President Barack Obama now has 90 days to submit a report on the Bill HR 6069, which is also called the Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act. Poe said, "Thirty days after that, the secretary of state must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation."
The Congressmen also accused Pakistan of helping the US' enemies. Poe said, "From harbouring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the war on terror."
However, chances of this Bill being passed by the current administration are slim. According to The Times of India, with the US polls scheduled in November, very few Bills will be enacted in the last leg of Obama's administration. If Pakistan does get the tag, it will join Iran, Sudan and Syria – the three countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, reported Hindustan Times. It will mean that like these three countries, Pakistan too will face a lot of restrictions such as foreign aid and a ban on defence exports and sales.
The House of Representatives also saw lawmakers bringing up the topic of the recent militant attack in Kashmir's Uri. Congressman Pete Olson said all efforts must be made to "bring to justice the perpetrators of the Uri attack". He condemned the attack on an Indian Army base that left 18 soldiers dead. "India is a strong partner and ally in peace," Olson said. Senators Mark Warner, Pete Sessions and Tom Cotton also expressed their sympathy for the victims.
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