Peter Deutsch: “I came to the House 6 years ago and was involved in trying to help resolve this claim by Hill International with the…”

“I came to the House 6 years ago and was involved in trying to help resolve this claim by Hill International with the Saudi Government. And here, for me personally, 6 years later, we are still at that point. This is the only one of 19 claims filed against the Saudi Government by American companies in the 1980s that still remains unpaid. Over the last 5 years, literally dozens of Members of Congress have vocalized their support for resolution of this final claim but have received nothing but empty promises from Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar. A former member of this chamber, Bill Emerson, in 1995, met with Ambassador Bandar and was asked to broker a compromise agreement to the claim. Despite Representative Emerson's diligent efforts to implement this compromise before his passing, Ambassador Bandar has refused to honor this gentleman's agreement. Over the last year, Prince Bandar has repeatedly committed to meet with the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Jo Ann Emerson) in an effort to conclude this matter, but has been unwilling to set a date. How long must this American company continue to wait? We need to get this settlement resolved.”