Pelosi: 'Economic Pressure on Sudan Will Intensify Until the Genocide in Darfur Finally Comes to an End'

December 18, 2007

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the House unanimously passing S. 2271, which authorizes states to divest from Sudan and banning new federal contracts with companies doing business with the government of Sudan. The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.

'Today the U.S. Congress is sending a strong message that economic pressure on the Sudanese government will continue to intensify until the genocide in Darfur finally comes to an end.

'Young people, the religious community, and state governments are leading divestment campaigns all across America. This legislation will empower their efforts and help ensure that money from American citizens will not contribute to a genocidal regime.

'It has been six months since the U.N. Security Council authorized a new United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur but Sudanese President Omar al Bashir continues to block its deployment. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed and more than 2 million people have been displaced. The United States and the international community must step up our efforts while there is still an opportunity to save lives.'