing these funds, even though they
have been appropriated, unless Mexico agrees under an Article 98
agreement that even though they have joined the International Criminal
Court, they would not send a United States citizen to that court.
Mexico refuses to do so; and, in fact, a statement in February from a
spokesman for President Fox said that the United States is within its
rights in suspending military aid, but this would not persuade Mexico
to change its stance on, as he said, full adhesion to the ICC at
whatever cost.
Mr. Chairman, this is one of those costs. And if they are determined
to send American citizens, maybe American military, maybe CIA, maybe
FBI, maybe American soldiers or American Marines to the International
Criminal Court as our southern border, they have missed the point, Mr.
Chairman, in all of this, and I intend to make that point with this
amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner) who represents a border State and a border
district.
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Chairman, I do represent the total California-Mexico
border.
Mr. Kolbe, I want to thank you for your leadership during your time
in Congress on many of these issues. You have chaired with distinction
the Interparliamentary with Mexico, as was noted earlier.
{time} 1215
You have been a spokesman for rationality in dealing with Mexican
issues. We are going to miss that voice. As you can see, the
irrationality seems to be taking hold. So I am sorry you are going to
go, and we are going to miss your leadership on this. So thank you
again.
Mr. Chairman, these amendments which aim at taking money from Mexico
are going to do the exact opposite as what the makers of the motion
have in mind.
We have a long border with Mexico. It is a friendly nation. We have a
real problem with immigration. How do we solve that problem, by
punishing them? I don't know if that helps any. These monies that are
the subject of this amendment, the Economic Support Fund, are to
promote economic and political stability, to strengthen judicial
systems, increase transparency in government, help create jobs. How is
reform going to take place unless we are engaging with them, unless we
are seen as an ally? And as we say, we are friendly with them.
And I will tell Mr. King, my friend, who I often mix up with Mr.
Tancredo in more ways than one, that the immigration issue will be
compounded by these efforts to stop assistance to Mexico. We know that
people come here for jobs. If there were jobs in Mexico, they would not
come here. They don't want to leave their country. They are just trying
to find a way for their families to have a future. We need to do
everything we can to help Mexico create jobs. And that is the quickest,
most cost-effective, cheapest way to deal with the illegal immigration
problem. This is not going to help create jobs. This will hurt and hurt
your efforts to stop illegal immigration. Let's vote down this
amendment.
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Chairman, I yield a minute to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Culberson).
Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, the government of Mexico has not been
friendly to the United States, and the Republican majority in this
House is representing the people of America who are flat fed up with
the Mexican Government's refusal to control the flow of criminals and
illegal aliens to the United States. Let's talk about facts. Mr. Filner
is ignoring the fact, and the Democrats are ignoring the fact the
Mexican Government is permitting armed training camps for
narcoterrorists in northern Mexico. This is a photograph of a
Guatemalan Kaibiles militia member training. There is a camp run by the
Kaibiles, by the Zetas and just outside of Matamoros, Mexico, across
the river from Texas. The weapons these individuals are using, and we
will talk more about this in the leadership hour at the end of the day,
here is just a sample of some of the weapons these narcoterrorists are
using on the border, 40 millimeter grenade launchers. There is open
warfare in the Nuevo Laredo areas. These are some photographs of some
of the results of some of the gun fights that are taking place there.
There are even armed Mexican militia spotters on hill tops in Arizona
on U.S. soil who are protecting the smuggling routes.
Mexico has not been acting like a friend. They have encouraged
illegal immigration to this country. They have encouraged and turned a
blind eye to the corruption and the criminals pouring across our
border, and it is time the House cut off money to Mexico to send the
message we are sick and tired of them not protecting our border and
discouraging illegal immigration.
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First I would state that the information that has been provided here
by the gentleman from Texas is a chilling thing to see. And if this
Chamber had the ability to look at these pictures and understand the
topography and know what is going on in the north side of our border
and that is with the full knowledge of the government of Mexico and
understand also that the corruption is replete on the other side of the
border and in an even more significant way.
These people have an unlimited amount of funds. There are $60 billion
worth of illegal drugs that come into the United States across our
southern
[[Page H3688]]
border every single year, eleven million illegal people every day
coming across that border. And this fund, this is a $9 million fund
that is supposed to be teaching freedom and democracy and proper forms
of government. We don't have an ounce of evidence that demonstrates
that they have moved anything in that direction. In fact, I suspect
that it has gone the other way. The American people know this. People
that live on the border know this. Members of Congress who represent
these pictures that you have seen here ought to know this, and they
ought to support my amendment. This amendment simply supports the
Nethercutt amendment which has been renewed each year since it has been
brought before this Congress. But there is no reason for us to
appropriate $9 million when the Mexican Government has said that they
are not going to comply or agree with an article 98 agreement, which
again, is the agreement that would state that they would not send an
American to the International Criminal Court. In fact, the
representative of President Vicente Fox has said the exact opposite,
that they are going to comply with their entire agreement with the
International Criminal Court and they would not enter an article 98
agreement. Therefore, we must support this amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, let me just say once again I think this
would be a very wrong-headed amendment, the wrong thing for us to do.
This is not symbolic. This cuts all the ESF funds that we provide to
the country of Mexico, which is, relative to most of our programs
around the world, very, very small because Mexico is a country that is
beyond the least developed; it is now rapidly developing.
The money that we provide here is important money. It is money that
helps promote democracy. It is money that helps promote such things as
property rights. It is money that helps promote such things as
microfinance. It is the kinds of things that we do that help provide
economic livelihood for the people in Mexico. This is about job
creation. It is about allowing people to live and work in Mexico and
not have to come to the United States. If you want less migration from
Mexico to the United States, we have got to give them a hand, a hand up
to prevent them from having to come to the United States because they
have no way of taking care of their families. So this would be the
wrong thing for us to do in terms of cutting the economic support funds
for Mexico.
It is also the wrong thing to do to a neighbor with whom we have a
very good relationship. Do we have problems? Of course we have
problems. Are there times when we disagree? Of course we disagree.
Would we like to have more help on some of the migration problems and
the drug interdiction problems? Yes, we want more help. But I remember,
I have been here in this Congress for 22 years, and I remember going to
the inter-American, the U.S.-Mexico parliamentary meetings 22 years ago
when we were told by our State Department, our law enforcement
officials, there was no cooperation with Mexico. Today, that is very
much changed. There is cooperation. We have significant cooperation.
This is the wrong thing to do to a country like Mexico that is doing
its best to try and cooperate with the United States, both on migration
and on drug interdiction. These are small programs, but they are
programs that make a difference in terms of economic livelihood in
Mexico, and I hope we will defeat this amendment.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Iowa will be postponed.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Kucinich
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Kucinich:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on millennium challenge corporation assistance
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act
under the heading ``Millennium Challenge Corporation'' may be
used to implement the Northern Zone Investment Plan in El
Salvador with respect to the Northern Transnational Highway.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, my amendment will prohibit the Millennium
Challenge Corporation funds from being used to construct a highway in
El Salvador to help gold mining companies. The construction of this
highway which constitutes a majority of El Salvador's MCC funding will
mostly benefit two gold mining companies. Meanwhile, productive
development priorities which are desperately needed by El Salvador's
poor will be shortchanged.
In fall of 2005, the two largest Canadian mining companies received
permits from the government of El Salvador to conduct initial surveying
of the northern region where gold had been discovered. These companies
made it known to the government they intended to mine for gold. Later,
El Salvador's president announced that he intended to use MCC funding
for construction of a large highway that, guess what, would go right
through that same gold mine region.
Only weeks ago the Salvadoran Government committed a majority of its
MCC funding for construction of this golden highway. You can clearly
see the connection between the highway and the future mines on this
map. All the red and yellow blocks are sites of potential mines, and
the green lines where the highway is to be built. As you can see, every
potential mine will be linked up to a road with construction of this
highway. This highway will link up to other roads in neighboring
countries so the wealth of this poor region can be extracted and easily
shipped out.
The mining companies are accustomed to building their own roads to
facilitate mining operations, but they are not going to have to build
any roads in El Salvador. This a huge financial incentive for these
mining companies and a subsidy to their operation. Here we are,
America's going broke, and we are building highways in El Salvador for
Canadian gold mining corporations. You know, we give these gold mine
companies about $200 million for a road while the price of gold could
go up to $800 an ounce. They should just use two truckloads of gold and
use that to pay for the highway.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate what the gentleman from Ohio is trying to
do to look out for the interests of the people of El Salvador, but I
think he has got some misinformation. Now, there is one thing he is
right about and we can certainly agree on and that is that the
Millennium Challenge Corporation proposed compact for El Salvador does
have a major roads component. But we are not talking about a
superhighway that is blowing through the fields of some poor farmers in
El Salvador. It is not about a road that is going to allow building
profits for the multinational mining firms that are somehow earning it
on the backs of the peasants. And the proposal certainly wasn't
developed by the central government at the expense of the opinions of
those at the local level.
This proposal was developed over 7 years as part of a consultative
process, a process which is developing as part of a regional
development plan with the other countries in the region, which have
identified the lack of transportation infrastructure as a significant
impediment for development. If anyone wants proof and reads Spanish,
you can go to the Web site for the government of El Salvador where
reports about the consultations have been put online, where they are
actually online about all the kind of town meetings and the other
consultations that have taken place. And why is that? Because for one
thing, that is one of the core requirements of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation, that this kind of transparency absolutely must be included
in the development of the MCC proposal for the partner countries.
[[Page H3689]]
I was recently in Nicaragua and Honduras, and there too we have roads
as a major component of what we are trying to do with the Millennium
Challenge Corporation. And why is that important? Because that is how,
in a country that is heavily reliant on agriculture, that is how you
get products to market. You can't get the products from the farms up in
the hills and in the valleys if you don't have roads, secondary roads
and main roads, to bring those things to market. So that is why it is
an important part of this. But it is not about taking things away from
peasants, and this is certainly not about multinational mining
companies. It is not about building a superhighway. This is not a four-
lane or six-lane. It is a two-lane road, a two-lane paved road that
will be good for trucks to carry things on for products to go to
market. And importantly, there are 150 miles of tertiary farm to road
markets that spread out from this central highway that bring the
products in from the little villages and the farms to this highway and
then bring it to the markets where it can either be sold in the major
cities of El Salvador, or it can be shipped into international
commerce, not just to the United States, but regionally, where it can
travel on the highways in the region and help to develop the economy of
this region. This is the kind of thing that we ought to be trying to
encourage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1230
With all due respect to my good friend, this road is about helping a
poor gold mining company more than it is about helping the people. We
know what the stated purpose is: to connect small farmers to a larger
market. Yet gold mining, a process that releases cyanide into the
environment, is going to result in serious environmental damage, and it
is going to displace the farming communities that depend on clean water
and land.
