TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending February 3, 2006

S.CON.RES.79 A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that no US assistance should be given to the Palestinian Authority in the wake of the Palestinian elections that placed the Hamas party in power.

Hamas, although known for humanitarian efforts towards Palestinians, is defined by the US State Department as a terrorist group. Hamas has established the destruction of the State of Israel as a goal thereby putting it at odds with US foreign policy.

Although the US is not in a position to object to the Palestinian’s election results it does insist that Hamas reverse its stance against Israel if it wants continued aid from the US. Prior to the recent elections Congress passed a Resolution insisting that Hamas be excluded from the elections. US aid to the Palestinians averages around $500,000 thus far.

The Resolution does not state that it applies specifically to Hamas but the Resolution states in detail that aid should be prohibited to “any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel” thereby identifying Hamas.

Sponsor: Rep. John Thune (R-SD)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent Feb. 1, 2006. Passed House 418 to 1 Feb. 16 2005 (RC 10)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

## All Rights Reserved. © 2006 TheWeekInCongress.com

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.

MORE INFORMATION

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel.

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel.

## All Rights Reserved. © 2006 TheWeekInCongress.com.

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.