U.S. lawmaker blocks money for Palestinian forces

[Eugene]

(Reuters)

U.S. lawmaker blocks money for Palestinian forces
13 Feb 2007 23:28:21 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A Bush administration request for $86 million
in U.S. funds to help train and equip Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's
security forces is being blocked by a U.S. lawmaker who has concerns about
how the money might be used.

"Early last week, I placed a hold on the $86 million," Rep. Nita Lowey, a New
York Democrat, told Reuters on Tuesday. "It is imperative that we have a
fuller understanding of exactly what the funding is for and what the situation
is on the ground," said Lowey, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee,
which controls U.S. funding for domestic and foreign projects.

While Lowey said she had acted to hold up the money before last week's deal
between Abbas and Hamas leaders to form a unity government, that agreement
"raised additional questions."

Lowey said she has asked the State Department to provide more information
on how the $86 million would be used.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13230739.htm

[Joffan]

1. She must be psychic...

since the unity government deal is looking a bit shaky at present

[calzone]

2. Very foolish, and shortsighted

Saying she's worried about how the lousy 86 mil will be spent is complete rubbish.
Her voting record seems to be a careful, finger-in-the-air type, she does what she thinks might be popular at the moment. She has voted consistently over the years for programs to bring about regime change in Iraq (illegal) and voted to authorize military force against Iraq. She also supported the Patriot act several times, then changed her mind when it started getting criticism.
86 mil is pocket change. It's only a symbolic gesture. I guess she'd rather keep America on the outside of world diplomacy. Heck, she must figure, the world hates us anyway.

[bemildred]

3. I had no idea congresspersons had this much power.

Does this mean congresspersons can hold up spending in Iraq? I just had no idea a lowly congressperson could tell the pResident what to do like this.