Gus Bilirakis: “As the gentleman knows, I had originally intended to offer a bipartisan amendment with the gentleman from Indiana [Mr.…”

“As the gentleman knows, I had originally intended to offer a bipartisan amendment with the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Visclosky]. However, based on this discussion and the one preceding it, I will not offer my amendment. It is my understanding that the concept of the Economic Support Fund was first established in the foreign assistance act of 1961 because Congress recognized that special circumstances, either economic, political or security conditions, may necessitate the need to give economic assistance to foreign countries. The ESF is a flexible but complex aid category and continues play an important role in promoting U.S. interests overseas. Last Congress ESF funds were made available to Turkey to support efforts to reform its economy. This Congress only $20 million in ESF funds will be made available as a cash transfer to the Turkish government, a 10 percent reduction from the fiscal year 1997 level.”