Washington Report on Middle East Affairs \| Telling the Truth for 30 Years

April/May 1992, Page 20

Special Report

House Voting Record for 1990-91

By Allan C. Kellum

This voting record includes some of the key Mideast-related decisions-votes, resolutions and letters-made by all current U.S. representatives over the past two years.

What follows is a brief description of each House decision, along with a chart listing the voting records of each member on these 14 issues. The number of each description below corresponds to the number in the voting record key in the chart on the following page.

1. Vote to Cut Foreign Aid, Including $400 Million in Israeli Housing Guarantees

On April 3, 1990, this vote failed by a vote of 38 yeas to 379 nays. This vote on an amendment by Rep. Rahall (D-WV) was to cut all foreign aid portions of the FY 1990 Supplemental Appropriations/Foreign Aid Bill (H.R. 4404). That portion of the bill included $400 million in housing loan guarantees for Israel. Later, the House rejected two Rep. Traficant (D-OH) amendments-one for a 5 percent reduction (64-354) and one a 3 percent cut-back (72-346). A Rep. Savage (D-IL) amendment to cut resettlement funds for refugees to Israel lost (2-418).

2. Vote for Passage of Aid Including $400 Million in Israeli Loan Guarantees

This vote was for passage of the FY 1990 Supplemental Appropriations/Foreign Aid Bill (H.R. 4404) which included $400 million in Israeli housing loan guarantees. On April 3, 1990, this measure passed by a vote of 362 yeas to 59 nays.

3. Vote Declaring Sense That Jerusalem Is Israel's Undivided Capital

This vote was for passage of a sense of Congress resolution (H. Con. Res. 290) which declared that Jerusalem is and should remain Israel's undivided capital and that all people and religions should have free and open access to it. On April 24, 1990, this measure passed by a vote of 378 yeas to 34 nays.

4. Vote Opposing Linkage of Iraqi and Israeli Occupations

This vote was for adoption of a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 382) expressing the sense of Congress that resolution of the crisis created by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait should not be linked with other Mideast conflicts (that is, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict). On Oct. 23, 1990, this measure passed by a vote of 406 yeas to 5 nays, with 1 present.

5. Vote Giving View that Congress Must Consent Before U.S. Offensive

This was the first vote of three that culminated in the authorization of the use of U.S. military force against Iraq. This vote was for the adoption of a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 32) stating the sense of Congress that, according to the U.S. Constitution, the president must gain approval of Congress before initiating offensive military action against Iraq. On Jan. 12, 1991, this measure passed by a vote of 302 yeas to 131 nays.

6. Vote Expressing View that International Sanctions Are Best Used in Iraq

This vote was on a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 33) which advocated international sanctions and diplomatic pressure as the best means of pressuring Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait. It also states that the president must gain the approval of Congress before launching offensive military action. On Jan. 12, 1991, this measure failed by a vote of 183 yeas to 250 nays.

7. Vote Authorizing Use of U.S. Force Against Iraq

This was for passage of the joint resolution (H. J. Res. 77) that authorized the use of U.S. military force against Iraq in order to force its withdrawal from Kuwait. On Jan. 12, 1991, this measure passed by a vote of 250 yeas to 183 nays.

8. Resolution for U.S. to Pressure Arab Recognition of Israel

This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 88) was not brought to a vote. The resolution states that the U.S. should use all means to urge Arab countries to recognize Israel, to end the economic boycott of Israel, and to end the state of belligerency with Israel. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lowey (D-NY) were the prime sponsors of this resolution. On March 5, 1991, this resolution was introduced and garnered at least 117 sponsors and co-sponsors.

9. Vote to Eliminate $650 Million in Israeli Aid to Offset Gulf War Cost

This amendment to the FY 1991 Supplemental Appropriations for Israeli Aid (H.R. 1281) was sponsored by Congressman Valentine of North Carolina. It was to eliminate the $650 million in aid that was earmarked for Israel. These funds were to offset costs to Israel that were associated with the war to force Iraq out of Kuwait. On March 7, 1991, this measure failed by a vote of 24 yeas to 397 nays.

10. Letter to Pres. Bush Urging Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to Recognize Israel

This letter to President George Bush asked the president to put official recognition of Israel by the member nations of the Arab League at the very top of his Middle East peace agenda. The letter, initiated by New York Congressman Schumer and Minnesota Congressman Weber, referred to the Arab states' continued official state of war with Israel as the "major stumbling block preventing true peace." This letter, dated March 13, 1991, was signed by 243 representatives.

11. Vote for Passage of FY 1992 Foreign Operations Appropriations

This vote was for final passage of the FY 1992 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2621) which provided more than $15 billion in foreign economic and military aid. Since Israel is the largest and Egypt the second largest recipient of foreign aid funds, this is a "Mideast vote," although those who supported it may have done so for a variety of reasons. On June 19, 1991, this bill passed by a vote of 301 yeas to 102 nays.

12. Vote to Link Aid to Israel With Israeli Settlement Freeze

This is an amendment by Rep. Bryant of Texas to block $82.5 million in funds for Israel in the FY 1992-93 Foreign Aid Authorization Bill (H.R. 2508) unless the president certifies that Israel is no longer funding new and expanded settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. On June 19, 1991, this measure failed by a vote of 44 yeas to 378 nays.

13. Vote to Prohibit Aid to Jordan Unless Jordan Meets Several Conditions

This vote was the final vote in a series of four on amendments to place conditions on U.S. aid to Jordan in the FY 1992-93 Foreign Aid Authorization Bill (H.R. 2508). This amendment by Indiana Congressman Burton prohibits aid to Jordan unless the president certifies that Jordanian aid is in the national interest unless Jordan recognizes Israel's right to exist, and unless Jordan joins in negotiations with Israel. On June 19, 1991, this measure passed by a vote of 410 yeas to 4 nays.

14. Vote Commending the Middle East Peace Conference Participants

This vote passed unanimously. It is a vote on a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 226) presented by Congressman Owens of Utah to commend all of the Middle East peace conference participants. On Nov. 21, 1991, this resolution passed unanimously, 426 yeas with no nays.

Allan C. Kellum, founder and for eight years editor of the Mideast Observer, which is now incorporated into this publication, consults and writes on federal and international development issues in the national capital area.

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