IMF Victory!

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

We've just won a great victory!

On Wedsnesday, September 16, the U.S. House of Representatives Rules
Committee passed a rule that would prohibit any IMF-related amendments to
the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.

Today, Thursday, September 17, the House voted to adopt the rule, which
means an amendment to add the $14.5 billion quota increase -- not now in
the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill -- would be out of order. In
other words, the House will NOT approve the money for the IMF quota
increase.

This is an enormous blow against the IMF.

It is still very possible that the $14.5 billion quota increase will be
added in conference committee (when the House and Senate negotiate over
their differences on the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and agree
on a single bill that is almost sure to pass). So our work is by no means
done. 

But for now, congratulations to everyone who has called or written a
member of congress on the quota increase, or otherwise worked to limit the
IMF's power! Thanks in part to all of our work, the IMF's position is much
weaker today than it was yesterday -- and that's great news.

Robert Weissman
Essential Information			|   Internet:	rob@essential.org