Congress Watch

June 2006

3/2/2006:
Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1596-1597)

The Legislation:
IFSA renews and strengthens existing sanctions to choke off funds Iran has to pursue nuclear weapons and urges support for democratic forces in Iran.

• After concealing its nuclear program from the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency for nearly 20 years, Iran is fast approaching the point at which it will have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
• A nuclear-armed Iran poses a grave threat to U.S. security and our forces in the Middle East and an existential threat to Israel.
• The Security Council must now use its authority to call on Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and allow for immediate and full inspection of its nuclear sites. If Iran fails to do so, the Security Council must make clear that Iran will face strong economic and political sanctions.

Action:
Urge members to co-sponsor the McConnell-Biden Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act.

The legislation:
The bill sends a strong and clear message to Hamas by banning direct aid and limits indirect assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until the president can certify that the PA is not controlled by a terrorist group and meets a series of other conditions, such as fighting terrorism and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The bill also prohibits official U.S. contacts with members of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas.

• Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the EU, has killed more than 500 people since 1989, including more than two dozen Americans.
• Control of the Palestinian legislature by Hamas – which seeks Israel’s destruction and is committed to violence – is a complete rejection of the very principles that the peace process is based upon.
• Hamas must diarm, renounce and end violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and accept all previous international agreements between Israel and the PA before being seen as a legitimate party.

June 2006

Action:
Urge members to co-sponsor the Iran Freedom Support Act (IFSA). H.R 282, or thank those who have already co-sponsored. Also urge members to place the dangers posed by Iran’s nuclear program at the top of their agenda as the issue moves forwards to the U.N. Security Council.

The Legislation:
IFSA renews and strengthens existing sanctions to choke off funds Iran has to pursue nuclear weapons. The bill also urges support for democratic forces in Iran and calls for American divestment from foreign companies investing in Iran’s petroleum sector.

• After concealing its nuclear program from the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency for nearly 20 years, Iran is fast approaching the point at which it will have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.
• A nuclear-armed Iran poses a grave threat to U.S. security and our forces in the Middle East and an existential threat to Israel.
• The Security Council must now use its authority to call on Iran to cease all uranium enrichment activities and allow for immediate and full inspection of its nuclear sites. If Iran fails to do so, the Security Council must make clear that Iran will face strong economic and political sanctions.

Action:
5/23/2006
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 361 - 37, 9 Present (Roll no. 181).

5/25/2006
Referred to Senate committee: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

The legislation:
The bill sends a strong and clear message to Hamas by banning direct aid and limits indirect assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until the president can certify that the PA is not controlled by a terrorist group and meets a series of other conditions, such as fighting terrorism and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The bill also prohibits official U.S. contacts with members of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Hamas.

• Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the EU, has killed more than 500 people since 1989, including more than two dozen Americans.
• Control of the Palestinian legislature by Hamas – which seeks Israel’s destruction and is committed to violence – is a complete rejection of the very principles that the peace process is based upon.
• Hamas must diarm, renounce and end violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and accept all previous international agreements between Israel and the PA before being seen as a legitimate party.

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United… (Agreed to by Senate)

SRES 240 ATS

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 240

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United Nations member states, and the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 15, 2005

Mr. SANTORUM (for himself, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mr. SMITH, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. BURR, Mr. COBURN, Mr. VITTER, Mr. BUNNING, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. DEWINE, and Mr. BIDEN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding manifestations of anti-Semitism by United Nations member states and urging action against anti-Semitism by United Nations officials, United Nations member states, and the Government of the United States, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, recognizes that `the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world’;

Whereas United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 (1975) concluded that `Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination’ and the General Assembly, by a vote of 111 to 25, only revoked Resolution 3379 in 1991 in response to strong leadership by the United States and after Israel made its participation in the Madrid Peace Conference conditional upon repeal of the resolution;

Whereas during the 1991 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations repeated the outrageous `blood libel’ that Jews allegedly have killed non-Jewish children to make unleavened bread for Passover and, despite repeated interventions by the Governments of Israel and the United States, this outrageous lie was not corrected in the record of the Commission for many months;

