Congressional Statements

Pallone to Introduce Legislation to Block Waiver of Pressler

Press Release
October 14, 1999

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, today announced that he is drafting legislation to prevent the Administration from waiving the Pressler Amendment prohibition on U.S. military assistance to Pakistan.

Pallone said he plans to introduce the legislation as a freestanding bill next week. He will also search for another legislative vehicle to which the Pressler waiver prohibition could be attached as an amendment.

"The intent of my legislation is essentially to return to the status quo on the Pressler Amendment," Pallone said. "I believe Congress made a mistake in granting the President waiver authority over Pressler. My legislation would restore the sound and sensible American policy of not providing arms to Pakistan.

"Particularly in light of this week's military coup in Pakistan, it is unacceptable to consider arms transfers to Pakistan. Of course, there was never any good justification for waiving Pressler. But now, in light of this week's developments in Pakistan, I hope there will be renewed sentiment in the Congress for keeping the Pressler Amendment in force."

This week, the fiscal year 2000 Defense Appropriations Conference Report was approved by the House of Representatives. It contains provisions giving the President broad waiver authority over several sanctions against India and Pakistan, including the Pressler Amendment.

Pallone spoke on the House floor during Wednesday's debate on Defense Appropriations, sharply criticizing the Pressler waiver, while praising the action on extending the waiver for the Glenn Amendment economic sanctions against India and Pakistan.

Text of Pallone's Pressler Waiver Bill

HR 3095 IH
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3095

To remove the waiver authority for the prohibition on military assistance to Pakistan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 18, 1999

Mr. PALLONE (for himself and Mr. SAXTON) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

A BILL

To remove the waiver authority for the prohibition on military assistance to Pakistan.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR PROHIBITION
ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN.

Section 9001(a) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 is amended--
by inserting `or' before `section 2(b)(4)'; and
by striking `, or section 620E(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 2375(e))'.H.L.C.
COSPONSORS(3):
Rep Saxton, Jim - 10/18/99
Rep Brown, Sherrod - 10/20/99
Rep McCollum, Bill - 10/20/99