I. New Bills and Resolutions
II. FY05 Supplemental Request

Note: The Round-Up will not be published next week.

================================
I. NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
================================

(Egypt) H Con Res 78: Introduced February 17th by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and three cosponsors, "Expressing the grave concern of Congress regarding the arrest of Ayman Nour, leader of the Al Ghad party, by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the support of Congress for continued progress toward democracy in Egypt." Referred to the House International Relations Committee.

(Lebanon/Syria) H Res 91: Introduced February 17th by Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) and 28 cosponsors, "Condemning the terrorist bombing attack that occurred on February 14, 2005, in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and killed and wounded others." Passed under suspension of the rules February 17th (409- 0).

(Lebanon/Syria) S Res 63: Introduced February 17th by Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) and 8 cosponsors, "A resolution calling for an investigation into the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and urging steps to pressure the Government of Syria to withdraw from Lebanon." Passed February 17th by unanimous consent.

(Hezbollah) H Res 101: Introduced February 15th by Rep. Jim Saxton (E-NJ) and 19 cosponsors, "Urging the European Union to add Hezbollah to the European Union's wide- ranging list of terrorist organizations." Referred to the House International Relations Committee.

(Jerusalem) HR 588: Introduced February 2nd by Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY), with 29 cosponsors as of this writing, "To take certain steps toward recognition by the United States of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel." Referred to the House International Relations Committee. [Note: HR 588 is identical to HR 167, introduced by Rep. Reynolds in the 108th Congress on 1/7/03 (the first day of session) and to HR 598, introduced by Rep. Reynolds in the 107th Congress on 2/13/01. Two of the three provisions included in HR 588 have already been signed into law by President Bush as part of other bills, but have not been implemented.]

(Iran) S 333: Introduce February 9th by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), entitled the "Iran Freedom and Support Act of 2005." Referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. (Note: See the January 21st edition of the Round-up for details of HR 282, the Iran Liberation Act.)

(Saudi Arabia) HR 604: Introduced February 8th by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), "To halt the issuance of visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia until the President certifies that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not discriminate in the issuance of visas on the basis of religious affiliation or heritage." Referred to the House Judiciary Committee. (Note: see the February 4th edition of the Round-up for discussion of other anti-Saudi Arabia legislation introduced recently, and in the past Congress, by Rep. Weiner).

(Iran) S 299: Introduced February 7th by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), entitled the "Investor in Iran Accountability Act of 2005." Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

(Regional) S 12: Introduced January 24th by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and with 12 cosponsors as of this writing, entitled the "Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005." The lengthy bill includes a range of programs aimed at the Middle East and Muslim countries, with one section (Sec. 233) devoted to Saudi Arabia (including findings about Saudi Arabia's failure to do enough to fight terror and a new required report to Congress on U.S. efforts to press for reform in Saudi Arabia and to curb terrorist financing.

================================
II. FY05 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST
================================

On February 14th President Bush sent Congress his FY05 supplemental budget request. As expected, the request includes $200 million in assistance for the Palestinians. Full details of the supplemental request will be included in the next edition of the Round-up.

Appearing before four Hill committees this week to discuss the FY06 foreign affairs budget and the FY05 supplemental, (before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the House International Relations Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heard Congressional wariness about giving aid to the Palestinians. In all of her appearances she noted her readiness to "consult" with Congress regarding the aid to the Palestinians.

"...President Bush has announced that he will seek an additional $350 million to help the Palestinians build infrastructure and sustain the reform process over the next few years. Of that $350 million, $150 (million) is in the budget request for 2006 and $200 million is in the supplemental request. And let me just say, I look forward to consultations with members of Congress about how best to use this funding as we consult also with members of the Palestinian Authority." (Secretary of State Rice, appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee February 16, 2005).

For more information, contact APN Government Relations Director Lara Friedman at 202/728-1893, or at LFapn@earthlink.net.