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Legislative Roundup - July 21, 2006

I. Hamas/Hezbollah Resolutions II. APN on Hamas/Hezbollah Resolutions III. Also on the Hill

APN Legislative Round-Up for the week ending July 21, 2006

I. Hamas/Hezbollah Resolutions
II. APN on Hamas/Hezbollah Resolutions
III. Also on the Hill

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I. HAMAS/HIZBALLAH RESOLUTIONS ============================

S. Res. 534: Introduced 7/18/2006 by Senate Majority Leader Frist (R-TN) and 61 cosponsors, "condemning Hezbollah and Hamas and their state sponsors and supporting Israel's exercise of its right to self- defense." On 7/18/2006 the resolution was submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by voice vote (no recorded roll call vote).

H. Res. 921: Introduced 7/18/2006 by House Majority Leader Boehner (R-TN), along with House International Relations Committee Chair Hyde (R-IL) and Ranking Minority Member Lantos (D-CA), "Condemning the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holding terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and for other purposes." Raised under suspension of the rules and debated on the House floor on 7/19/06, and passed on 7/20/06 by a roll call vote of 410-8, with 4 voting "present" and 10 not voting. Full details of the vote can be seen at: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml

H. Res. 922: Introduced 7/18/2006 by Rep. Ackerman (D-NY) and five cosponsors, "Condemning cross-border terrorism against Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah and the complicity in these acts of terrorist aggression by Syria and Iran." Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

H. Res. 923: Introduced 7/18/2006 by Rep. Shaw (R-FL) and no cosponsors, "Condemning the recent attacks against the State of Israel." Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

H. Con. Res. 450: Introduced 7/19/06 by Rep. Kucinich (D-OH) and 23 cosponsors, "Calling on the President to appeal to all sides in the current crisis in the Middle East for an immediate cessation of violence and to commit United States diplomats to multi- party negotiations with no pre-conditions." Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

H. Res. 926: Introduced 7/19/2006 by Rep. Issa (R-CA) and no cosponsors, "Condemning the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers by Hamas and Hezbollah, affirming the right of Israel to conduct operations to secure the kidnapped soldiers, urging all parties to protect innocent life and civilian infrastructure, and for other purposes." Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.


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II. APN ON HAMAS/HEZBOLLAH RESOLUTIONS ============================

APN issues the following press release regarding the passage of S. Res. 534 and H. Res. 921:

APN Regrets Limited Message of Congressional Resolutions Regarding Hezbollah and Hamas

Washington, D.C.-Americans for Peace Now (APN) today expressed regret over the very limited content of resolutions passed in both the House and Senate regarding Hamas and Hezbollah. APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace and to supporting the Israeli Peace Now movement.

"Congressional support for Israel and condemnation of terrorism are important and have been articulated many times in the past. So too has support for Israel's legitimate and justified right to defend its citizens and sovereign territory. All of these messages are important and welcome," said APN President and Executive Director Debra DeLee.

"At the same time," she added, "messages of solidarity are insufficient. What Israel really needs right now is determined American leadership to turn this dangerous crisis into an opportunity to achieve real security and stability on its borders. Skillful U.S. engagement can strengthen Lebanon's new government so that it can take control of all its territory, re-launch Israeli-Palestinian contacts, and, in the process, improve Israel's security and ensure that there is no return to the perilous status quo ante. It is disappointing that Congress did not include any call for the Bush Administration to undertake such an effort."

For APN's detailed policy document regarding the current crisis in the Middle East, see: http://www.peacenow.org/updates.asp?rid=0&ci d=2759


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III. ALSO ON THE HILL
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(ISRAEL) On July 19th a Dear Colleague was circulated by Reps. Weiner (D-NY) and Berkley (D-NV) seeking co-signers on a letter to House Speaker Hastert (R-IL). The letter states: "In a gesture to demonstrate American solidarity with our foremost ally in the Middle East, we request you organize a bi-partisan Congressional delegation visit to Israel welcome to all members of the House of Representatives..."


For more information contact APN Government Relations Director Lara Friedman at 202/728-1893, or at lfriedman@peacenow.org.