Promissory Note

It's official. US citizens being evacuated from Lebanon are being asked to sign a promissory note before the US will take them out of the war zone. Via CNN:

Before being evacuated on U.S.-chartered ships, Americans are being asked to sign promissory notes to repay the U.S. government for the journey.

That demand outraged House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who said the United States has an obligation to get citizens out of harm's way without "quibbling over payment."

~snip~

White House spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday that the payments -- or "reimbursements" -- to the State Department were mandated under the 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act passed by Congress.

Is that true? And if so, WTF?? Oh, right. The president can ignore law whenever he thinks it's convenient, but in this case, his hands are tied.

Update: As usual, it appears Tony Blow is speaking out of his ass. I googled the 2003 Foreign Relations Act and this is what I found:

Reimbursements for Emergency Overseas Evacuation. Section 201 would allow the State Department to seek reimbursements for the emergency evacuation of employees of the U.S. government, their dependents, private U.S. citizens, and foreign nationals. According to the department, this section of the bill codifies existing practice and would have no impact on the budget. (my emphasis)

From the Congressional Budget Office H.R. 1646, Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, Pay as you go Estimate.

Mandated my centaur ass.