Keith Ellison: “let me thank the gentlewoman and commend the gentlewoman for her good wisdom and excellent intentions behind section 699…”

“let me thank the gentlewoman and commend the gentlewoman for her good wisdom and excellent intentions behind section 699 which would conditionalize aid to Egypt. However, I must rise in support of the amendment that has been brought by Mr. Boustany because I believe that the impact of this piece in the bill would signal to the region a very hostile and unhealthy message. The message that we should be sending to allies in the region is that we want to work constructively and productively to seal that border. I would point out that sealing borders is no easy enterprise. But I also believe that with a greater amount of help and with proper resources that the border could well be sealed between Gaza and Egypt. This conditionalizing sends a signal that Egypt, that it is criticism of Egypt, that Egypt is somehow not putting forth the proper effort. Given that Egypt is such a long-standing and important ally, I think this is not the right message to send.”