Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, October 2003, pages 22-23

Congress Watch

 

House Passes Money Bills Before Congress Breaks for August Recess

 

By Shirl McArthur

Before both houses of Congress departed for their August recess, the House managed to pass all four of the money bills of interest to the Middle East: the Foreign Relations Authorization bill (H.R. 1950), and the appropriations bills for Defense (H.R. 2658), Foreign Operations (H.R. 2800), and the departments of Commerce, Justice and State (H.R. 2799).Of these, however, the Senate has passed only the Defense appropriations bill—and even that one has not yet emerged from the conference committee reconciling the House and Senate versions.

But perhaps the most interesting money development is the report, first reported Aug. 3 by Israeli Ha'aretz columnist Ze'ev Schiff and subsequently picked up by the major media, that the State Department is preparing a proposal for President George W. Bush's approval that would reduce the amount of Israel's loan guarantees dollar for dollar for the amounts that Israel spends on the separation wall east of the Green Line. This already has provoked letters of outrage from members of Congress, and there no doubt will be more upon their return to Washington in September.So far, Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD) reportedly either have sent or are sending letters to Bush urging him not to reduce the loan guarantees, and Sens. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Hoyer have publicly protested. Schumer was quoted by the Jewish publication The Forward as saying, "Congress will do everything in its power to ensure that these loan guarantees are not held up." Earlier, on July 22, Reps. Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) wrote to Bush expressing their support "for the security fence."

 

Authorization Bill: Extra Goodies

The most significant of the four bills is the Foreign Relations Authorization bill, because of some of the extra goodies that were tacked onto it. The bill authorizes the expected amounts of aid for Israel and Egypt and includes the same provisions "with respect to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel" that were in the authorization bill last year, which Bush said he would ignore because they were an unconstitutional infringement on executive powers. It also includes the same section as in last year's bill, saying the U.S. "should assist its ally, Israel, in its efforts to establish diplomatic relations" with other countries. The section includes the questionable "finding" that Israel's security "is vital to regional stability and United States interests."

 

"Congress will do everything in its power to ensure that these [Israeli] loan guarantees are not held up."

The bill also still includes the "Israeli-Palestinian Peace Enhancement Act," which was added in the International Relations Committee by Lantos, the ranking committee Democrat and the leader of the Israel-first clique in the House. This act was described in great detail in the July/August issue of the Washington Report. Briefly, it would support the establishment of a Palestinian state, authorize a large U.S. aid program for the new state, and call for the president to encourage a multilateral aid effort.But this would happen only after the president certifies to Congress that a peace agreement exists between the Palestinians and Israel and that the new Palestinian government has complied with an eight-item list of requirements that include holding democratic elections, and renouncing terrorism and the incitement to "acts against the state of Israel and its citizens." On the positive side, as passed the section still includes the "finding" that "a stable and peaceful Palestinian state is necessary to achieve the security that Israel longs for, and Israel should take concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable, credible Palestinian state."

An addition to the authorization bill is the "Sense of Congress concerning United States Assistance to Palestinian Refugees." This section begins with a recognition that humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees is "an essential component to the peace process." However, the section quickly degenerates into an attack on the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), "which makes no effort to permanently resettle Palestinian refugees." It expresses "outrage over credible reports that UNRWA facilities have been used for terrorist training and bases for terrorist operations," and accuses the UNRWA educational system of using textbooks and educational materials "that promote anti-Semitism, denial of the existence and the right to exist of the state of Israel, and exacerbate stereotypes and tensions between the Palestinians and Israelis." Finally, the section urges the U.N. secretary-general to take steps to reform UNRWA, urges the U.S. secretary of state to make reform of UNRWA an urgent priority, and encourages the U.S. General Accounting Office to investigate recent U.S. assistance to UNRWA "to ensure that taxpayer funds are being spent effectively and are not directly or indirectly supporting terrorism, anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish teachings, or the glorification or incitement of violence."

