Congressman Bill Keating, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Europe Subcommittee, has joined Congressman Brendan Boyle in condemning passage of the British government's legacy bill.
Keating and Boyle have been joined by a number of House colleagues in recent month in voicing opposition to the legislation.
Said Keating in a statement: “Today, the House of Commons passed the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, legislation opposed by all five political parties in Northern Ireland, the government of the Republic of Ireland, and many people across the United Kingdom.
"This bill, as passed, stops any new inquests from being opened into crimes committed during the Troubles, and allows conditional amnesty for individuals accused of committing killings while denying victims and their families the justice and accountability they deserve.
“As Members of the United States House of Representatives, we have voiced our opposition to this legislation, which we believe directly threatens the stable peace established by the Good Friday Agreement and undermines processes agreed upon in the Stormont House Agreement.
"Families from all communities in Northern Ireland deserve the truth about crimes committed against their loved ones as well as justice for the violence they faced.
"It is shameful the British government has passed this legislation, failing to heed the call of so many who oppose this bill and denying its own citizens their fundamental right to truth and justice.
"We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland achieve the justice and accountability necessary to ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.”