So you help the gold mining operations move forward and you
effectively eradicate farming in that area, which is exactly the
opposite of what we are being told. And if the purpose of the highway
is to help the poor in the northern region, then why are those same
poor and those who work with the poor opposed to the construction of
the highway?
I have here a photo from a newspaper in the area that shows a huge
protest against construction of the highway, among other things, by
people in the Chalatenango area, a poor area in the north which will be
affected by the highway. The Catholic Diocese of Chalatenango, as well
as Caritas, El Salvador, a Catholic relief organization that works with
the poor and oppressed, they are marching in protest to this road that
is supposed to be being built for them. There are so many other groups
that are opposed to this. I submit the following list for the Record.
Other groups opposed to construction of the highway include
the SHARE Foundation; Committee in Solidarity with the People
of El Salvador (CISPES); Unidad Ecologica Salvadorena, an
umbrella group of 32 environmental organizations in El
Salvador; the Association of Communities for the Development
of Chalatenango, an association of 100 villages and 22
municipalities; the Sustainable Energy & Economy Network
(SEEN); among others.
Furthermore, not only is the northern region of El Salvador home to
half of El Salvador's poorest areas, but it also contains the main
source of water and biodiversity in this Lempa River Basin.
So you have got the degrading environmental impact of gold mining,
and it is going to have a negative consequence for the whole area; and
El Salvador is going to end up having to borrow other money to complete
the highway. They will end up getting loans from the World Bank and
Inter-American Development Bank to finance the rest of the project, get
into worse debt and have that debt paid off by the poor. This is a
nightmare.
I repeat: the people of the United States are building a highway in
El Salvador for the benefit of two gold mining companies while gold is
about $800 an ounce and these companies could build their own road with
a couple of truckloads of gold. Why in the world, when we have bridges
falling apart in America, when we have chuckholes all over our
highways, when we can't even repair our own infrastructure, are we
ready to fork over a couple hundred million dollars, principally to
help gold mine companies from Canada? This is insane.
So friends, Republicans, and budget hawks, lend me your ears. Reject
this plan to fund a road for gold miners, and support the Kucinich
amendment.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I will close very quickly. Let me just say that the
gentleman may be right that there are some groups that oppose this; but
every single mayor, every single elected mayor in those villages and
those towns shown on the map that he just showed there of El Salvador
has voted in favor of this during the consultative process. Every
single elected mayor has come out in favor of this.
The economic analysis of this has shown that it has about a 20
percent return on the rate of investment. This is the kind of thing
that is going to help farmers and businessmen and others who have been
too long isolated in this region. In addition to markets, the project
connects people with better education, better health care, and better
futures for themselves and for their children.
So I struggle to see how this amendment is against the people of El
Salvador. It is not for mining companies. It is for the farmers; it is
for the poor people. It is about not only their livelihood, but it is
about their education, it is about their health care.
Mr. Chairman, I hope this amendment would be defeated.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio will be postponed.
Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mrs. Musgrave
Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 9 offered by Mrs. Musgrave:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on assistance to countries that prohibit the importation of
United States beef
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to provide assistance to any country identified by
the Department of Agriculture as a country that prohibits the
importation of United States beef from animals less than 30
months of age.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment is designed to highlight the seriousness
of the Japanese beef embargo. My amendment would state that none of the
funds available in this act could be used to provide assistance to any
country identified by the Department of Agriculture as a country that
prohibits the importation of United States beef from animals less than
30 months of age.
We have a wonderful product that comes from this Nation. When we look
at the firewalls that we have for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, our
beef is truly the safest in the world. And this ongoing trade ban
against the United States has caused billions of dollars in loss of
trade for our American ranchers, packers, and shippers. In Colorado
alone, at least 1,000 job losses can be directly related to this beef
embargo.
Some countries such as Japan are using the guise of health and safety
protocols for an excuse for protectionist policies. I believe that this
needs to stop immediately. Since the USDA testing procedures were put
into
[[Page H3690]]
place in 2004, only two cows have been tested positive for bovine
spongiform encephalopathy, and neither of those cattle made it into the
food chain.
The United States has the highest quality, safest beef in the world.
I believe that our science is very sound, and we have met all of the
requirements that the Japanese Government requires.
I hope that this highlights the concern that we have with the beef
embargo with Japan, and I don't believe that our tax dollars should go
to nations that act in this unreasonable way.
Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez).
Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my distinguished
colleague from Colorado for bringing this amendment to the floor, and
as a former cattleman myself, I am very proud and pleased to be able to
support it. I have been working here in this House with her and Members
of the House Beef Caucus to reopen some of our markets to American beef
throughout the world. What frustrates me most about the remaining bans
on U.S. beef is that they are blatantly political. These bans are not
based on scientific evidence, evidence which overwhelmingly shows that
U.S. beef is among the safest in the world.
We have worked hard to demonstrate the safety of U.S. beef, and we
have waited patiently for our trading partners to resume imports. Now
it is time for us to do more.
I support this amendment because it sends a strong, clear signal to
our trading partners that we are tired of waiting, and waiting
needlessly. Now it is time to end the ban on U.S. beef.
Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chairman, the USDA's enhanced BSE surveillance program continues
to test targeted animals identified as most likely to have the disease.
Since June 1 of 2004, the program has tested almost 726,000 cattle and
has found again only two confirmed cases, evidence to show that our
safeguards are working. Testing 268,500 animals can detect BSE at a
rate of one in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence
level.
I would ask the respected chairman if he would work with me and the
Members of the Agriculture Committee to resolve this problem.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, if the gentlewoman would yield, I certainly
would intend to try to work to resolve this problem within the degree
to which the foreign operations appropriation can do that with foreign
countries. But coming from a ranching background and being a rancher
myself, I would certainly agree this is a problem that is important.
If I might, I understand that you are prepared to withdraw the
amendment. If that is the case, then I will not need to insist on my
point of order.
I appreciate the exchange with the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your ranching background
and your awareness of how this beef embargo affects our ranchers,
shippers and packers; and I thank you for your consideration.
Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Brown of Ohio
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Brown of Ohio:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Assistance to combat tuberculosis
Sec. 5xx. The amounts otherwise provided by this Act are
revised by increasing the amount made available for ``Child
Survival and Health Programs Fund'' for programs for the
prevention, treatment, control of, and research on
tuberculosis, as authorized by section 104B of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b-3), by reducing the
amount made available for ``Operating Expenses of the United
States Agency for International Development'', and by
reducing the amount made available for ``Contribution to the
Asian Development Fund'', by $10,000,000, $5,000,000, and
$5,000,000, respectively.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona will control the time in
opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I will use significantly less than 5 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey. They
deserve tremendous credit for recognizing long ago for many years the
domestic and global benefits of tuberculosis control. They have been
leaders in this body, and I thank them for that.
There are three compelling reasons to do this amendment: additional
dollars will save lives; additional dollars will serve the purpose of
fighting not just TB, but contributing to a public health
infrastructure and preparedness for a potential bird flu pandemic; and
additional TB control dollars now will result in a net reduction of
outlays later because of better preparation.
This past March, the CDC reported a 13 percent increase in multidrug-
resistant TB in our country, the largest single increase since the
early 90s when in Mrs. Lowey's State of New York there was a serious
outbreak. When worldwide travel is an everyday affair, we can't afford
to ignore this airborne infectious killer that can be spread by a cough
or sneeze.
Research published in last September's New England Journal of
Medicine showed that U.S. investment in TB control abroad saves U.S.
tax dollars and protects health here at home. For example, $35 million
invested in TB efforts abroad could save the U.S. over $100 million and
prevent nearly 2,600 cases of TB here and over 300 related TB deaths.
Even one outbreak of MDR, drug resistant TB, can result in a very
costly and deadly resurgence.
Again, what this does is help us with an infrastructure that will
help us stop bird flu or any other epidemic. It is essential that we
fortify our public health infrastructure.
I again thank Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey for their
outstanding leadership in helping this Congress fight tuberculosis here
and abroad.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, certainly the thrust of this amendment is a good one
and what he is attempting to do with this is very good. I have some
concerns about the cuts, continuing to cut in what is a very limited
increase for the O&E for USAID. But having said that, at this time I am
prepared to accept this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown).
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word for the
purpose of entering into a colloquy with the gentlewoman from Texas
(Ms. Jackson-Lee).
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas. I understand she
has some comments she would like to make.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished
gentleman, and I thank the ranking member for her support on this
issue.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I had an amendment that would focus on not
having any funds be made available in this act to be used to assist any
foreign government in enforcing any religious law that has the effect
of punishing a victim of sexual assault or rape.
This is an area and an issue that has a heavy burden in many of our
Muslim populations, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the
Middle East and North Africa, and as well incidents that have occurred
in Nigeria, Libya, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Turkey.
Of course, many of these are our strong allies. However, I think it
is befitting and important for this Congress to make a very strong
statement.
[[Page H3691]]
For example, in South Africa, a woman is raped every 26 seconds. In
South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 days. Bangladesh shows
vigilantism against women for a perceived moral transgression. In
Pakistan, a woman by the name of Dr. Shazia, a 32-year-old Pakistani
physician, is no longer in that country after being raped because of
some problems with the judicial system, although the government has
expressed support for her and I hope that she will be able to come back
to testify against the particular culprit. Because of the religious
codes that surround these incidences, women are not protected.
{time} 1245
My amendment will simply go on record, Mr. Chairman, to say that we
are paying attention to this issue, we are concerned about it, and, of
course, we want to be able to address it.
I would hope that in the statement of managers, as we move toward the
Senate, we would be able to express our concern, in particular, about
this unique issue
And, Mr. Chairman, if I might add, as you well know, I have just
recently returned from Afghanistan, and had many, many women surround
me, many of them elected officials, the newly elected parliament which
we are excited about, has a high percentage of women.
These women said to me directly in general Chambers, we are afraid to
go back to our provinces. I want to make sure that the security funds
for Afghanistan have a particular sensitivity to the security of women
elected officials after returning to their provinces and are fearful
for their lives.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.
Let me just say gentlewoman has been a leader in this field. I
appreciate the fact that she has brought this issue to the attention of
this subcommittee and to this body.
