Rep. Gosar Passes Amendment to Prohibit Funds from Going to Terrorists

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after his amendment to halt any funding within the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 15 from being disbursed to states and organizations that pose real threats to the international community successfully passed the House by a vote of 280-133:

“With our federal debt and foreign policy in shambles, it is long past time that this Congress prevents federal dollars going towards organizations and countries who actively work to harm the United States and its interests. My amendment will further hold accountable foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), in addition to those foreign governments who support their efforts. Giving assistance to FTOs is generally outlawed in the U.S. Code, but the Obama Administration time and time again has failed to enforce the laws of this nation. My amendment checks both the President’s lawless behavior in addition to his listless and dangerous foreign policy agenda.

“Iran is possibly the largest known state sponsor of terrorism in the world, and the Obama Administration is throwing out the baby with the bath water in its negotiations with Iran on its nuclear aspirations. Additionally, Syria has been listed as a state sponsor of terrorism since the State Department list was created in 1979. The ongoing atrocities on the ground in Syria should be more than enough to prohibit foreign assistance to this nation.”

Background:

The amendment specifically targets the Governments of Iran and Syria, in addition to the Palestinian Authority/Hamas coalition, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and all FTOs.

Iran and Syria have a long, detailed record of supporting international terrorist networks, including ISIS and Hezbollah.

Recent reports show the Palestinian Authority and Hamas formed a coalition organization—a move which, given Hamas’ record of terrorism, undermines the Middle East peace process. This merger makes the Palestinian Authority at-large a less-than-credible partner in any peace talks.

ISIS has sacked the cities of Tikrit and Mosul in Northern Iraq and now marches on toward Baghdad. Some security and foreign policy experts, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, claim that ISIS “more extreme than even al Qaeda”. 

There is absolutely no merit in appeasing Iran, Syria, the Hamas/Palestinian Authority coalition, or ISIS with U.S. foreign assistance.

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