The United States House of Representatives has approved measures seeking to condition American assistance to Nigeria on demonstrable steps by the Federal Government to tackle violence and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The measures were adopted during consideration of the fiscal 2027 State Department spending bill, which the House passed on Wednesday by 217-209 votes, largely along party lines.
A key amendment sponsored by Republican Congressman Gregory Steube raised the proposed restriction on US assistance to Nigeria from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, meaning all funds allocated to the country would be withheld until the Federal Government meets specified conditions.
The original provision in the bill sought to block half of US funding for Nigeria until the Secretary of State certifies that the country has taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Steube’s amendment retained the conditions but increased the funding restriction.
Announcing the passage of the amendment on X, Steube said his proposal would prevent American taxpayers from funding a government that, according to him, had failed to stop attacks against Christians.
“My amendment to withhold 100 per cent of U.S. aid to Nigeria until its government stops the slaughter of Christians has passed.
“American taxpayers should never bankroll governments that turn a blind eye while Christians are abducted, tortured, and murdered. No more wasteful foreign aid,” he wrote.
Another Republican lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, also said the legislation would tie US assistance to measurable actions by Nigeria to protect Christians and address religious violence.
Moore said the provision was designed to ensure that American support would be linked…
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