There is no question that the treatment of women, as it relates to
reproductive rights and their treatment in their relationships with
their husbands and with others is horrific in many countries, and
certainly violates all of the standards that we would consider minimal
in this country.
Clearly there needs to be, in our appropriations, and in the money
that we spend on foreign assistance programs, there needs to be an
understanding of this issue. There needs to be a sensitivity to it.
And I appreciate the fact that the gentlewoman has brought this to
our attention. I think by having this dialogue here today, we emphasize
to USAID and to all of our mission directors around the world, that
this is something that we believe they should be very much focused on,
to be sure that the treatment of women in their respective countries,
balancing, balancing the secular rights with the religious law that
exists in some of these countries, balancing that, that we protect the
rights of women, the basic human rights of women in these countries.
Mr. Chairman, I certainly believe that this subcommittee should work
to that end. I know that my colleague, the ranking member, Mrs. Lowey,
has been very dedicated to doing this. And so together, as we move into
conference, we will continue to do that.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the
distinguished gentleman. I might add that I think we are all aware of
an incident that occurred with a gang rape in a country that has been
very much an ally of the United States, Pakistan.
The government, however, took a firm stand against it. I think the
remarks you have made, Mr. Chairman, on the floor today and the support
of Mrs. Lowey, if we can work toward a form of language, I would
greatly appreciate it, as we move toward conference.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman, for her commitment
to this issue here.
Amendment No. 18 Offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 18 offered by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available in this Act under
the heading ``International Military Education and Training''
may be used to provide training to children under the age of
18 in military exercises or military combat initiatives.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the
gentlewoman's amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Arizona reserves a point of order.
Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. As I begin this debate, Mr. Chairman, I do
want to acknowledge again the hard work of Mr. Kolbe and Mrs. Lowey in
working together on probably one of the more different foreign
operations bills in the appropriations process.
I would also offer to say in good humor and with a sense of caring, I
really wish the point of order could be waived. But I hope this issue
again gains the attention of the chairman and the ranking member, that
we could, in fact, have report language on this.
Mr. Chairman, I have worked on this issue for a number of years. I am
the co-chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus. This has to do
with child soldiers. In 2002, the U.S. Senate gave unanimous consent to
the U.S. ratification of the Child Soldiers Protocol which was the
optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflict.
I believe we have a moral imperative in the United States to make our
views known, but to speak forcefully, if you will, to countries that
insist on using children as soldiers. Uganda, for example, abduction
rates reached their record level in late 2002, 2003, over 8,000 boys
and girls were forced by the Lord's Resistance Army to become child
soldiers.
We see this in the Democratic of the Congo. We see this in Burma,
Burundi, the DRC, Liberia, Sudan, and Uganda. We see that Burma's
national army alone includes an estimated 70,000 child soldiers. It is
of course a burden on the children and there is no hope.
As I speak about the child soldiers, the most glaring example was
heard from the eloquent presentation of the president of Liberia that
talked about almost every child in Liberia was used as a child soldier
during the vicious war headed by Charles Taylor.
I am hoping that we can continue to make our moral point, assert our
moral point as the appropriations process moves forward, and that this
too would engender or incur report language, if you will, the
management statement that occurs as we move toward the Senate.
I would like, as I discuss this before I yield to the distinguished
gentleman, is to mention my recent trip to Chad, and to indicate, in
addition to I am sure the impact of the issue of child soldiers, the
impact of refugees from Sudan.
Even though the Chad receives international military education
training dollars, which I wanted to limit, my real focus is to have
those dollars go toward humanitarian aid to take the burden off of the
government of Chad, as it works to be a welcome refuge for our refugees
coming out of Sudan and to protect them, providing security for them.
Mr. Chairman, I hope that all of these issues will receive the
attention of the committee.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, if the gentlewoman would yield, I appreciate
again the good work that she has done in this area, and certainly in
our subcommittee, she has asked for some consideration in the
conference for language, and certainly we will want to consider that. I
do appreciate that.
If the gentlewoman is prepared to withdraw the amendment, I would not
have to insist on my point of order.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished
chairman. I am prepared to withdraw it. As I said, my earlier thoughts
are that would not it be great to have had the point of order waived,
because I think children are dying as we speak and the refugees in Chad
need our help.
[[Page H3692]]
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Mrs. Lowey for her
support. I do want to acknowledge Rebecca Singer Cohen in my office who
worked diligently on these amendments. With that, I look forward to
working with you for language as we move toward the Senate.
Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support my Amendment to this Foreign
Operations Appropriation bill, which states that none of the funds made
available in this Act under the heading ``INTERNATIONAL MILITARY
EDUCATION AND TRAINING'' or 'FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM'' may
be used in contravention of the child soldiers protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. The nations known to use child
soldiers do not deserve military assistance from our Nation.
On June 18, 2002 the U.S. Senate gave unanimous consent to U.S.
ratification of the child soldiers protocol, which was the optional
protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflict. This decision meant that the
United States would not put anyone under the age of eighteen in combat.
However, despite that fact that many nations throughout the world
signed and ratified the protocol, the problem of children being put
into combat situations is still prevalent in many regions of the world.
Despite gains in awareness and better understanding of practical
policies that can help reduce the use of children in war, the practice
persists and globally, the number of child soldiers--about 300,000--is
believed to have remained fairly constant. In some continuing armed
conflicts, child recruitment increased alarmingly. In Northern Uganda,
abduction rates reached record levels in late 2002 and 2003 as over
8,000 boys and girls were forced by the Lord's Resistance Army to
become soldiers, laborers, and sexual slaves. In the neighboring
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where all parties to the armed
conflict recruit and use children, some as young as seven, the forced
recruitment of children increased so dramatically in late 2002 and
early 2003 that observers described the fighting forces as ``armies of
children.''
However, it is not just non-governmental armed opposition groups who
continue to use children to fight wars. Governments including those in
Burma, Burundi, the DRC, Liberia, Sudan, and Ugandan have continued to
recruit and use children in armed conflict. Burma's national army alone
includes an estimated 70,000 child soldiers, which is nearly one-
quarter of world's total and routinely sends children as young as
twelve into battle gainst armed ethnic opposition groups. Both Uganda
and the DRC have ratified the optional protocol, but flout their
obligations by using child soldiers. The Ugandan People's Defense Force
has recruited children who escaped or were captured from the rebel
Lord's Resistance Army, and has trained and deployed children recruited
into local defense units. The government of DRC maintains children in
its ranks despite a 2000 presidential decree calling for the
demobilization of child soldiers.
While none of these nations are specifically targeted to receive any
military assistance in this Appropriation, it is important that this
amendment is passed so that a message against the use of child soldiers
is sent throughout the world. Regardless of how unlikely it is that
such funding may ever take place, we as a nation can not allow even the
slightest possibility that taxpayer money may go to pay for military
assistance to other nations who continue to use child soldiers. It is
also important to note that these military assistance funds do not
cover any humanitarian assistance, only funds under the International
Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing
Programs. It's a travesty that here in America we talk of holding our
children above all else, but around the world children are being used
as tools for war. I urge support for the Jackson-Lee Amendment to
prohibit military assistance to nations that continue to use child
soldiers.
We originally had this amendment include the words ``not against
their will.'' The reason, Mr. Chairman, is that in the time that I
spent in Chad with the refugees that have been resettled in Chad, I saw
that the crisis in Darfur and the surrounding border areas between
Sudan and Chad still exist.
We have made great strides in providing resources to the region; but
as I traveled to Chad and met with the leadership of Chad, they talked
about the enormous challenges that they are presently having with their
refugees and the refugees from Sudan and the need for resources. At the
same time as I talked one on one to the refugees that were there, they
expressed to me that the brutality was still going on.
Of course, in Chad we find that there is a lack of sufficient water,
adequate medical supplies, and, of course, the possibility that the
Janjaweed will come across the border and raid them at will. But at the
same time, these refugees were frightened about the possibility of
being returned to Sudan because the Government of Chad may be
overwhelmed with the resources needed to protect them.
I believe, of course, that we can help provide the resources to Chad
needed to protect those refugees, and the United Nations refugee
resettlement effort was very much in force and very much an effective
tool.
But as we know, the genocidal regime in Sudan has left 2.5 million
people displaced and at least 380,000 people dead in Darfur. We also
know that there is a continuing number of refugees that have come
across the border.
Due to increasing violence, 15,000 innocent civilians continue to die
each month. Genocide cannot continue on our watch. The United States
must move forward towards an effective action against this terrible
crime.
We are gratified that this Congress voted on a genocide initiative
and declared that genocide was occurring. The United Nations, of
course, has had a more difficult time dealing with that question. But
we know that genocide has occurred. We know that these refugees are
fleeing for a very important reason. The United Nations Secretary
General has described the situation in Darfur as ``a little short of
hell on Earth,'' and expert John Prendergast calls it ``Rwanda in slow
motion.''
Under cover of a decade-long civil war that has claimed 2 million
Sudanese lives, the government-backed Janjaweed continues their
campaign to wipe out communities of African tribal farmers who live in
the region.
I understand that there have been changes in the Sudanese Government.
In Chad, I met with the Sudanese ambassador. I have met with the
Sudanese ambassador, to the dismay of many here in the United States,
trying to find common ground.
I want to applaud the work of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Payne) and the Committee on International Relations and the Committee
on Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing,
and Related Programs, that has looked at this question and has fought
it with great, great perseverance. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Jackson) provided additional dollars.
But I want to make sure that any Darfurian refugee that is in Chad is
not forced to leave for any economic reason. Of course, we need more
dollars to help Chad, more support of the United Nations Commissioner
on Human Rights and Refugees. But we also need to ensure that resources
here by this appropriation do not force anyone to go back to a place
where they do not want to go.
Some refugees may want to go back. When I met with them one on one,
they talked about their cattle being destroyed, they talked about there
being no place for them, their villages had been destroyed. We looked
and spoke with the African Union at the aerial footage that would show
how large villages had been destroyed, so there is not much for them to
return to.
I want to be able to say that we are working at all ends, the
declaration of genocide, the negotiations with Sudan to stop the
violence and stop the devastating destruction of these individuals in
Sudan and stop the fleeing from Sudan.
But now that we are in the predicament that we are in, which is
380,000, up to 400,000 and growing, refugees in Chad, we want to make
sure that there is no fear, no, if you will, requirement, no demand, no
shuttling. Refugees who do not want to go back, they should not have to
go.
Let me say this as well: if you speak to the women and the children
that I had a chance to speak to, I can only say that tears would come
to your eyes, the raping, the brutalization, the fear, the
apprehension. I would ask my colleagues to consider an amendment that
simply wants to give to those who are in fear of their lives the
opportunity not to return if they desire not to return.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to
withdraw this amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman
from Texas?