Whereas in March 1997, the Palestinian observer at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights made the contemptible charge that the Government of Israel had injected 300 Palestinian children with HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus, the pathogen that causes AIDS) despite the fact that an Egyptian newspaper had printed a full retraction to its earlier report of the same charges, and the President of the Commission failed to challenge this baseless and false accusation despite the request of the Government of Israel that he do so;

Whereas Israel was denied membership in any regional grouping of the United Nations until the year 2000, which prevented it from being a candidate for any elected positions within the United Nations system until that time, and Israel continues to be denied the opportunity to hold a rotating seat on the Security Council and it is the longest-serving member of the United Nations never to have served on the Security Council although it has been a member of the organization for 56 years;

Whereas Israel continues to be denied the opportunity to serve as a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights because it has never been included in a slate of candidates submitted by a regional grouping, and Israel is currently the only member of the Western and Others Group in a conditional status limiting its ability to caucus with its fellow members of this regional grouping;

Whereas the United Nations has permitted itself to be used as a battleground for political warfare against Israel led by Arab states and others, and 6 of the 10 emergency sessions of the United Nations General Assembly have been devoted to criticisms of and attacks against Israel;

Whereas the goals of the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism were undermined by hateful anti-Jewish rhetoric and anti-Israel political agendas, prompting both Israel and the United States to withdraw their delegations from the Conference;

Whereas in 2004, the United Nations Secretary General acknowledged at the first United Nations-sponsored conference on anti-Semitism, that: `It is clear that we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of this phenomenon in new forms and manifestations. This time, the world must not–cannot–be silent.’;

Whereas in 2004, the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee for the first time adopted a resolution on religious tolerance that includes condemnation of anti-Semitism and `recognized with deep concern the overall rise in instances of intolerance and violence directed against members of many religious communities . . . including . . . anti-Semitism . . .’;

Whereas in 2005, the United Nations held an unprecedented session to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp;

Whereas democratic Israel is annually the object of nearly two dozen redundantly critical resolutions in the United Nations General Assembly, which rarely adopts resolutions relating to specific countries; and

Whereas the viciousness with which Israel is attacked and discriminated against at the United Nations should not be allowed to continue unchallenged: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That–

(1) the Senate–

(A) welcomes recent attempts by the United Nations Secretary General to address the issue of anti-Semitism;

(B) calls on the leadership of the United Nations to officially and publicly condemn anti-Semitic statements made at all United Nations meetings and hold accountable United Nations member states that make such statements; and

(C) strongly urges the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to develop and implement education awareness programs about the Holocaust throughout the world as part of an effort to combat the rise in anti-Semitism and racial, religious, and ethnic intolerance; and

(2) it is the sense of the Senate that–

(A) the President should direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to continue working toward further reduction of anti-Semitic language and anti-Israel resolutions;

(B) the President should direct the Secretary of State to report on acts of anti-Semitism at the United Nations and United Nations agencies by member states; and

(C) projects funded through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and United States overseas broadcasts should include efforts to educate Arab and Muslim countries about anti-Semitism, religious intolerance, and incitement to violence.

Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel. (Referred to Senate Committee after being Received from House)

HCON 149 RFS

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 149

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 24, 2005

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 57th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel.

Whereas in May 1948, the State of Israel was established as a sovereign and independent nation;

Whereas the United States was one of the first nations to recognize Israel, only 11 minutes after its creation;

Whereas Israel has provided the opportunity for Jews from all over the world to reestablish their ancient homeland;

Whereas Israel is home to many religious sites which are sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam;

Whereas Israel provided a refuge to Jews who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and the evils committed by the Nazis which were unprecedented in human history;

Whereas the people of Israel have established a unique, pluralistic democracy which includes the freedoms cherished by the people of the United States, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and government by the consent of the governed;

Whereas Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values by regularly holding free and fair elections, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of its citizens;

Whereas Israel has bravely defended itself from attacks repeatedly since independence;

