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John Kerry: Legislative Record on the Middle East

Kerry: Table of Contents | Views on the Middle East | Biography

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Listed below is Senator John Kerry's legistlative record on bills related to Israel and the Middle East,
arranged chronologically by topics:
Foreign Aid | US Aid to Israel | Jerusalem | Arms Sales | Iran | Miscellaneous | Interest Group Ratings

 

Legislation
Kerry's Vote
Final Status

Foreign Aid Appropriations
         FY 2002 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 96-2
         FY 2001 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 65-27
         FY 2000 Conference Report
opposed pro-Israel position
passed 51-49
         FY 2000 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 97-2
         FY 1999 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 90-3
         FY 1998 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 91-8
         FY 1997 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 93-7
         FY 1996 Conference Report
supported pro-Israel position
passed 90-6
         FY 1996 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 91-9
         FY 1995 Conference Report
supported pro-Israel position
passed 88-12
         FY 1995 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 84-9
         FY 1994 Conference Report
supported pro-Israel position
passed 88-11
         FY 1994 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 88-10
         FY 1993 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 87-12
         FY 1992 Continuing Resolution
supported pro-Israel position
passed 84-16
         FY 1992 Appropriations Authorization
supported pro-Israel position
passed 61-38
         FY 1992 Authorization
supported pro-Israel position
passed 74-18
         Helms Amendment (Cutting 10% of FY1992 Foreign Aid)
supported pro-Israel position
defeated 87-12
         Fiscal Year 1991 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 76-23
         Fiscal Year 1990 Bill
supported pro-Israel position
passed 89-11

Foreign Aid: Israel Specific
         Letter to President supporting levels of aid to Israel (July 1993)
supported pro-Israel position
78 signers
         Resolution supporting loan guarantees to Israel (April 1992)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 99-1
         Loan guarantee amendment  (October 1991)
supported pro-Israel position
73 cosponsors
         Letter to President opposing cuts foreign aid (February 1990)
supported pro-Israel position
73 signers

Jerusalem
         Letter expressing disappointment with the Administration for invoking the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act waiver (July 1999)
supported pro-Israel position
84 signers
         Resolution commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem (May 1997)
supported pro-Israel position
89 cosponsors
         Legislation mandating move of U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem by May 1999 (October 1996)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 93-5/
77 co-sponsors
         Letter urging Secretary Christopher to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem (March 1995)
supported pro-Israel position
93 signers
         letter to President Clinton opposing U.N. language calling Jerusalem "occupied territory" (March 1994)
supported pro-Israel position
83 signers
         Resolution congratulating Israel on 25th anniversary of Jerusalem's unification (June 1992)
supported pro-Israel position
74 cosponsors
         Resolution declaring Jerusalem the eternal, undivided capital of Israel (April 1990)
supported pro-Israel position
83 cosponsors

Arms Sales
         Letter to President opposing Saudi F-15 sale (November 1991)
supported pro-Israel position
57 signers
         Letter to President opposing Maverick missiles to Saudi Arabia (September 1987)
supported pro-Israel position
68 signers
         Resolution disapproving Maverick missile sale to Saudi Arabia (June 1987)
supported pro-Israel position
68 cosponsors

Iran
         ILSA Extension Act of 2001 (July 2001)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 96-2
         Iran Nonproliferation Act (February 2000)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 96-0
         Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act (May 1998)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 90-4
         Letter to Vice President calling for an end to Russian missile cooperation (March 1998)
supported pro-Israel position
47 signers
         Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) of 1996 (June 1996)
Did not consponsor
45 cosponsors

Miscellaneous
Did not vote
passed 95-3
supported pro-Israel position
88 signers
supported pro-Israel position
passed 94-2
         Letter urging Vice President not to meet with Arafat until he has taken necessary steps to end violence (March 2002)
supported pro-Israel position
52 signers
supported pro-Israel position
89 signers
supported pro-Israel position
87 signers
         Peace through Negotiations Act (October 2000)
Did not cosponsor
60 cosponsors
         Letter to President in Support of Israel (October 2000)
supported pro-Israel position
96 signers
         Middle East Peace Process Support Act (July 2000)
Did not cosponsor
36 cosponsors
supported pro-Israel position
passed 98-1/94 cosponsors
supported pro-Israel position
100 cosponsors
supported pro-Israel position
82 signers
         Letter to Arab League calling for an end to boycott of Israel (November 1993)
supported pro-Israel position
77 signers
         Letter to President Clinton urging President to press Syria to let Syrian Jews leave (May 1993)
supported pro-Israel position
73 signers
         Letter urging Secretary of State to include Hamas in terrorism report (February 1993)
did not sign
55 signers
         Letter urging U.S. veto of U.N. condemnation of Israel over Hamas expulsions (January 1993)
supported pro-Israel position
72 signers
         Letter urging Secretary of State to keep Syria on State Department terrorism list (November 1991)
supported pro-Israel position
55 signers
         Resolution urging Arab states to recognize Israel (March 1991)
supported pro-Israel position
83 cosponsors
         Letter to Israeli Ambassador expressing solidarity with Israel (January 1991)
supported pro-Israel position
79 signers
         Letter opposing linking withdrawal from Kuwait to West Bank/Gaza (October 1990)
supported pro-Israel position
53 signers
         Iraqi sanctions amendment prior to invasion of Kuwait (July 1990)
supported pro-Israel position
passed 83-12
         Letter and Resolution urging suspension of US-PLO dialogue (June 1990)
supported pro-Israel position
56 signers/68 cosponsors


