Washington, D.C. - A congressional spending bill containing millions for humanitarian assistance in the Sudan passed the U.S. House of Representative today by a vote of 373 to 34. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported the funding bill but called on Congress to do more to support the humanitarian relief efforts in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.  The Arab-Muslim dominated Sudanese government in this area has been supporting a war of “ethnic cleansing” against the largely black-Muslim population of Darfur, leading to widespread death, displacement and famine in the region. 

“This funding represents our continued to raise international awareness about what is happening in Darfur.  But, more needs to be done.  Progress in Darfur depends on U.S leadership and international cooperation. 

Specifically, the final version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 contains $450 million for humanitarian assistance in the Sudan.  This includes $164 million for disaster and famine assistance, $73 million for the temporary resettlement of refugees, and $41 million for peacekeeping efforts.  In addition, $138 million will specifically go to assistance in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

The bill also states that the assistance funds for the Sudanese government will not be allocated unless the Secretary of State certifies that Sudan has ended all support for the Arab militias attacks on black Muslims in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, and Sudan allows unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.

Larsen also supported an amendment to the Foreign Operations Spending Bill offered by Rep. David Obey (D-WI) that would increase funding for disaster assistance for refugees in Darfur by $50 million.  The amendment was defeated.

The House and Senate must agree on a final version of the spending bill before the president can sign it into law.

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