Whereas the Government of Israel has successfully worked with the neighboring Governments of Egypt and Jordan to establish peaceful, bilateral relations;

Whereas, despite the deaths of over one thousand innocent Israelis at the hands of murderous, suicide bombers and other terrorists during the past 4 years, the people of Israel continue to seek peace with their Palestinian neighbors;

Whereas the United States and Israel enjoy a strategic partnership based on shared mutual democratic values, friendship, and respect;

Whereas the people of the United States share affinity with the people of Israel and view Israel as a strong and trusted ally; and

Whereas Israel has made significant global contributions in the fields of science, medicine, and technology: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress–

(1) recognizes the independence of the State of Israel as a significant event in providing refuge and a national homeland for the Jewish people;

(2) praises the efforts of President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to create the conditions for peace in the Middle East;

(3) commends the bipartisan commitment of all United States administrations and United States Congresses since 1948 to stand by Israel and work for its security and well-being; and

(4) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to the people of Israel as they celebrate the 57th anniversary of Israel’s independence.

Passed the House of Representatives May 23, 2005.

Attest:

JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.

Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2005 (Introduced in House)

HR 505 IH

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 505

To prohibit assistance to Saudi Arabia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2005

Mr. WEINER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To prohibit assistance to Saudi Arabia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Prohibit Aid to Saudi Arabia Act of 2005′.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) More than 50 percent of the funding for Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, comes from Saudi Arabia.

(2) In its June 2004 report entitled `Update on the Global Campaign Against Terrorist Financing’, the Council on Foreign Relations reported that `We find it regrettable and unacceptable that since September 11, 2001, we know of not a single Saudi donor of funds to terrorist groups who has been publicly punished.’.

(3) Abu Zubaydah, an al Qaeda operative, admitted to his American interrogators that al Qaeda had struck a deal with the Saudi Royal Family to desist from violence in exchange for Saudi financing.

(4) On May 29, 2004, Saudi security forces allowed 16 kidnappers to escape at a residential compound in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, after killing 16 westerners.

(5) Al Qaeda terrorists who kidnapped and killed American contractor Paul Johnson used official police uniforms and vehicles received from sympathetic Saudi police officials.

(6) Saudi Arabia denied United States officials access to several suspects in the custody of the Government of Saudi Arabia, including a Saudi Arabian citizen in detention for months who had knowledge of extensive plans to inject poison gas in the New York City subway system.

(7) The Saudi Royal Family has provided cash payments in the amount of $5,333 to each family of `martyrs’ killed while trying to murder Israelis.

(8) Saudi Arabia is the center of Wahhabism, the ultra-purist, jihadist form of Islam followed by members of Al Qaeda.

(9) In November 2004, 26 leading Saudi Wahhabi clerics publicly incited the Iraqi people to fight against United States Armed Forces in Iraq.

(10) The Saudi Royal Family has wholly or partly funded 210 Islamic Centers, 1,500 mosques, 202 colleges, and 2,000 schools in countries without Muslim majorities.

(11) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has reported that Saudi Arabian Government-funded textbooks used both in Saudi Arabia and also in North American Islamic schools and mosques have been found to encourage incitement to violence against non-Muslims.

(12) Khaled bin Ouda bin Mohammed al-Harby, the terrorist who is linked to Osama bin Laden and the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, returned to Saudi Arabia under an amnesty program in June 2004, and remains in that country, a free man.

(13) In March 2004, a group of Saudi reformers calling for a constitutional monarchy were imprisoned and are still awaiting trial.

(14) In September 2004, the Government of Saudi Arabia issued an edict banning most working Saudis from questioning the policies of the Saudi Arabian Government.

(15) The Government of Saudi Arabia has sought to acquire nuclear weaponry from Pakistan.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON FUNDING FOR SAUDI ARABIA.

No funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to an Act making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs may be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance or reparations to Saudi Arabia. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the prohibition on obligations or expenditures shall include direct loans, credits, insurance, and guarantees of the Export-Import Bank of the United States or its agents.