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Poe
Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 10 offered by Mr. Poe:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
reduction in appropriations
Sec. 5xx. Appropriations made in this Act are hereby
reduced in the amount of $597,000,000.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will control the time in opposition.
Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) each
will control 5 minutes.
[[Page H3693]]
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the work that the committee has
done on this foreign ops appropriations bill.
Mr. Chairman, my amendment resets the spending of this bill, however,
to the 2006 foreign ops appropriation bill. Considering the ballooning
size of the government, this would seem to be a modest gesture. Some
say that $597 million is just a small drop in the bucket. That may seem
true to some people who write checks for a living, but I disagree.
You tell that to the people down in Sabine Pass, Texas which was
leveled during Hurricane Rita, that $597 million is not a lot of money.
These good folks are wondering why we are spending money all over the
world when 40,000 of them still have blue tarps on their roofs. It
would seems to me that charity certainly begins at home before we raise
spending to many third world countries.
I'm not asking for a massive cut in foreign programs, I am asking
that Congress consider aid that we spend all over the world. I receive
letters and phone calls every day from people asking us to take care of
their money. It is an important to these individuals, especially people
who have recently been hurt by Wilma, Rita and Katrina.
We can keep asking Americans to trust us with their money as we send
it all over the world, but some day, after we have gone well too far,
the American people will tell us that they have probably had enough. We
cannot continue to be the guns, bread and butter to the world. We must
hold the line on money we give away to other nations and take care of
our people first.
So this amendment reduces overall spending. But because it would be
up to the bureaucrats to decide where those actual cuts would be, and
that aid that is in the interests of the United States, like aid to
Israel, aid that probably ought to be increased, and they may remove
that aid and continue wasteful aid that we spend, for example, the $4
million we give to Tibet so that they keep their culture, maybe even
aid to Egypt, and that gives them too much discretion, I think it is in
the best interest that I withdraw this amendment.
Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Texas?
There was no objection.
Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Poe
Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 11 offered by Mr. Poe:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
limitation on assistance to certain countries
Sec. 5xx. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to provide assistance to any country the government
of which does not accept the transfer from the United States
of citizens or nationals of such country who have been issued
a final removal order by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on this
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman reserves a point of order.
Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Poe) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, many Americans have joined Congress in the
illegal immigration debate over the past several months. Important
questions on guest worker programs, detention space, and the so-called
catch and release programs have been discussed numerous times.
However, one overlooked aspect of illegal immigration is the delay or
the refusal of foreign countries that we give aid to to accept the
ordered deportation of citizens from the United States. Many of these
ordered deported have been convicted of felonies, gone to prison and
U.S. penitentiaries, and illegally entered the United States initially.
A report issued in April of 2006 by the Department of Homeland
Security Inspector General states, that ICE's Office of Detention and
Removal is being forced to devote a significant percentage of its
funded detention beds, 14 percent, to illegals whose countries are
either slow or unwilling to take those people back after they have been
ordered deported.
The report also states that thousands of these individuals end up
then being released in America as our government continues to get
stonewalled by so-called friends, but turn out to be uncooperative
foreign nations.
The cost incurred in fiscal year 2003 by the U.S. due to the delay or
refusal of the top eight nations, including India, was $83 million to
American taxpayers.
In June of 2004, America had 136,241 illegals from those top eight
nations with orders to be departed, but those governments refused to
take those individuals. So what happened? Of that 136,241 illegals, 98
percent of those were released and are walking free on American streets
because we cannot detain them.
These costs are sure to increase along with illegal immigration from
offending countries. What do illegal immigrants have to lose if they
know their own country will not take them back after they have been
deported?
They make their way to America, they come here illegally, they break
our laws, and they know their country will refuse to take them back.
The United States should not have to foot the bill for illegal
immigrants because their home Nations are constructing roadblocks.
It is time we offer a proper incentive to these uncooperative
nations, our so called friends. This amendment would require recipients
of foreign aid to accept and repatriate nationals who have been
deported from this country.
Those nations that do not accept the transfer of their nationals
would not be eligible to receive American aid. These nations cannot
have it both ways. This is not about punishing any particular nation,
it is about asking these countries to work with us and accept our
assistance, also to respect our sovereignty and sanctity of our borders
and take back their lawfully-deported citizens.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona wish to make a point of
order or continue to reserve?
Mr. KOLBE. I would make the point of order unless the gentleman would
like to say anything further before I make my point of order.
Mr. POE. I understand there is a point of order and with that I will
withdraw my amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas is withdrawn.
There was no objection.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Sanders
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Sanders:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
TITLE VI--ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS
Prohibition on use of funds by the Export-Import Bank of the United
States to approve an application for a long-term loan or loan guarantee
with respect to an oil and gas field development project
Sec. ____.
None of the funds made available in this Act may be used by
the Export-Import Bank of the United States to approve an
application for a long-term loan or loan guarantee with
respect to an oil and gas field development project.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) and a Member opposed each will
control 10 minutes.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I would claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman will control the time in opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Vermont.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, this tripartisan amendment has wide
support across the political spectrum. It has been cosponsored by Ron
Paul of Texas, Mr. Hinchey of New York, Mr. Kucinich of Ohio, and has
been endorsed by a number of leading national
[[Page H3694]]
organizations, including the U.S. Business and Industry Council, the
Taxpayers for Common Sense, the Green Scissors Coalition, Public
Citizen, Friends of the Earth, and the U.S. Public Interest Research
Group.
{time} 1300
This amendment is simple and it is straightforward. At a time when
this Nation has an $8.2 trillion national debt, this amendment would
simply prohibit the Export-Import Bank from providing corporate welfare
to large oil companies for the development of oil and gas projects
overseas.
Mr. Chairman, in America today there are proposals coming from the
White House and the leadership of this institution to cut back on
health care, to cut back on Medicare, to cut back on Medicaid, to cut
back on financial aid for college middle class students. And yet if we
do not have enough money to take care of the middle class and their
needs, working families, lower-income families, I wonder why we have
billions of dollars available to provide corporate welfare for the
largest oil companies in the United States of America, companies that
are receiving today billions and billions of dollars in profits.
It is beyond comprehension that anybody in this institution could
come forward with a straight face and say that the taxpayers of America
should be providing loan guarantees and subsidies to corporations like
ExxonMobil, which last year earned $36 billion in profits, more profits
than any corporation in the history of the world. Companies like
ExxonMobil which had enough money to pay out $398 million for a
retirement package for their former CEO. That the taxpayers of this
country, that middle-class families, that working families should be
subsidizing the largest oil companies in the world who are receiving
record-breaking profits, who are paying their CEOs huge compensation
packages is literally insane.
We have real needs in this country. We have needs for our veterans,
needs for education, needs for health care. If oil companies in America
cannot make a buck today without coming for corporate welfare to the
taxpayers of this country, they are never going to make a buck.
Since 1996 the Export-Import Bank has given more than $7 billion in
loans and loan guarantees for oil and gas projects all over this world,
including $1.3 billion to ExxonMobil and nearly $2 billion to our old
friends in Halliburton, another company that is obviously in desperate
need of taxpayer funds.
Mr. Chairman, to add insult to injury, the top recipient, and I hope
you hear this, of this corporate welfare is not even an American
company. It is not even a privately owned company. I didn't know that
my Republican friends were so supportive of state-owned nationalized
industries. I learn something new every day. But the top recipient of
this corporate welfare is PEMEX, a wholly owned oil company of Mexico.
Well, isn't that great that the taxpayers of America are subsidizing a
wholly owned oil company of Mexico. Well, how about paying attention to
some small businesses in America?
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, as I have the right to close and I am the
only speaker on my side, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Hinchey).
Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my friend and colleague,
the gentleman from Vermont, for offering this amendment which I think
is very appropriate and very much to the point these days. But before I
begin with that, I also want to express my deep appreciation to my
friend and colleague on the other side of the aisle, Mr. Kolbe, the
gentleman from Arizona who is the chairman of the committee which is
overseeing this bill.
I want to just thank him for the good sound solid work that he has
done, and I want to also tell him that I have very much appreciated
having the opportunity to be associated with him in his work. I think
he has done an extraordinary job in chairing this subcommittee on
appropriations, and I think he has set an excellent example for his
successor, whoever that may be. Of course, we hope that successor will
be from this side of the aisle, but we will await and see what happens.
Whoever it is, the example that Mr. Kolbe has set is one that is
important for all of us, and I thank him very much.
Last year, the world's five biggest oil companies recorded a
staggering $111 billion in profits. And for the first quarter of this
year, these same companies have racked up about $28 billion in profits
which puts them right on track for even exceeding the record profits
that they established last year. The contrast between Big Oil's
prosperity and the economic conditions of the vast majority of
Americans is very, very obvious and deeply divided. People all across
this country are finding it more and more difficult to heat their
homes, and they are finding it true that each week a bigger chunk out
of their paycheck is going to pay for the gasoline that they need just
to get back and forth to work. So Americans are getting gouged twice.
They are getting gouged at the pump and they are getting gouged in
their tax bills.
So what this amendment does is begin to focus attention on this
situation where we are subsidizing American oil companies that are
making record profits to go off and spend the taxpayers' dollar to
develop energy sources in some other part of the world. It just does
not make any sense. They have more cash on hand right now than they
know what to do with, and now we are providing them with additional
subsidies.
So I thank the gentleman from Vermont for giving us the opportunity
to vote on this amendment, to establish some clarity here with regard
to how we use these funds. The kind of corporate welfare that is
exemplified here in this particular example of taxpayers' dollars going
to the richest companies in the world making the biggest profits in the
world is just another example of how we have misallocated the
taxpayers' dollars in this country, denying them the things they need
in order to subsidize the coffers of people who do not need it. Let's
pass this amendment.
Last year, the world's five biggest oil companies--ExxonMobil, Royal
Dutch Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips and Chevron Texaco--recorded a
staggering $111 billion in profits.
For the first quarter of 2006, these same companies recorded almost
$28 billion in profits.
The contrast between Big Oil's prosperity and the struggles of
ordinary families to pay for the high cost of energy has never been
clearer.
Americans are getting gouged twice: once at the pump when they pay
high prices and twice, when they pay taxes that end up in the pockets
of some of the most profitable energy companies in the world.
Yet, despite these record profits, the oil industry continues to
benefit from billions in giveaways--courtesy of the American taxpayer.
