For Immediate Release:                                                                                                       

May 15, 2008                         

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Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

SENATORS GREGG AND LEAHY INCLUDE PROVISION IN SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL REQUIRING IRAQ TO MATCH U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ ON A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR BASIS

Amendment would ensure equal buy-in by Government of Iraq in rebuilding efforts; provide stronger accountability for investment by U.S. taxpayers

WASHINGTON - Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (S/FOPs) Patrick Leahy and Ranking Member of the S/FOPs Subcommittee Judd Gregg (R-NH) today announced that they have included a provision in the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill requiring the Government of Iraq (GoI) to match U.S. foreign assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis. 

The provision excludes the matching requirement for programs to promote democracy, human rights, humanitarian demining, and assistance to civil society organizations, refugees, internally displaced persons and civilian victims of military conflict.

 Chairman Leahy said, “After spending $45 billion to help rebuild Iraq, and with the Iraqi Government taking in far more in oil revenues than it can effectively spend, it is time for Iraq to share more of the cost of reconstruction.  We want to help and will continue to help the Iraqi people, who have suffered great hardships, to give them the best chance for a better future.  But it is time for their government to become more invested in this process.  This dollar-for-dollar matching requirement is a good first step on the road to reform, and it will also help ensure that whatever funds we provide are not wasted or stolen.”

Ranking Member Gregg stated, “As we approach the critically important issue of providing the necessary funding for our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is also imperative to consider measures that will enable Iraq to continue progress toward becoming a stable democracy.  Our measure that calls for Iraqi ownership of its own reconstruction also helps to ensure that American taxpayer dollars funding this effort are spent responsibly.

        Gregg continued, “With Iraqi oil revenues expected to exceed $70 billion this year, there is no reason why the GoI should not assume greater costs — and ultimately all costs — of rebuilding their nation. Requiring Iraq to equally contribute funds to develop Iraq is a positive step forward in this country’s progress toward becoming a viable and prosperous nation. The provision also provides critical oversight to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance for Iraq is not squandered by corrupt officials, and requires the Secretary of State to take all appropriate steps to ensure no aid is given to terrorists.”