The so-called “Rooney amendment,” conceived as an answer to aspects of the Arab boycott and blockade affecting Americans, was included in the final version of the foreign assistance appropriations act, which has been transmitted to the White House for signature of the President, it developed here today.
Inserted in the past by Rep. John J. Rooney, New York Democrat, and retained in the new bill, is the following provision: “It is the sense of Congress that any attempt by foreign nations to create distinctions because of their race or religion among American citizens in the granting of personal or commercial access or any other rights otherwise available to United States citizens generally is repugnant to our principles; and in all negotiations between the United States and any foreign state, arising as a result of funds appropriated under this title, these principles shall be applied as the President may determine.”
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