Also added to the bill, as a result of an amendment proposed by Rep. Philip Crane (R-IL), is a section almost identical to H.Con.Res. 119, the resolution introduced by Lantos condemning attacks on "U.S. citizens" in Israel and the West Bank by Palestinians.Lantos introduced his resolution to counter the resolution expressing condolences to the family of Rachel Corrie after she was murdered by the Israeli army in Palestine.(See below.) In H.Con.Res. 119 the "statement of policy" "demands" that the Palestinian Authority work with Israel to protect innocent individuals, but this is softened in the authorization bill to "calls on" the PA to do so.

Another new section is the "Statement of Policy Relating to Democracy in Iran." This has been called a pared-down version of the "Iran Democracy" bills introduced in the Senate (S. 1082) by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and in the House (H.R. 2466) by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), and described in detail in the previous issue of this magazine. However, this version has been so "pared down" as to be nearly innocuous. It simply notes that "Iran is neither free nor democratic," and is cited in the State Department's terrorism report as being "the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2002." It concludes by saying the U.S. "supports transparent, full democracy in Iran" and "the rights of the Iranian people to choose their system of government," and condemns "the brutal treatment, imprisonment and torture of Iranian civilians expressing political dissent."

However, congressional Iran-bashing continues, and Brownback and Sherman continue to add co-sponsors to S. 1082 and H.R. 2466.S. 1092 has three new co-sponsors, for a total of 13, counting Brownback. They are Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Tim Johnson (D-SD), and Gordon Smith (R-OR).H.R. 2466 has nine new co-sponsors, for a total of 22, including Sherman. They are Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Brad Carson (D-OK), Danny Davis (D-IL), Michael Doyle (D-PA), Harold Ford (D-TN), Lantos, Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Dave Weldon (R-FL), and Robert Wexler (D-FL).

 

Appropriations Bills: Few Surprises

The Foreign Operations (foreign aid) appropriations bill (H.R. 2800) passed by the House July 24 earmarks the expected $2.64 billion for Israel ($480 million in economic aid and $2.16 billion in military aid) and $1.875 billion for Egypt ($575 million in economic aid and $1.3 billion in military aid), with the provision allowing $568 million of Israel's military aid (about 26 percent) to be spent in Israel. In addition the bill earmarks $250 million in economic aid for Jordan and $35 million for Lebanon, of which not less than $4 million should be for American educational institutions. The bill does not specifically appropriate the expected $50 million in "refugee assistance" for Israel, but the report language accompanying the bill supports that it be provided. Similarly, the bill does not specifically appropriate any military aid for Jordan, but the report language urges that $206 million be provided. Other report language directs USAID to provide up to $20 million for the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program.

The bill also includes a section called "Palestinian Statehood," which is identical to the same section included in the FY '03 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed last February and described in detail in the April issue of this magazine. The section says that no funds may be provided to support a Palestinian state unless the secretary of state certifies to Congress that (1) the new leadership has been democratically elected through credible and competitive elections; and (2) the elected governing entity has demonstrated a commitment to peaceful coexistence with Israel, is taking measures to counter terrorism, has established a security entity that is cooperating with Israeli security organizations, and "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." The section includes full presidential waiver authority, plus an "exemption" that says this restriction shall not apply to assistance intended to help reform the PA or a newly elected governing entity to help it meet these requirements.

Both the House and the Senate have passed their respective versions of the Defense appropriations bill, H.R. 2658.Both versions include more than $200 million for so-called "joint U.S.-Israel military projects," although the exact numbers vary and will have to be ironed out in the conference committee reconciling the two versions. Projects to be funded include the Arrow missile, the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (designed to destroy incoming missiles), the Litening Targeting Pod, Bradley Reactive Armor, and the Counter-Terrorism Technical Working Group. Interestingly, neither version provides the $30 million for upgrading the Harpoon missile that Israel requested.

As passed by the House, the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments appropriations bill is relatively clean of extraneous provisions. It has only three general provisions for the State Department, only one of which affects the Middle East. This is the standard provision prohibiting any form of assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.