Interest Group Ratings

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI)

2003: On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2003, Senator Kerry a score of -1 (Range: +2 to -4).

2001-2002: On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Senator Kerry a score of -3 (Range: +1 to -5).

Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) describes itself as "a group of American Jews who believe that a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel is attainable through negotiations based on international law and the implementation of relevant United Nations (UN) resolutions. We believe that as Jews outside of Israel, we have both a right and obligation to speak out in favor of an Israel that pursues peaceful, ethical, just, and democratic policies." JPPI opposes the Patriot Act and they oppose a Jewish presidence in East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). They support the Palestinian right of return into Israel. They are a member of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. They are based in Washington, D.C. This organization is anti-Israel.

U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

2003: On the votes that the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation considered to be the most important in 2003, Senator Kerry a score of -1 (Range: +3 to -4).

The U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation describes itself as "a diverse coalition working for freedom from occupation and equal rights for all by challenging US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Campaign is based on human rights and international law, providing a non-sectarian framework for everyone who supports its Call to Action. Its strategy is to inform, educate, and mobilize the public so as to change the US role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." They oppose Israel's security fence, held an international day of action for Rachel Corrie, and oppose a Jewish/Israeli presence in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. They also oppose the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the U.S. presence in Iraq. One of their hallmark campaigns encourages divestment from Israel. They support the Palestinian right of return into Israel. Their membership includes ultra-left Jewish groups, Muslim groups, and Christian groups including organizations to oppose US aid to Israel. This organization is anti-Israel.

American Muslims for Jerusalem

2001-2002: On the votes that the American Muslims for Jerusalem considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Senator Kerry rated -3.

American Muslims for Jerusalem describes itself as "a not for profit organization incorporated in 1999, the organization is committed to the following objectives: To ensure that the concerns of the American Muslim community regarding Jerusalem and its environs are understood and respected in the formulation of U.S. policy. To present accurate and timely information to the mass media and other interested parties. To educate, inform, and mobilize the American Muslim community To raise the awareness of the American society in general and work for a just and comprehensive solution to the issue of Jerusalem. To cooperate with other organizations having similar objectives." They oppose Israel as a "Jewish state," even within the 1948 borders. They support the Palestinain right of return into Israel. They oppose Israeli control over both East and West Jerusalem and do not recognize Israeli sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem. They support the intifada and therefore terrorism against Israelis. They oppose U.S. foreign aid to Israel. They oppose the Geneva Agreement because it legitimizes Israel's right to a Jewish state within the pre-1967 borders. They oppose the U.S. and U.N.-backed "Road Map." This organization is anti-Israel.

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA)

2001: On the votes that the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs (WRMEA) considered to be the most important in 2001, Senator Kerry voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs describes itself as "is a 140-page magazine published 10 times per year in Washington, DC, that focuses on news and analysis from and about the Middle East and U.S. policy in that region." The WRMEA publishes many articles that are considered to be anti-Israel and Anti-Zionist. the WRMEA supports the false accusation that there was a coverup regarding the USS Liberty incident. They openly oppose AIPAC, foreign aid to Israel. They oppose Israel's security fence and link to numerous Islamic websites without linking to a proportionate amount of Christian, Jewish, or non-ecumenical websites. They support a Palestinian right-of-return into Israel and oppose a Jewish/Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). This organization is anti-Israel.

Center of Security Policy

1998-2002: On the votes that the Center for Security Policy considered to be the most important in 1998-2002, Senator Kerry voted their preferred position 25 percent of the time.

The Center for Security Policy is a neo-conservative organization which describes itself as an organization that has "since its founding in 1988, operated as a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to the time-tested philosophy of promoting international peace through American strength. It accomplishes this goal by stimulating and informing national and international policy debates, in particular, those involving regional, defense, economic, financial and technology developments that bear upon the security of the United States." Many of the votes in the interest group rating do not exclusively relate to Israel. The Center for Security Policy is an organization which opposes terror, supports President Bush's "War on Terror," supports the war in Iraq, examines the terror connections between the so-called "peace" movement and militant Islamist organizations. The Center for Security Policy opposes a Palestinian state. They support Israel's right to self-defense and have recently run several pro-Israel advertisements on cable news networks. This organization is pro-Israel.

Sources:ThomasProject Vote Smart