This amendment would put an end to one such egregious subsidy.
As my good friend from Vermont has explained, since 1995, the Export-
Import Bank has provided more than 7 billion US taxdollars for loans
and loan guarantees for oil and gas projects all over the world--all
funded by Uncle Sam, or should I say, by taxpayers?
And look where our tax dollars are going: $1.3 billion to Exxon-
Mobil; $162 million to BP; $300 million to Chevron; and nearly $2
billion to Halliburton.
Can anybody tell us without laughing up their sleeve that these
corporate giants need more help from the very people who are having a
difficult time affording to heat or cool their homes or put gasoline in
their cars?
And what's more, should we ever be subsidizing a foreign firm? As the
gentleman from Vermont has already pointed out, the top recipient of
this corporate welfare is Pemex, which is wholly-owned by the
government of Mexico.
Since 1996, Pemex has benefited from over $4 billion in financing
from the Export-Import Bank.
In fact, roughly 70 percent of total Export-Import Bank financing for
oil and gas projects since 1996 has gone to Pemex.
So why can't we see the absurdity of American taxpayers who are
already $8.3 trillion in debt, subsidizing the Mexican government's oil
and gas operations?
American tax dollars should not be publicly financing oil and gas
projects for a company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mexican
government. We should be embarrassed to ask that of our constituents.
This amendment would simply provide a time-out for more of this
corporate welfare benefitting the most profitable companies in
[[Page H3695]]
the country when they want to develop energy overseas, at the expense
of ordinary Americans.
This amendment would acknowledge that we are finished with putting
American taxpayers at risk when we guarantee Export Import loans for
risky oil and gas ventures overseas.
It would end the bilking the public trough for private gain.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment is again about fairness.
Why should the US taxpayer prop up the oil and gas industry in times
like these? I can see no good reason, nor should my colleagues.
These companies can afford to do their risky business with no assist
from the public.
They can get loans from banks. They are not strapped for cash to
invest overseas.
They have told us loud and clear that they do not need our subsidies,
so let's take them at their word.
Unfortunately, every time we do take them at their word, these same
companies come back begging to Washington for more corporate welfare
and taxpayer dollars. This simply has to stop.
If American companies want to invest in energy resources overseas,
have at it, and good luck to you. Just don't expect hard-working,
underpaid Americans to foot the bill.
Support your taxpayers. End corporate welfare. Support this
amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Vermont has 3 minutes remaining.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Chairman, I gather many of my friends here are strong proponents
of the free enterprise system. They like the idea of risk, venture
taking, and I wonder why it is that when the Export-Import Bank is
supposed to be the place of last resort when large oil companies like
ExxonMobil are supposed to go to the banks, I wonder why ExxonMobil is
not going to Citibank or other large banks to get any assistance they
might need. It is beyond comprehension to me that ExxonMobil and
Halliburton cannot get a loan from the private sector. Beyond belief.
Furthermore, I find it unbelievable, to be honest with you, as to why
the taxpayers of this country are subsidizing a state-owned industry in
Mexico, PEMEX, they are a state-owned oil company, when certainly my
friends over there would never think of in a million years of
subsidizing a state-owned oil company in the United States of America.
Here is the bottom line: historically the Ex-Im, the Export-Import
Bank, has been a major provider of corporate welfare to the largest
corporations in America. There are corporations that have received huge
amounts of help from Export-Import and then they say, oh, thank you
very much, taxpayers of America. By the way, we are shutting down
plants in this country and we are moving to China. And now what we are
looking at is one segment of their loans and loan guarantees to the oil
industry.
Thank you, taxpayers of America, for subsidizing us, and now we are
going to charge you $3 for a gallon of gas while we earn record-
breaking profits.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment should in fact be passed unanimously. It
is beyond belief; it would be beyond belief to the people of this
country that there is anyone here who thinks the taxpayer money should
go to the oil industry which is enjoying record-breaking profits while
they rip off the American people.
I would hope we have widespread support for this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, in fact, I think this amendment would be defeated
unanimously if people understood what it is really about. It is not
about big oil companies. It is not about supporting big oil companies.
It is about supporting usually small suppliers, small U.S.
manufacturers that work in the large, huge energy industry around the
world. So I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment.
We are looking at one of the largest projects, in fact it is the
largest infrastructure project in the world today at Saklan Island. The
reserves there are larger than the North Slope. They are larger than
the Gulf of Mexico. These are huge possible reserves.
Now, if we are concerned about energy in this country, if we are
concerned about oil and gas in this country and having enough gasoline
to run our cars, we ought to be concerned about developing this. And if
we are concerned about making sure we have environmental protections
for a project like this, we want to have some participation in this
project, and that is exactly what the funding from OPEC and Ex-Im Bank
allows us to do to have that kind of participation.
The gentleman made some comment about even though it is not the
Saklan project about PEMEX, but there again PEMEX in Mexico, that is
the state-owned oil industry in Mexico. There is nothing in here about
supporting PEMEX. It is about supporting American business contractors,
American manufacturers that export to PEMEX, that sell pipe, that sell
drill equipment, that sell rigs, that sell all kinds of things. It is
about keeping jobs here in the United States. That is what this is
about and that is what it is about with the Saklan Island project as
well.
This is absolutely not the right way to go. And, again, if we want to
have some participation in this, if we want to make sure that this
project is done the right way, we want to be sure that Export-Import
Bank is involved with supporting those small suppliers that he was not
talking about, supporting those contractors, those business people,
because that helps us to participate in this.
It is really not so much about the big company, the ExxonMobil and
the Kelloggs. It is about companies like Solar Turbines Incorporated,
about S & P Steel Products. This is why we have the Ex-Im Bank to
support these kinds of exports to other countries, to support jobs here
in the United States. That is exactly what the Export-Import Bank is
about, jobs here in the United States.
Mr. Chairman, this amendment is not the right way to proceed, and I
hope that my colleagues will soundly defeated this amendment. If you
are concerned about energy, if you are concerned about gas prices, and
you want to develop in a reasonable way reserves of energy overseas and
if you want to support American manufacturers and American jobs, defeat
this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont will be
postponed.
Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Hefley
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 15 offered by Mr. Hefley:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
reduction in appropriations
Sec. 5xx. Appropriations made in this Act are hereby
reduced in the amount of $213,000,000.
{time} 1315
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of June 8, 2006, the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, first of all, I would like to echo the comments of Mr.
Hinchey on the prior amendment concerning the chairman, and I have
enormous respect for the work that you have done and wish you well in
whatever you do after this, but you are a conscientious legislator, and
we are to be proud of you for that.
Mr. Chairman, I rise again today to offer an amendment to cut the
level of funding in this appropriation bill by 1 percent. This amount
equals $213 million. It is only one penny off of every dollar spent.
I have several pages here of brilliant explanation of why. I am not
going to go through all of that because I do not think I am going to
change any minds, and yes, I know this will not balance
[[Page H3696]]
the budget. It is symbolic, but at least it shows that we are thinking
about it and that we are serious about it. In my budget at home and
your budget at home or any department's budget, if they cannot find one
penny out of a dollar, then I think something is very, very wrong.
Mr. Chairman, I would move the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Arizona seek to control time in
opposition?
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I take the time in opposition, and I will
spend even less time than the gentleman from Colorado did as we both go
out the door here, and we will follow each other out the door of this
distinguished body.
I want to say to him that I would say the same thing about him, the
kind words he said about me. He has had very distinguished service here
in this body, and he is a person that is known for his integrity and
his commitment to principles. One of those commitments is the holding
down spending, and it is something that all of us could heed from time
to time.
However, having said that, I would oppose this amendment for the
obvious reasons, but I think that we have a carefully crafted bill and
a $213 million across-the-board cut from every account would have some
devastating impacts in certain areas.
For that reason, as much as I respect the gentleman from Colorado, I
would oppose this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado will be
postponed.
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last
word.
I rise in the closing moments of the legislative work on the Foreign
Operations subcommittee report almost entirely to remind the Members
that this is perhaps one of the most difficult bills of all those that
we take through the appropriations process, not because it is the
largest bill, not because there are not problems solving the bill, but
because, generally speaking across the country, Americans tend to say
if we are going to spend money, we ought to spend money at home first
and forget about spending money anywhere else, except perhaps for
national defense.
Ofttimes my constituents say why are we spending so much money on
foreign aid, not recognizing that we are spending such a very, very
fractional piece of our total dollar available in this arena, but it is
through this vehicle that our voice is effectively heard around the
world on behalf of freedom, of opportunity and, indeed, on behalf of
American interests.
There is little doubt that this bill has done so well over the years
because we have had the kind of leadership in this subcommittee that
truly recognizes the importance of this. We have all talked about the
fact that Mrs. Lowey and our chairman, Jim Kolbe, have worked so well
together, but this is Jim Kolbe's last bill on the floor where he is
formally presenting his thought and his leadership relative to that
role in the world. He has done a fabulous job for us. We are going to
miss him in the House. I must say that if any regret regarding these
remarks at all, it is to say that I only wish Jim Kolbe would be back
next year working with us on this and many other projects for years to
come.
So thank you, Mr. Kolbe, very much.
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the Foreign Operations
Appropriations Act and want to thank Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member
Lowey for their hard work, thoughtfulness and dedication to bringing
such a well-crafted bill to the floor.
There are so many important issues this bill addresses and so many
ways in which it positively demonstrates the United States' values as a
leader and a responsible member of the family of nations. I am grateful
for the full funding of the President's request for aid to Israel and
for humanitarian assistance to Sudan, and am thrilled it goes above and
beyond the President's request for the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.
I appreciate the inclusion of reporting requirements for the
protection of children affected by humanitarian emergencies, an issue
I've worked with Representative Lowey on, as well as the inclusion of
$45 million to support research and development of microbicides as a
means of combating HIV/AIDS.
I appreciate the chairman and ranking member's support of the
Community Action Program in Iraq--known as CAP. The CAP program
directly engages Iraqis in reconstructing their own communities, while
building a nationwide grassroots constituency for democracy. Typical
CAP projects use both U.S. and Iraqi funds and resources to rebuild
schools, repair water and sewage lines, build health clinics, as well
as a host of other infrastructure and development projects.
I have traveled to Iraq 12 times--4 times outside the umbrella of the
military--and have seen first-hand how the CAP program improves the
lives of Iraqis and, most importantly, how it helps us accomplish our
mission of creating a secure environment for the Iraqi people so
democracy can prosper.
This legislation provides $50 million for the CAP program, and I
would urge the chairman to consider, as the bill moves forward, that a
higher funding level would certainly be money well spent.
