The U.S. House of Representatives has agreed to an amendment bill that would increase withholding of assistance to Nigeria from 50 percent to 100 percent until the West African nation takes effective steps to prevent and respond to violence within its territory.
Gregory Stuebe, who represents Florida’s 17th congressional district in the house, proposed the amendment on Wednesday.
Lawmakers later agreed to the move with a voice vote.
The house had first proposed to halve funds appropriated for Nigeria in April until the secretary of state certified that the Nigerian government had taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable”.
Speaking in support of his motion, Steube said withholding only 50 percent of the funds appeared to reward the Nigerian government “despite failure to meet its fundamental obligation to protect citizens”.
“I rise in strong support for my amendment
