Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 And 2011

Floor Speech

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chair, during consideration of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, I voted for the Royce amendment regarding Eritrea. I know that Eritrea is sending a diplomatic delegation to the United States at the present time, and that sensitive negotiations are taking place in the region. It is my hope that Eritrea will dramatically change its policies as a result of this diplomatic action, and designation of Eritrea as a State Sponsor would be unnecessary. Had this provision been adopted in the House, it could have been (and would have been) removed from the bill in conference should such a change of policy come about. Therefore, I felt that the amendment was worthy of support at this stage of the legislative process notwithstanding the legitimate concerns raised by opponents of the amendment.

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