Regarding the Peace Corps, I am grateful for the inclusion of $325
million for the Peace Corps, which is an increase of $5 million above
the fiscal year 2006 level, but is unfortunately $12 million below the
President's request. I wish we could have done better. As the U.S.
strives to create a better understanding of America in the world, the
7,800 Peace Corps volunteers serving from Armenia to Zambia are
tangible evidence that America cares about its global neighbors.
Peace Corps volunteers have worked in every corner of the world,
including the Middle East, and demonstrated the ``human side'' of
American assistance: promoting friendship, cross cultural understanding
along with sustainable international development.
Again, I appreciate the hard work that went into this bill and urge
all my colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Foreign
Operations Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2007.
The United States should plant seeds of peace, not seeds of war.
Tragically, however, this legislation appropriates nearly $5 billion--
or about 25 percent of total spending--for direct military assistance.
H.R. 5522 also includes more than $2.5 billion for so-called ``Economic
Support Funds'' that recipient countries often direct toward security
budgets. This spending subsidizes armed conflict, encouraging violence
rather than diplomacy around the world.
At the same time, the legislation includes several provisions I would
have loved to support as a stand-alone bill. For example, it provides
$450 million for humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan. Significant
financing is included for much-needed disaster and famine assistance,
temporary resettlement of refugees, development aid, and peacekeeping
operations. I hope that this assistance will help ameliorate the
consequences of the genocide in Darfur. Similarly, I support bipartisan
efforts to combat global AIDS.
But in the end, the bad outweighs the good and I must vote against
this bill, which encourages billions in counterproductive military
assistance.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, one of the hardest jobs Members of Congress
face while in office is deciding whether to support or oppose a bill
that is half good and half bad. Too often, we are forced to vote in
favor of issues we strongly oppose while supporting goals with which we
agree because our viewpoint was not the prevailing view. That is
exactly what I faced today with H.R. 5522, the Foreign Operations,
Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2007.
Mr. Chairman, I am on the record today as voting ``aye'' on the
Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. I voted ``aye'' because the bill
contains many worthwhile and effective provisions. Most importantly,
the bill offers financial support to Israel and many other of our
partners in democracy. Without backing from the United States,
countries that uphold democracy and freedom could suffer, and I, for
one, will always support countries that cherish and promote freedom and
democratic ideals.
Another important provision that I strongly support in this bill is
the withholding of 60 percent of the funds allocated for Russia until
its president certifies that they have terminated any arrangements to
provide nuclear assistance to Iran.
I am also extremely pleased with the many pro-life provisions
maintained in the bill. These pro-life provisions send a clear message
to foreign governments that if you engage in
[[Page H3697]]
population control and abortion practices, you will not receive
assistance from the United States.
These measures, along with other provisions designed to keep jobs in
America are examples of why I chose to support this piece of
legislation.
However, Mr. Chairman, there were numerous provisions within the bill
that I have serious reservations about and that did not have enough
support to be removed from the bill. I would like to go on record
highlighting the portions of the bill I do not support.
Mr. Chairman, I am deeply concerned about the International Export
and Investment Agencies funding included in the bill. This provision
requires the Federal Government to provide insurance to private
companies investing in foreign countries. I cannot for the life of me
understand why taxpayer dollars should fund this agency. If private
companies wish to insure their investments overseas, they should use
private insurance companies to do so, not the Federal Government.
Mr. Chairman, I am also very concerned about the economic aid for
Egypt contained in the bill. To be giving such economic assistance to
Egypt at a time when it has been cracking down on top political
dissidents and opponents within and without its borders is unwise. Many
of my constituents who follow international affairs have contacted me
abhorring the actions in the Sudan and wondering why Egypt continues to
support the government in Khartoum. We need to send a message that we
will not tolerate human rights abuses or support for such abuses,
especially from one of our important strategic allies.
Mr. Chairman, the bill provides $4.1 billion for the Agency for
International Development, USAID, which provides funds for development
related projects in developing countries. I am not opposed to helping
out those countries in need, but this program has not proven effective
enough over the course of its existence to warrant this level of
funding.
Additionally, I want to express my opposition to the $522 million for
the Trade Capacity Enhancement Fund.
Mr. Chairman, this bill tested my beliefs and forced me to make a
very difficult decision. In the end, I believe the good outweighs the
bad, but I want my colleagues to know that I will continue working to
remove these disturbing provisions. I was voted into this office to
reduce Federal spending and bring common sense back to the legislative
process. That is exactly what I will do.
Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 5522, the
FY07 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.
I am pleased that the bill includes $50 million in funding for Afghan
women, including $2 million for the Afghan Independent Human Rights
Commission.
This funding builds upon funding for Afghan women and girls included
in an amendment that I offered to the FY04 Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations bill.
Over the past few years, the United States has invested in the
reconstruction and development of Afghanistan both because it is the
right thing to do and because it is critical to our security.
However, I, like many of my colleagues, am troubled about the recent
acts of violence that have been occurring in Afghanistan.
Clearly, we have more work to do.
Afghan women were brutally oppressed by the Taliban regime, but they
have been working to reclaim their role in society, in part because of
critical U.S. assistance provided to Afghanistan.
Millions of girls have attended primary schools and equal rights for
women are guaranteed in the constitution.
However, while women are vastly better off than they were, many
continue to endure hardships including targeted violence, limited
mobility, illiteracy, and a high rate of maternal mortality.
I also am very concerned about reports that schools continue to be
targeted for violence, including dozens in the past year.
By giving women access to the skills and opportunities that they need
to become partners in creating Afghanistan's future, we will ensure
that women will no longer be second-class citizens.
I particularly want to note the $2 million that is directed for the
Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
I recently met with Dr. Sima Samar, chair of the Afghan Independent
Human Rights Commission, who discussed the valuable work of the
Commission and the challenges that remain.
Dr. Samar is a courageous advocate for the rights of Afghan citizens,
including women and children.
Her work is invaluable in ensuring that human rights are protected
and respected in Afghanistan.
While I hope that all the aid for Afghanistan will help women, I
commend the Appropriations Committee for continuing to recognize the
needs of Afghan women.
I also am pleased that the bill includes $34 million for the life
saving work of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.
UNFPA is a global leader in providing reproductive health care,
including family planning services to the world's poorest women.
UNFPA helps women undergo pregnancy and childbirth safely and helps
women and men to plan their families and avoid unintended pregnancies
and protect themselves from HIV/AIDS infections.
Despite the unequalled and vital work that UNFPA provides, for the
past four years, President Bush has denied them funding by refusing to
release the $34 million that Congress has appropriated.
Claiming unproven and unsubstantiated assertions regarding UNFPA's
work in China, this Administration is turning its back on those most in
need.
It has been estimated that the loss of each year's funding could
prevent 2 million unintended pregnancies; nearly 800,000 abortions,
4,700 maternal deaths, nearly 60,000 cases of serious maternal illness;
and more than 77,000 infant and child deaths.
The Bush administration's refusal to release these funds puts at risk
the very lives and health of women and children in the world's poorest
regions.
In anticipation of the president cancelling the FY07 funding again
this year, I was grateful to Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick for
offering an amendment during full committee mark-up to ensure that the
appropriated funds are released for the UNFPA's campaign to end
obstetric fistula, a devastating and completely preventable condition
that afflicts young women whose bodies are not mature enough to deliver
healthy babies.
Unfortunately, the committee rejected the amendment.
I am very concerned that this amendment failed and hope that a
solution to release the funds will be provided in Conference.
Most importantly, it is my hope that this year, President Bush
reconsiders the impact of his decision and releases the life-saving
funding that this chamber is wisely approving today.
This important bill will provide critical funding for organizations
doing important work on the ground in countries all over the world.
One of those organizations is located in my congressional district.
CARE is currently in 72 countries worldwide helping to educate
children, provide health care, give food to the hungry, and fight
poverty.
And they do so much more.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill so that we can continue to
fund these valuable initiatives.
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong
support of this amendment by my friend from California. Human
trafficking is slavery, plain and simple, and we are morally bound to
do everything we can to put an end to it.
The sad truth is that human trafficking is one of the fastest growing
types of transnational criminal activity. And yet, resources to combat
it remain scarce.
My district, Orange County, is home to many victims of human
trafficking, and I've had the opportunity to meet with some of them and
also with some of the community groups who are providing these
survivors with the support services they desperately need.
Orange County is also home to a Counter-Trafficking Task Force
working to develop strong partnerships between local, state and federal
law enforcement agencies. The Task Force trains first responders to
identify and rescue trafficking victims, disrupt and apprehend
traffickers and make subsequent referral of victims to needed support
services.
We're very fortunate to have programs like these in the United
States, but many other countries lack the resources or the expertise to
combat human trafficking on their own. Without coordinated
international efforts, we have little hope of defeating the
traffickers.
That's why we need to dedicate many more of our foreign assistance
dollars to helping our friends around the world in their anti-
trafficking efforts. This amendment is a good first step, and I am
pleased that the Chairman has agreed to accept it.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor today in support of the
fiscal year 2007 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
I would like to commend the chairman, the gentleman from Arizona, Mr.
Kolbe and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Lowey
for their hard work and leadership on this legislation.
As this will be his last time chairing the subcommittee on foreign
operations, I especially want to thank you Mr. Kolbe for your
commitment to the issue of foreign aid and for consistently working in
a bipartisan manner over the years with Ms. Lowey, myself, and others.
With respect to the legislation before us, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
take a moment to highlight three particular provisions.
First, I am pleased that this bill includes $450 million for
humanitarian assistance in
[[Page H3698]]
Sudan. Of this, $138 million is specifically for the war-torn Darfur
region. The release of the rest is contingent on the certification that
hostilities by the Government of Sudan and its Janjaweed militas have
ended in Darfur and that humanitarian assistance can flow unimpeded.
Mr. Chairman, as we all know, a terrible genocide has been taking
place in Darfur since February 2003.
Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, the international community has been
slow to respond this as a humanitarian disaster.
I traveled to the Darfur region twice and have witnessed first-hand
the life and death situation of the refugees. They lack even the most
basic needs. For example, because of limited funds the WFP has reduced
the food ration for refugees to a mere 1050 calories per day. This is
not enough to live on.
That's why, I am pleased that the funds allocated in this bill will
help support efforts by the U.N. and the African Union to bring food,
clean water, and other basic humanitarian assistance.
Second, I am pleased that this legislation includes funds to support
the post-conflict democracy in Haiti.
