[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1389-E1390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2010 AND 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 2410) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the 
     Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the 
     Foreign Service, and for other purposes:

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chair, H.R. 2410, the Foreign Affairs 
Authorization, has several laudable provisions that would improve our 
national security and our country's standing in the world. But it 
includes language that grants Congressional endorsement of preemptive 
war against Iran.
  The provision in question says ``It is the sense of Congress that 
Israel has the inalienable right to defend itself in the face of an 
imminent nuclear or military threat from Iran . . .'' Among the lessons 
that should have been learned from the war in Iraq is that preemptive 
war based on an imminent threat (real or perceived) is a violation of 
recognized rights under international law and undermines a nation's 
standing in the international community. Rather than recognizing 
Israel's right to self defense against an imminent attack, a right 
recognized by international law, this bill contains language that 
supports preemptive war against a threat. A war with Iran is not in 
Israel's best interest, it is not in the United States best interest, 
and it is not in the world's

[[Page E1390]]

best interest. The provision undermines the establishment of peace in 
the Middle East.
  I do not make the decision to oppose the full legislation lightly. It 
has important provisions. The additional resources authorized by this 
bill are necessary to make up for a history of drastic underfunding and 
inattention to diplomacy. This bill highlights our commitment to a new 
diplomatic strategy as our nation strives to heal the wounds between 
our country and the world.
  It authorizes additional funding to train and deploy 1,500 additional 
Foreign Service Officers. It commits $1.8 billion for fiscal year 2010, 
as well as the necessary funds in 2011 to fulfill our assessed 
contributions to international organizations such as the United 
Nations. The bill will create an additional 25 positions at the 
Department of State for arms control and nonproliferation. Creation of 
the Rotation Program will help to strengthen interagency cooperation 
toward nuclear abolition.
  The bill requires that the State Department investigate the 
humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the atrocities associated with an 
occupation that compromises the health and dignity of the Palestinian 
people. I am hopeful that the report will allow the U.S. to credibly 
claim a commitment to engage in a more even handed and diplomacy 
oriented foreign policy.
  I do not agree with inclusion of Section 822 of the bill, which 
reduces the number of Congressional notifications about arms transfers 
between the U.S. government and the governments of other nations. For 
example, a Congressional notification is currently required for the 
transfer of major defense equipment sales valued at $14 million or 
more. With enactment of this section, the threshold will be raised to 
$25 million or greater. As such, the trigger for Congressional review 
will happen less often.
  Furthermore, I oppose the increased funding levels for the Merida 
Initiative and expansion of this flawed program to the Caribbean 
countries. Time and again, research has demonstrated that illicit drug 
production in developing countries stems from pervasive rural poverty 
and lack of sustainable sources of income. More money for guns and 
other tools of destruction will do nothing to ease the suffering of 
those struggling with addiction or alleviate the social problems that 
compel people to produce and/or traffic drugs.
  This body must take measurable actions to replace policies of 
aggression with policies of dialogue, adherence to international law 
and an unwavering dedication to the protection of human rights. By 
including the provision that paves the way for preemptive war against 
Iran, this bill continues the failed policies of the previous 
administration. Therefore, I could not vote for it.

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