Senate Unanimously Approves Clinton Amendment to Ensure Oversight of US Action in Darfur

Amendment Included as Part of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act

September 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced unanimous Senate approval of an amendment to the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act she introduced to address the Bush Administration’s response to the crisis in Darfur. The amendment requires the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State to report on the planning and implementation of the policy of the United States to end the violence, including any plans for a no-fly zone, and ensure appropriate Congressional oversight of U.S. activity in the region.

"I applaud the passage of this important amendment to address the tragedy unfolding in Darfur. Requiring this comprehensive report is a step toward ensuring U.S. policy in the region addresses the current realities on the ground. We must face the fact that the status quo isn’t working. The United States must act with greater urgency to help bring an end to the violence, and I hope this report will encourage these planning efforts,” said Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton’s amendment requires the DoD and State Department to report on U.S. contributions to NATO, the United Nations (UN), and the African Union (AU) in support of the current African Union Mission in Sudan or any related peacekeeping operation. The report also requires an evaluation of the government of Sudan’s compliance with its obligations under international law. The report also calls for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of a no-fly zone for Darfur, including on humanitarian efforts in the region, and a plan to minimize any negative impact on those efforts during the implementation of a no-fly zone.

Since 2004, Senator Clinton has called repeatedly for action in Darfur. Most recently, she joined a bipartisan group of Senators on a resolution calling for the urgent deployment of a multinational peacekeeping mission to protect civilians in Darfur, as well as for the renewal of diplomatic efforts toward a comprehensive peace process (S. Res. 276), which passed the Senate in August. She co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution that calls on China to use its close relationship with Sudan to help end the violence in Darfur (S. Res 203), which passed the Senate in July. Senator Clinton joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress in sending a letter to President Bush, urging him to press the Sudanese government to facilitate humanitarian operations in Darfur. Additionally, Senator Clinton co-sponsored a resolution calling on the international community to develop a regional strategy to encourage a sustainable peace in Darfur and the affected region (S.Res.76). S. Res. 76 passed the Senate in April.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

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