House Passes Bill Denying U.S. Funds To Terrorist-Run Palestinan Government

House Passes Bill Denying U.S. Funds To Terrorist-Run Palestinan Government

The House on Tuesday approved bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Congressman Brad Sherman to end all direct aid to the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority until Hamas renounces violence and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

"Hamas ran on a platform of ethnic cleansing and genocide, pushing all Jews in the Middle East into the Mediterranean. They won on that platfom, and for us to see dollars going to a regime which is bent on ethnic cleansing and genocide would be absolutely absurd," Congressman Brad Sherman said.

"This legislation ensures that necessary humanitarian assistance is still able to reach the Palestinian people, while keeping American taxpayer dollars out of the hands of terrorists," he added.

Sherman joined with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and others in introducing the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act. The House today approved the measure 361 to 37. Similar legislation is currently under consideration by the Senate. "My fear is that the Senate will ultimately pass a weaker bill than we did in the House today," commented Sherman, who had fought to strengthen the House bill further in committee.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca27_sherman/pr_060523.html