Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, section 527 of the ``Foreign Relations Authorization Act, fiscal years 1994 and 1995,'' sanctions or stops certain U.S. bilateral assistance and U.S. support for assistance from International Financial Institutions for a government of a country that has confiscated a U.S. citizen's property. Nicaragua sadly falls amongst these rules of section 527, but has received Presidential waivers of the sanctions every year since the legislation was enacted. American citizens have had nearly 12 years to come forward to file property claims with the American embassy. This bill amends section 527 to afford American citizens a reasonable opportunity to file a claim with the American embassy in Managua. Any American citizen who has not yet filed a property claim with the American embassy will have 120 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register to do so. Any claims already on file or that are filed within the 120-day period can continue to be considered by the State Department in making its annual determination as to whether to apply the waiver or the sanctions authorized under section 527. This bill would not, however, prevent American citizens from filing property claims after the 120-day period and seeking help from the American embassy in Managua to engage on their behalf with the Government of Nicaragua regarding their claim.”