Congress Approves FY2005 Foreign Aid Bill

Congress approved $2.22 billion in military aid and $360 million in economic assistance to Israel as part of the fiscal year 2005 foreign aid bill. The foreign aid bill contains provisions that help Israel maximize the aid, extends the availability of loan guarantees to Israel from three to five years, conditions U.S. aid to the Palestinians and includes new language requiring the Secretary of State to report on allegations that U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employees and facilities have been used by Palestinian terrorists. The Senate vote was 65-30 and the House margin was 344-51.