Russ Feingold: “I rise to comment on S. 1888, the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2003, introduced by Senator Specter. I commend my…”

“I rise to comment on S. 1888, the Saudi Arabia Accountability Act of 2003, introduced by Senator Specter. I commend my colleague for his leadership on this issue. Combating terrorism is our highest national security priority at this time, and I have long had concerns regarding Saudi support for terrorist groups. While the administration has stated that the Government of Saudi Arabia has recently increased its cooperation with the United States, and while I do believe that last week's joint U.S.-Saudi announcement regarding Al-Haramain branches in Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya and Tanzania is a positive step, it remains evident that the Saudi Government has often turned a blind eye to many activities that foster terrorism and, in some cases, Saudi leadership appears to have supported terrorism directly. This bill serves to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia to increase its counterterrorism efforts or to face limited sanctions. Cutting the links between terrorist organizations and their sponsoring governments is one of the most crucial tasks in the fight against terrorism, and I support the goals of this legislation. However, the legislation raises other concerns that must be carefully considered by Congress. I am concerned that the legislation demonstrates the degree to which we, as policymakers, wear blinders in our relationship with Saudi Arabia.”