http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=EQL55BZ0ZXTHCCRBAE0CFFA?type=topNews&storyID=5687124WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers cheered as the House of Representatives voted on Thursday to strip financial assistance for Saudi Arabia from a foreign aid bill because of criticism that the country has not been sufficiently cooperative in the U.S. war on terror.
The vote was a stinging defeat for the Bush Administration which had strongly opposed the measure saying it would "severely undermine" counterterrorism cooperation with Saudi Arabia and U.S. efforts for peace in the Middle East.
The House voted 217-191 to remove $25,000 in the $19.4 billion 2005 foreign aid bill earmarked for Saudi Arabia. At first I was happy to hear that, but then I saw that $25,000 out of $19 billion? Big freakin deal! I hope that's a typo. Why is Saudi Arabia getting aid to begin with? Isn't my $2.20 per gallon enough?