The Senate Banking Committee on Oct. 17 approved the divestment bill 21-0. Sponsored by Connecticut Democrat Chris Dodd, it would let states and local governments and private asset fund managers, if they choose, adopt measures to divest from companies involved in four key business sectors in Sudan.
The act would also prohibit US government contracts with companies involved in the four sectors -- oil, power production, mineral extraction and military equipment.
With bipartisan support, the bill had seemed headed for floor action soon. It was unclear what impact the objections from the state department would have.
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