New Foreign Aid bill cuts down aid, demands evidence of cooperation
July 29, 2011, Washington DC: The U.S. India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) applauds the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs’ approval of the foreign aid bill that would bar aid to Pakistan unless the Secretary of State certifies that Pakistan is pursuing terrorists. The overall bill is $8.6 billion less than the current spending and could bring greater accountability, oversight and transparency to the aid provided to Pakistan.
Manish Thakur, Co-Chair of the National Security Committee, USINPAC said, “It is very heartening to hear that greater accountability and oversight will be brought into the process of civilian and security aid to Pakistan, particularly after the decision to suspend $800 million in military aid earlier this month. We congratulate the subcommittee members on demanding evidence of cooperation from the administration, before allowing aid to flow into Pakistan.” USINPAC has been advocating strict accountability mechanisms and restrictions in military aid to Pakistan for almost a decade. It supports aid to Pakistan that will allow for economic and social reforms in that country.
In May, Osama bin Laden was found to have been hiding in Abbotabad, Pakistan for several years. This caused uproar in the U.S. against Pakistan, who is an ally in the war on terror and recipient of billions of dollars in U.S. aid.
About USINPAC: The U.S. India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is a bi-partisan non-profit organization and the voice of 2.7 million Indian-Americans. It works to impact policy on issues of concern to the Indian-American community in the US. We also provide bipartisan support to candidates for federal, state and local office who support the issues that are important to the Indian-American community. For more information visit us at http://www.usinpac.com
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