Sponsors of a resolution to ban terrorist groups from Palestinian elections said Congress could withhold funds to the Palestinians if Hamas joins the government. The bipartisan resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is likely to come to a vote in the next two weeks, says that including Hamas or any other terrorist group in the Palestinian government “will inevitably raise serious policy considerations for the United States, potentially undermining the continued ability of the United States to provide financial assistance for and conduct normal relations with the Palestinian Authority.” The sponsors said they were concerned by the Bush administration’s refusal to say clearly that it would not tolerate Hamas’ inclusion in government. “We’re sending a message to the Palestinians and to the U.S. government,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said Thursday in a press conference on the resolution. “Congress does have a role in sending a statement. We also have a funding role.”
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