WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Chairwoman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Obama Administration, in its final hours, defied a Congressional hold she placed on $221 million for the Palestinian territories.

“I am deeply disappointed that President Obama defied congressional oversight and released $221 million to the Palestinian territories,” Congresswoman Granger said. “This was the first time the Obama Administration chose to ignore the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and released funds without approval.

“As Chairwoman, I worked to make sure that no American taxpayer dollars would fund the Palestinian Authority unless very strict conditions were met. While none of these funds will go to the Palestinian Authority because of those conditions, they will go to programs in the Palestinian territories that were still under review by Congress. The Obama Administration’s decision to release these funds was inappropriate.”

Congresswoman Granger represents the 12th Congressional District of Texas and was selected to serve as Chairwoman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for the 115th Congress.

Previously, Granger served six years as Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, where she oversaw the State Department foreign aid programs. As Chairwoman, Granger insisted on transparency and accountability to make sure American taxpayer dollars were spent wisely.