 

Capps/Ackerman/Berman Letter Supports Direct Aid to PA

In mid-July the unlikely combination of Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA), Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Howard Berman (D-CA) initiated a letter to President Bush expressing their support for the decision to provide $20 million in direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority. (Capps was one of the originators of the May 20 letter to Bush applauding his release of the "road map." Ackerman and Berman, however, have been among Israel's strongest supporters in the House.) The letter says the signers believe the aid will strengthen Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, enhance his ability to achieve an end to terror, provide the Palestinian people with tangible benefits, and help them "confront their pressing humanitarian needs." The letter was signed by 71 representatives, whose names can be found in the box below.

 

"Syria Accountability" Bill: Still Rolling Along

The "Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act," which aims to "hold Syria accountable for the serious international security problems it has caused in the Middle East," and which was described in detail in the June Washington Report, continues to gain co-sponsors. The House bill, H.R. 1828, now has 254 co-sponsors, a gain of 48 since those listed in previous issues of this magazine. The new co-sponsors' names also can be found in the box below.

The companion bill, S. 982, introduced in the Senate by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on May 1, now has 72 co-sponsors, an increase of 19 over those listed in the previous issue. Those 19senators also are named in the box below.

 

Rachel Corrie Resolution

The resolution expressing sympathy for the loss of Rachel Corrie in Rafah, H.Con.Res. 111, continues to pick up new co-sponsors, but at a slower rate. The resolution has six new co-sponsors, for a total of 47.New co-sponsors are Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ray LaHood (R-IL), and Ed Markey (D-MA).

Shirl McArthur, a retired foreign service officer, is a consultant in the Washington, DC area.

SIDEBAR

 

Signers to Capps/Ackerman/Berman Letter

The 71 members of the House who signed the letter to President Bush supporting his decision to provide $20 million in direct aid to the PA were Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Brian Baird (D-WA), Doug Bereuter (R-NE), Howard Berman (D-CA), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Lois Capps (D-CA), Julia Carson (D-IN), William Clay (D-MO), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Randy Cunningham (R-CA), Artur Davis (D-AL), Jim Davis (D-FL), Susan Davis (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), William Delahunt (D-MA), John Dingell (D-MI), Calvin Dooley (D-CA), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Gene Green (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jane Harman (D-CA), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Amo Houghton (R-NY), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Jesse Jackson (D-IL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Ron Kind (D-WI), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Jim Leach (R-IA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Robert Matsui (D-CA), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA), Jim Moran (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), David Price (D-NC), Nick Rahall (D-WV), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Shays (R-CT), Vic Snyder (D-AR), Hilda Solis (D-CA), John Spratt (D-SC), Pete Stark (D-CA), Mark Udall (D-CO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Melvin Watt (D-NC), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and Albert Wynn (D-MD).

 

"Syria Accountability" Bills Gain House, Senate Co-Sponsors

The 48 new cosponsors of H.R. 1828 are Reps. Todd Akin (R-MO), Gresham Barrett (R-SC), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Marion Berry (D-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mary Bono (R-CA), John Boozman (R-AR), Henry Brown (R-SC), Richard Burr (R-NC), Dave Camp (R-MI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ed Case (D-HI), Michael Castle (R-DE), Howard Coble (R-NC), Mac Collins (R-GA), Cooper, Jim Davis, Susan Davis, Chet Edwards (D-TX), Ernie Fletcher (R-KY), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), James Greenwood (R-PA), Doc Hastings (R-WA), Joel Hefley (R-CO), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Walter Jones (R-NC), Jack Kingston (R-GA), Ron Lewis (R-KY), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Jim Marshall (D-GA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Sue Myrick (R-NC), George Nethercutt (D-WA), Norton, Charlie Norwood (R-GA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Joseph Pitts (R-PA), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Tim Ryan, Bobby Scott (D-VA), Bill Shuster (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Tom Udall (D-NM).

In the senate, the 19 new cosponsors ofS. 982 are Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Conrad Burns (R-MT), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Michael DeWine (R-OH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI), Trent Lott (R-MS), John McCain (R-AZ), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

—S.M.

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