Norma Torres: “today, I join my colleagues, Representatives Joseph Kennedy and Christopher Smith in introducing the Humanitarian Aid…”

“today, I join my colleagues, Representatives Joseph Kennedy and Christopher Smith in introducing the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act. This bill would withhold U.S. assistance to any country which blocks the delivery of congressional approved U.S. humanitarian assistance to another country. The need for this legislation, Mr. Speaker, is clear. It is a serious threat to the integrity of American foreign policy when any nation-- especially one that is also a recipient of U.S. aid--forces our Government to waste taxpayers' money on transportation costs instead of putting that money toward the humanitarian goods specified for delivery. Let me site a specific case: Since April 1993, our ally, Turkey, has closed its border to all cargo, including United States humanitarian assistance, going to the land-locked Republic of Armenia. Because of this blockade, America is forced to ship its aid around Turkey, through the Black Sea, to ports in war-torn Georgia. The closing of the Turkish border to United States assistance meant for Armenia has slowed delivery of this aid, skyrocketed transportation costs, and in some case caused the loss of aid to thieves and saboteurs. Allowing our allies to deny U.S. humanitarian assistance to people in need discredits our Nation's foreign aid program, results in inefficient use of U.S. taxpayers' money, and ultimately sets a precedent for abuse by other nations.”