As you know, Mr. Chairman, the first democratically elected president
of Haiti, Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted from office in 1994 and
again in 2004. For the last dozen years, Haiti has struggled in an
economic and humanitarian crisis.
This February's election of Rene Preval is a significant milestone
for our hemisphere's most fragile democracy.
We must do everything we can to allow peace and security to return.
That's why this legislation's inclusion of $164 million is so
important.
And finally, Mr. Chairman, I am pleased that this bill includes $3.4
billion to fight the global AIDS pandemic, including $445 million for
the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria.
In the 25 years since the CDC reported the first cases of a rare form
of pneumonia among 5 gay men in Los Angeles, HIV/AIDS has infected
nearly 70 million throughout the world and killed more than 25 million.
We have made significant steps in the last few years to bring relief
and hope to millions of infected and vulnerable individuals in the
developing world, and with this increase in funding we acknowledge the
work that still remains to be done.
Although I am disappointed that we could not match the need based
figure of $7.54 billion to combat AIDS, TB and Malaria, I hope that in
conference we can at least support the Senate in seeking a funding
level of $4.826 billion.
Mr. Chairman, with our Nation embroiled in an unnecessary war in
Iraq, and our international credibility and standing at it's lowest in
history, this bill helps us showcase what it best about American
humanitarian efforts.
I thank the committee for it's just consideration of many competing
priorities within a limited allocation and for bringing to the floor a
bill that will provide a meaningful contribution to international aid.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Sequential Votes Postponed In Committee of the Whole
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings will
now resume on those amendments on which further proceedings were
postponed, in the following order:
Amendment No. 7 by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts.
Amendment No. 8 by Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts.
Amendment by Mr. Weiner of New York.
Amendment No. 5 by Mr. King of Iowa.
Amendment by Mr. Kucinich of Ohio.
Amendment by Mr. Sanders of Vermont.
Amendment No. 15 by Mr. Hefley of Colorado.
Amendment No. 1 by Mr. Blumenauer of Oregon.
The Chair will reduce to 2 minutes the time for any electronic vote
after the first vote in this series.
Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. McGovern
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
McGovern) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 174,
noes 229, not voting 29, as follows:
[Roll No. 242]
AYES--174
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bean
Berkley
Berman
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carnahan
Carson
Chandler
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Conyers
Cooper
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Doggett
Doyle
Ehlers
Emanuel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Flake
Frank (MA)
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green, Al
Grijalva
Gutknecht
Hall
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson, E. B.
Kelly
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
Kucinich
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lynch
Maloney
Markey
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Otter
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Pitts
Platts
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sherman
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Tanner
Tauscher
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Wexler
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
NOES--229
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bass
Beauprez
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boustany
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Cardoza
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chocola
Coble
Cole (OK)
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Dicks
Dingell
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards
Emerson
English (PA)
Everett
Feeney
Ferguson
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Foley
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Green, Gene
Harris
Hart
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Holden
Hostettler
Hunter
Hyde
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Istook
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Kanjorski
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Latham
LaTourette
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McMorris
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Ortiz
Osborne
Oxley
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Poe
Pombo
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Saxton
Schmidt
Schwarz (MI)
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Sodrel
Souder
Stearns
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--29
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
[[Page H3699]]
Davis (FL)
Diaz-Balart, M.
Engel
Evans
Ford
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gutierrez
Jones (OH)
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Wicker
{time} 1344
Messrs. TIAHRT, GOODE, ORTIZ, KNOLLENBERG, BURGESS, and COSTA changed
their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California and Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island
changed their vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. McGovern
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
McGovern) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the
noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 188,
noes 218, not voting 26, as follows:
[Roll No. 243]
AYES--188
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boucher
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Camp (MI)
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carnahan
Carson
Chabot
Chandler
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Conyers
Crowley
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dicks
Doggett
Doyle
Duncan
Ehlers
Emanuel
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Flake
Foley
Ford
Frank (MA)
Gilchrest
Goode
Gordon
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutknecht
Harman
Higgins
Hinchey
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kelly
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
Kucinich
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lynch
Maloney
Markey
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanders
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Shays
Sherman
Simmons
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Solis
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Tauscher
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
NOES--218
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bass
Bean
Beauprez
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boustany
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Cardoza
Carter
Case
Castle
Chocola
Cole (OK)
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Dingell
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Emerson
English (PA)
Everett
Ferguson
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Hall
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hostettler
Hunter
Hyde
Issa
Istook
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
Latham
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McIntyre
McMorris
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Ortiz
Osborne
Otter
Oxley
Pearce
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pombo
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sanchez, Loretta
Saxton
Schmidt
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (TX)
Snyder
Sodrel
Souder
Spratt
Stearns
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--26
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Diaz-Balart, M.
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Pence
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Wicker
{time} 1350
Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina and Mr. DICKS changed their vote from
``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall Nos. 242
and 243 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have
voted ``no.''
Amendment Offered by Mr. Weiner
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 312,
noes 97, not voting 23, as follows:
[Roll No. 244]
AYES--312
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baldwin
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Bass
Bean
Beauprez
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Camp (MI)
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson
Chabot
Chandler
Chocola
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dent
Dicks
Doggett
Doyle
Drake
Duncan
Edwards
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
Eshoo
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Flake
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Graves
Green (WI)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutknecht
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hostettler
Hoyer
[[Page H3700]]
Hulshof
Inslee
Israel
Jefferson
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (IL)
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Keller
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
LaTourette
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lungren, Daniel E.
Maloney
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McIntyre
McKinney
McMorris
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Ney
Norwood
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Otter
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Ramstad
Rangel
Renzi
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Sodrel
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Strickland
Stupak
Sullivan
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
NOES--97
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Barton (TX)
Biggert
Bishop (UT)
Boehner
Bonilla
Boustany
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Buyer
Calvert
Campbell (CA)
Carter
Case
Castle
Cole (OK)
Crenshaw
DeLay
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dingell
Doolittle
Dreier
Ehlers
English (PA)
Etheridge
Fortenberry
Frelinghuysen
Gilchrest
Gohmert
Granger
Hall
Hensarling
Herger
Hobson
Hunter
Hyde
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson (CT)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Kelly
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
LaHood
Latham
Leach
Lewis (CA)
Lucas
Lynch
Mack
McCrery
Miller (NC)
Northup
Nunes
Oxley
Pastor
Pearce
Pombo
Price (NC)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Reynolds
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Saxton
Schwarz (MI)
Sessions
Shadegg
Sherwood
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (TX)
Snyder
Sweeney
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Watt
Weller
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--23
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are advised 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1357
Messrs. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California, SHUSTER, TURNER, HAYES,
COSTA, Ms. McKINNEY and Miss McMORRIS changed their vote from ``no'' to
``aye.''
So the amendment was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. King of Iowa
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King) on which
further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by
voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 93,
noes 311, not voting 28, as follows:
[Roll No. 245]
AYES--93
Abercrombie
Akin
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Beauprez
Blackburn
Bradley (NH)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burton (IN)
Cantor
Chabot
Chandler
Chocola
Coble
Cubin
Culberson
Davis, Jo Ann
Deal (GA)
Duncan
Everett
Feeney
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gillmor
Gohmert
Goode
Graves
Gutknecht
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hostettler
Issa
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Keller
Kelly
King (IA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Lynch
McCotter
McHenry
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Norwood
Nunes
Otter
Paul
Petri
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Porter
Price (GA)
Putnam
Rahall
Ramstad
Reynolds
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Royce
Rush
Ryun (KS)
Schmidt
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shuster
Tancredo
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
Wamp
Weldon (PA)
Westmoreland
Whitfield
NOES--311
Ackerman
Aderholt
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Baird
Baldwin
Barton (TX)
Bass
Bean
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blumenauer
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Burgess
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson
Carter
Case
Castle
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cole (OK)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Tom
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doolittle
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Foley
Ford
Fortenberry
Fossella
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Gilchrest
Gingrey
Gonzalez
Goodlatte
Gordon
Granger
Green (WI)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hall
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Maloney
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McKinney
McMorris
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Northup
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Pombo
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Radanovich
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Rogers (AL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz (PA)
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Sodrel
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tauscher
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Wexler
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
[[Page H3701]]
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--28
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Istook
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Pence
Peterson (PA)
Pickering
Reyes
Stearns
Walsh
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are reminded 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1400
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated for:
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 245 I was inadvertently
detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''
Amendment Offered by Mr. Kucinich
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 118,
noes 288, not voting 26, as follows:
[Roll No. 246]
AYES--118
Abercrombie
Allen
Andrews
Baird
Baldwin
Bartlett (MD)
Berry
Bishop (NY)
Boucher
Boyd
Brown (OH)
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson
Chandler
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Conyers
Cummings
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
DeFazio
Dicks
Doggett
Doyle
Duncan
Engel
Eshoo
Farr
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Gilchrest
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hastings (FL)
Higgins
Hinchey
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hostettler
Inslee
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (NC)
Kanjorski
Kildee
Kucinich
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Lee
Lewis (GA)
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Maloney
Markey
Marshall
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Miller, George
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Nadler
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Otter
Owens
Pallone
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Rahall
Rangel
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Schakowsky
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Slaughter
Solis
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Tancredo
Tauscher
Taylor (MS)
Thompson (CA)
Tierney
Towns
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Velazquez
Visclosky
Waxman
Weiner
Woolsey
Wu
NOES--288
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Barton (TX)
Bass
Bean
Beauprez
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boustany
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chocola
Cole (OK)
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dingell
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
English (PA)
Etheridge
Everett
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Flake
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Gutknecht
Hall
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inglis (SC)
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jefferson
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (OH)
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mack
Marchant
Matheson
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McIntyre
McMorris
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moran (KS)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Napolitano
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Ortiz
Osborne
Pascrell
Pastor
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Ramstad
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Salazar
Saxton
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Sodrel
Souder
Stearns
Stupak
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tanner
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Van Hollen
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Watt
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--26
Baca
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Waters
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are reminded 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1405
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ changed her vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment Offered by Mr. Sanders
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 178,
noes 228, not voting 26, as follows:
[Roll No. 247]
AYES--178
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Andrews
Bachus
Baird
Baldwin
Bartlett (MD)
Bass
Bean
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Bilirakis
Bishop (NY)
Boswell
Bradley (NH)
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carnahan
Carson
Chabot
Chandler
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cramer
Cummings
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
Dent
Doyle
Engel
Eshoo
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Flake
Foley
Ford
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gordon
Grijalva
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Hayworth
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hostettler
Hoyer
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Jackson (IL)
Johnson (CT)
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
Kucinich
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larson (CT)
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Maloney
Markey
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (MI)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Otter
[[Page H3702]]
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Platts
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (NC)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Rohrabacher
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shays
Simmons
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Solis
Stark
Stearns
Strickland
Stupak
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor (MS)
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (PA)
Wexler
Woolsey
Young (FL)
NOES--228
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Barton (TX)
Beauprez
Biggert
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Cardoza
Carter
Case
Castle
Chocola
Coble
Cole (OK)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (KY)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
Delahunt
DeLay
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
English (PA)
Etheridge
Everett
Feeney
Ferguson
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Gutknecht
Hall
Harris
Hart
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hulshof
Hyde
Issa
Istook
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Kanjorski
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
Larsen (WA)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mack
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McIntyre
McMorris
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Murphy
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Ortiz
Osborne
Pearce
Pence
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Poe
Pombo
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Ros-Lehtinen
Royce
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Salazar
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Sodrel
Souder
Spratt
Sullivan
Sweeney
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Turner
Upton
Wamp
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
NOT VOTING--26
Baca
Baker
Becerra
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are reminded 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1409
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Hefley
The CHAIRMAN. The pending business is the demand for a recorded vote
on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) on
which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes
prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The Clerk redesignated the amendment.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 107,
noes 300, not voting 25, as follows:
[Roll No. 248]
AYES--107
Akin
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Bass
Bean
Beauprez
Bilirakis
Blackburn
Bonner
Brady (TX)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Campbell (CA)
Chabot
Chocola
Coble
Cooper
Cubin
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Deal (GA)
Diaz-Balart, M.
