Congressional Hearings/Resolutions

Defeat of Goodling Amendment: A Victory for India

House of Representatives
July 21, 1999

The Goodling Amendment, defeated in the House on July 21, 1999 by a vote of 169-256, would have prohibited foreign military assistance (but not humanitarian aid or developmental assistance) to countries (like India) which failed to support the U.S. at least 25% of the time in the U.N. General Assembly.

In a "dear colleague" letter sent to all 435 lawmakers in the House prior to the voting, Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and James C. Greenwood (R-PA), Cochairmen of the India and Indian-American Caucus, said

We do not believe that a nation's voting record on recorded votes in the UN is a fair way to assess whether a country shares our values or our positions in the General Assembly. In the General Assembly, 78% of resolutions were adopted by consensus and when those votes are taken into consideration, India supports the U.S. position 84.2% of the time; on votes designated as important by the State Department, India's voting coincidents with the U.S., including consensus, is 75%. Unlike Libya, Laos, Viet Nam, Syria, Cuba and North Korea, countries similarly affected by the Amendment, and that have consistently demonstrated their hostility toward U.S. interests, India has sought to expand relations with the U.S. on a broad range of economic, security and cultural issues.

India clearly does not belong in the company of these other nations targeted by this ill-advised proposal.

The Ackerman-Greenwood letter added: "India is a thriving sister democracy, which has recently celebrated its 50th year of independence. There is much in common that we share with the world's most populous democracy. There are many issues that bind our relations with India, including the important contributions made by the well-educated and productive Indian-American community. U.S. assistance to India, and elsewhere, serves our national interests and is provided because it promotes our policy ends, not because it is a reward."

After the floor vote, Rep. Ackerman issued a statement: "We were privileged once again in being victorious over those who are senselessly bashing India for whatever reason of their own."

He added: "The irony of this Amendment was that it would penalize India while holding Pakistan harmless at a time when the world community had just caught Pakistan red-handed in the commission of terrorist acts and acts of aggression, while India conducted itself in a statesmanlike fashion using admirable restraint as a nuclear power. Because of our efforts, members (of the House) understood this reality and helped us in defeating this shortsighted amendment."

In his extended remarks, Rep. Ackerman said: "India is making continued progress on human rights and even with successive coalition governments, is pursuing economic liberalization which will promote economic growth and provide U.S. companies with economic opportunity."

Voting record on Goodling Amendment:

Rejected: 256 (Democrats-201; Republicans-54; Independent-1)
In favor: 169 (Republicans-161; Democrats-8)
Not participating: 9 (Republicans-7; Democrats-2)

see how your Rep voted