Department Of State, Foreign Operations, And Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. It's important to get the facts out as to what this foreign assistance is. This is simply American-to-Saudi joint military training. This is an opportunity for Americans and Saudis to work in concert so that we can continue to build a bridge with our historic ally so that we can be in a better position to influence Saudi society and we can learn from them what they have to offer.

The fact is that this particular amendment does not bring America safety, doesn't bring it security. It brings it the opposite.

This new administration, this new Congress is about opening a new era of foreign policy, a new page in diplomacy that is smarter, more respectful of other countries, more appreciative of our allies. Saudi Arabia is one of the most important allies in the Middle East.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is one who proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, which has recently been endorsed by the Arab League. President Obama himself expressed support for this initiative in the early days of his Presidency.

I would go on, but I do want to yield time to a distinguished Member from Florida, Congressman Crenshaw, who is here today to offer his views on why this amendment is not good.

Before I yield to the gentleman, let me say that the 2008 U.S. State Department Country Report on Terrorism praised Saudi Arabia in Saudi counterterrorism practices, credited Saudi cooperation with U.S. counterterrorism efforts as significant, and characterized Saudi anti-extremism initiatives as aggressive, directly contrary to the gentleman from New York's representation of what Saudi Arabia is doing.

I urge Members not to perpetuate prejudice, but to try to build a bridge of understanding with the rest of the world.

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