WASHINGTON, June 10: The US House of Representatives on Friday took a symbolic jab at Saudi Arabia, accusing the country of fuelling religious extremism and violence, as it passed a $21.3 billion foreign aid bill.
The bill for next fiscal year, which is $600 million above the current level but $2.4 billion less than President George Bush sought, cleared the House easily on a 373-34 vote. The Senate has not yet taken up its version of the bill.
Accusing Saudi Arabia of teaching intolerance and financing terrorism, lawmakers voted 312-97 to cut the $420,000 Riyadh receives to participate in U.S.-backed military and counter-terrorism training.
“I hope my colleagues send a strong signal symbolically that enough is enough,” said Rep. Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat.
The funds are intended to provide classroom space and pay for experts to help train counter-terrorism police.
Rep. Jim Kolbe, an Arizona Republican, said the measure would hurt efforts to foster Saudi Arabia as a partner in fighting terrorism. But his was a lonely voice.
Congress has passed similar measures in the past, but Mr Bush has used a waiver to clear the funds to Saudi Arabia.
In other action on the bill, lawmakers voted 229-174 against a measure to cut $30 million from $545 million in counter-narcotics funds for Colombia.—Reuters
