Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
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	Press Releases June 08, 2005   SENATOR COLLINS JOINS EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON SAUDI SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM Legislation calls for sanctions and State Dept. report on Saudi cooperation   Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins is the cosponsor of legislation aimed at stopping Saudi support for institutions that that fund, train, incite, encourage, or in any other way aid and abet terrorism. The Collins-backed legislation, which was introduced by Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, also seeks to secure full cooperation from the government of Saudi Arabia in the investigation and prevention of terrorist attacks. “Although Saudi Arabia has initiated some reforms, recent studies have found that the country remains a breeding ground for terrorism. A January 2005 report by Freedom House’s Center for Religious Freedom found that Saudi Arabia is the state most responsible for the propagation of material promoting hatred, intolerance, and violence within American mosques and Islamic centers and that the material is often an official publications of a Saudi ministry or distributed by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC. That is troubling,” said Senator Collins. “In order to be a full partner in the war on terrorism, Saudi Arabia needs to take greater steps to stem the spread of religious extremism that promote terrorism." The Saudi Arabia Accountability Act expresses the “Sense of Congress” that the Government of Saudi Arabia should immediately and unconditionally provide complete and unrestricted cooperation with the United States in the investigation of terrorism and terrorism financing; permanently close all charities, schools, and other organizations that fund, train, incite, or aid terrorism; and block all funding from private Saudi citizens and entities to any Saudi-based terror organization. If these actions are not taken, the bill directs the President to enforce sanctions blocking the export of defense articles, services, and items listed under the Commerce Control List to Saudi Arabia, and enforce travel restrictions of Saudi diplomats assigned to DC, New York, Houston, or Los Angeles to a 25 mile radius. The President may waive these sanctions if it is determined that it is in the national security of the U.S. and a report is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees. As Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Collins last year requested a Government Accountability Office examination of the U.S. government’s efforts to identify, monitor and counter the spread and financing of Saudi religious intolerance in order determine whether current U.S. efforts are adequate. Senator Collins’ Committee has been investigating some of the Islamic charities in the United States that have allegedly supported terrorism.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 June 2005 Press Releases May   |  July   --   2004   |  2006     June 29 - IN RESPONSE TO COLLINS-LIEBERMAN COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION, STATE DEPARTMENT AND TERRORIST SCREENING CENTER ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO SHARE TERRORIST INFORMATION   June 27 - SENATOR COLLINS COMMENDS DHS REPORT TO COORDINATE HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS WITH CANADA & MEXICO   June 24 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON LINDA SPRINGER   June 23 - SENATOR COLLINS PRESSES FOR STRONGER TRADE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNFAIR COMPETITION FROM FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS   June 22 - COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS - FEINGOLD BILL TO SAVE TAXPAYERS $300 MILLION ANNUALLY BY ELIMINATING WASTEFUL SPENDING IN PURCHASE CARD PROGRAM   June 22 - COMMITTEE APPROVES SENATOR COLLINS’ BILL TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR AMBULANCE, RESCUE & OTHER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES   June 22 - COMMITTEE APPROVES COLLINS-CARPER POSTAL REFORM LEGISLATION   June 21 - SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS   June 21 - SENATOR COLLINS CHAIRS HEARING ON JUVENILE DIABETES   June 17 - SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE RECEIPT OF THOUSANDS OF PAGES OF BRAC-RELATED DOCUMENTS, SECURE COMMITMENT FROM SECRETARY ENGLAND THAT ADDL REQUESTS WILL BE RESPONDED TO   June 16 - SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR CRACKDOWN ON GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WHO CHEAT ON THEIR TAXES, POSE UNFAIR COMPEITITION   June 15 - SENATOR COLLINS CALLS FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY AT CHEMICAL FACILITIES   June 13 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESPONDS FURTHER TO SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN’S SUBPOENA, DELIVERS ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS TO THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE   June 12 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RELEASES MORE BRAC-RELATED DOCUMENTS FOLLOWING SENATORS COLLINS, LIEBERMAN ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENA LAST WEEK   June 10 - SENATOR COLLINS STATEMENT ON NCTC DIRECTOR NOMINATION   June 10 - SENATOR COLLINS’ STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT’S NOMINATIONS FOR PRIVACY & CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD   June 8 current Press Release   June 7 - SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN ISSUE SUBPOENA FOR BASE CLOSURE DOCUMENTS   June 2 - DoD RELEASED BRAC DATA INSUFFICIENT, ACCORDING TO SENATORS COLLINS AND LIEBERMAN
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