Duncan
Everett
Feeney
Flake
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett (NJ)
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Graves
Gutknecht
Harris
Hart
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hoekstra
Hostettler
Hunter
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Keller
King (IA)
Larson (CT)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
LoBiondo
Mack
McCotter
McHenry
McMorris
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Moran (KS)
Myrick
Neugebauer
Norwood
Otter
Paul
Pence
Petri
Pitts
Poe
Price (GA)
Rahall
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Schmidt
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Shadegg
Shimkus
Shuster
Stearns
Sullivan
Tancredo
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
Terry
Tiberi
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Weldon (PA)
Westmoreland
Wilson (SC)
Young (FL)
NOES--300
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Barton (TX)
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blumenauer
Boehner
Bonilla
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson
Carter
Case
Castle
Chandler
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cole (OK)
Conyers
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Tom
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doolittle
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Ferguson
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Foley
Fortenberry
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Gerlach
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gonzalez
Gordon
Granger
Green (WI)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hall
Harman
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hyde
Inslee
Israel
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Maloney
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Ney
Northup
Nunes
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Pickering
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz (PA)
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Sodrel
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Sweeney
Tauscher
Taylor (NC)
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tierney
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
[[Page H3703]]
NOT VOTING--25
Baca
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are reminded 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1413
Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi changed his vote from ``no'' to ``aye.''
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Blumenauer
The CHAIRMAN. The unfinished business is the demand for a recorded
vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Oregon (Mr.
Blumenauer) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which
the noes prevailed by voice vote.
The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. Blumenauer:
In the item relating to ``Development Assistance'', after
the aggregate dollar amount, insert the following:
``(increased by $250,000,000)''.
In the item relating to ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', after the aggregate dollar amount, insert the
following: ``(reduced by $250,000,000)''.
Recorded Vote
The CHAIRMAN. A recorded vote has been demanded.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The CHAIRMAN. This will be a 2-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 182,
noes 224, not voting 26, as follows:
[Roll No. 249]
AYES--182
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Allen
Baird
Baldwin
Barrow
Bartlett (MD)
Bean
Berman
Berry
Bishop (NY)
Blumenauer
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brown (OH)
Brown, Corrine
Butterfield
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Crowley
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dent
Dicks
Doggett
Doyle
Duncan
Ehlers
Emanuel
Engel
Eshoo
Etheridge
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Ford
Frank (MA)
Gerlach
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Gordon
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Hall
Herseth
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Johnson, E. B.
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
Kucinich
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (GA)
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Markey
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum (MN)
McDermott
McGovern
McIntyre
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murtha
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Owens
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Petri
Platts
Pomeroy
Price (NC)
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Rothman
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schwartz (PA)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Shays
Sherman
Simmons
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Solis
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Strickland
Stupak
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Tierney
Towns
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weldon (PA)
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
NOES--224
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Andrews
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Barton (TX)
Bass
Beauprez
Berkley
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boustany
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chandler
Chocola
Coble
Cole (OK)
Cramer
Crenshaw
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Davis (KY)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeLay
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dingell
Doolittle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Emerson
English (PA)
Everett
Feeney
Ferguson
Flake
Foley
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Green (WI)
Gutknecht
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Higgins
Hobson
Hoekstra
Hostettler
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jenkins
Jindal
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Latham
LaTourette
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lowey
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mack
Maloney
Marchant
Marshall
McCaul (TX)
McCotter
McCrery
McHenry
McMorris
Meek (FL)
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Murphy
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Ortiz
Osborne
Otter
Pallone
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Pickering
Pitts
Poe
Pombo
Porter
Price (GA)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Saxton
Schmidt
Schwarz (MI)
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Skelton
Smith (TX)
Snyder
Sodrel
Souder
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Upton
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--26
Baca
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Buyer
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
Announcement by the Chairman
The CHAIRMAN (during the vote). Members are advised 1 minute remains
in this vote.
{time} 1417
So the amendment was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. OBEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
I know people want to get out of here. This is my wedding
anniversary; I do, too. This will take just a moment. Yes, my wife is a
saint. Yes.
I know people want to catch their airplanes. But the gentleman from
Arizona has served 22 years in this House, and this is the last time
that he will be handling a bill on the floor of the House, and I think
that we owe him to take note of that fact.
Mr. Chairman, for 10 years I chaired this subcommittee, and I know
how easy it is to demagogue this subcommittee and the bill that it
handles. And on behalf of every Member on both sides of the aisle, I
want to tell the gentleman that he has done honor to this House and to
each and every Member, because at every moment that I can recall, he
has dealt with the subject matter at hand on the basis of substance,
not politics; he has brought an intellectual quality to his argument
that is very seldom matched. We don't always agree on everything, as
was evidenced by the debate yesterday; but as Will Rogers said, when
two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.
But I just want to say, Jim, good luck in whatever you do, and we
appreciate what you have done for the House and for the country and for
the world in the way you have handled this bill.
Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).
Mrs. LOWEY. For me, it has been a great privilege to work with Jim
Kolbe. And since this is probably the 10th retirement speech that we
have given for Jim Kolbe, I just want to add that he is probably a
person that all of us would agree has the most integrity, wisdom, and
compassion, and for me it is a real, real privilege. But, above all,
Jim Kolbe is the most punctual person I know, so I won't give my 10-
page speech today. Good luck. Congratulations. We love you. And let us
go on.
[[Page H3704]]
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will read the last three lines.
The Clerk read as follows:
This Act may be cited as the ``Foreign Operations, Export
Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2007''.
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, I was going to move to strike the last word
and give a 5-minute speech, but I sense a sense of urgency here. So,
Mr. Chairman, I simply move the committee do now rise and report the
bill. And I thank the Members for their comments.
But let me say, I move that the Committee do now rise and report the
bill back to the House with sundry amendments, with the recommendation
that the amendments be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, do
pass.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Daniel E. Lungren of California) having assumed the chair, Mr.
Thornberry, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under
consideration the bill (H.R. 5522) making appropriations for foreign
operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes, had directed him to
report the bill back to the House with sundry amendments, with the
recommendation that the amendments be agreed to and that the bill, as
amended, do pass.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 851, the
previous question is ordered.
Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment? If not, the Chair will
put them en gros.
The amendments were agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the engrossment and third
reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
Pursuant to clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 373,
nays 34, not voting 25, as follows:
[Roll No. 250]
YEAS--373
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Bachus
Baird
Baldwin
Barrett (SC)
Barrow
Barton (TX)
Bass
Bean
Beauprez
Berkley
Berman
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Boozman
Boren
Boswell
Boucher
Boustany
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (TX)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Buyer
Calvert
Camp (MI)
Campbell (CA)
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carnahan
Carson
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chandler
Chocola
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Cole (OK)
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Cuellar
Culberson
Cummings
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (IL)
Davis (KY)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Doolittle
Doyle
Drake
Dreier
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English (PA)
Eshoo
Etheridge
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Fitzpatrick (PA)
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Frank (MA)
Frelinghuysen
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gohmert
Gonzalez
Gordon
Granger
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Grijalva
Gutknecht
Hall
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth
Higgins
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hyde
Inglis (SC)
Inslee
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jindal
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick (MI)
Kind
King (NY)
Kirk
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuhl (NY)
LaHood
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren, Zoe
Lowey
Lungren, Daniel E.
Lynch
Mack
Maloney
Marchant
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy
McCaul (TX)
McCollum (MN)
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McIntyre
McKinney
McMorris
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Melancon
Mica
Michaud
Millender-McDonald
Miller (MI)
Miller (NC)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore (KS)
Moore (WI)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Neugebauer
Ney
Northup
Nunes
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Owens
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Pence
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Pomeroy
Porter
Price (GA)
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Radanovich
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reichert
Renzi
Reynolds
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Sabo
Salazar
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schmidt
Schwartz (PA)
Schwarz (MI)
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Sodrel
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stearns
Strickland
Stupak
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tauscher
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Towns
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Van Hollen
Velazquez
Visclosky
Walden (OR)
Wamp
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Westmoreland
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--34
Bartlett (MD)
Berry
Davis, Jo Ann
Duncan
Flake
Franks (AZ)
Goode
Goodlatte
Graves
Green (WI)
Hefley
Hostettler
Jenkins
Jones (NC)
Keller
King (IA)
Kucinich
Lucas
Miller (FL)
Moran (KS)
Norwood
Otter
Paul
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pombo
Rahall
Rohrabacher
Ryun (KS)
Sensenbrenner
Stark
Tancredo
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
NOT VOTING--25
Baca
Baker
Becerra
Blunt
Boehlert
Bono
Brady (PA)
Cannon
Conaway
Costello
Davis (FL)
Evans
Gibbons
Gutierrez
Kaptur
Kingston
Manzullo
McHugh
McKeon
Nussle
Oxley
Peterson (PA)
Reyes
Walsh
Watson
{time} 1439
Mr. FRANKS of Arizona changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________