Transcripts For CSPAN House Appropriations State And Foreign

The subcommittee will come to order. This is a bittersweet moment to me. It is my last subcommittee, markup of the state. Going to get emotional. I will start again. Good afternoon, everyone. The subcommittee will come to order. This is a bittersweet moment for me, as it is my last subcommittee markup of the state bill,reign operations contemplate my retirement at the i ask you toear indulge me in a few reflections. First. The important work of this committee. Since world war ii come up aid has been a key component of the United States Foreign Policy. Allocate to the state department, the u. S. Agency for international development, and other federal agencies tasked with carrying out american interests and promoting freedom and democracy throughout the world account for only roughly 1 of our federal budget. Yet we have made the world healthierfer, and while improving the security of generations here at home. The dearupported eradication of polio. Stemmed the surge of hivaids. We have increased access to Health Services so that mothers who must walk hours forget wellness checks for themselves and their babies. We have helped individuals, communities, and countries recover following natural disasters and provided support for vulnerable migrants and those displaced by wars and famines. We have intervened to relieve suffering from atrocities in the balkans and dark for. We have advanced equity and opportunity for women so that they, their children, and their communities might prosper. , educationften said is the single greatest force multiplier in foreign aid and contributing to many of our other successes. That is why i am particularly proud of the record levels of u. S. Assistance for basic education for more than 80 million children around the as wellspecially girls, as for International Family planning. And because of all these and other priorities, we have advocated together our own children and grandchildren are safer. September 11 was the darkest day , as to many of my constituents lost loved ones and some even perished on the sacred ground where the twin towers once touched the sky. The reality we face today with coronavirus in the wake of that tragedy, our nation reawakened to the stark truth that circumstances and events half the world away can dramatically influence the wellbeing and security of americans here at home. It has been my honor to work with all of you. Belief in the absolute necessity of effective diplomacy and Global Engagement as well as Robust Development assistance to protect our own National Security. Even as we address moral imperatives beyond our own borders. Secondly, bipartisanship. This subcommittee has worked collegially in the best interest of the american people. During all my nearly three decades as a member. Express myto particular appreciation for the leadership of the former chair, rogers, kay granger, and jim, with whom i have enjoyed working. Considers, the bill we today is stronger for your insights and input on shared bipartisan priorities. Thirdly, a personal note. When i faced the difficult choice of being the Ranking Member of this subcommittee or the labor hhs education subcommittee, i booked conventional wisdom in washington. It was a difficult choice because as passionate as i feel about the work of labor h and despite its many billions more dollars, my heart is in the work of this subcommittee, and i will clearly miss it as well as my partnership with all of you. But our work is not done yet. So i would like now to share the highlights of what is in the bill and note that i have worked hard to accommodate most member requests. Given the quick timeline to get this bill to the floor, i request that any amendments be reserved until the bill is considered by the full committee. 65. 87 billion, the house bill rejects the president s go it alone approach to Foreign Policy and expresses this committees concerns about the timely application and prudent expenditure publication and prudent expenditure of resources. Unintended events thereby leaving intended beneficiaries vulnerable, this bill provides greater distinction between shortterm diplomatic and political initiatives and longterm investments and developments. It also provides overseas oco,ngency operations, or under account headings with enduring funds to offer transparent accounting of the fundresources needed to United States Foreign Policy and advance National Security interests. Billion includes 47. 85 in base funding, 8 billion in oco funding for base requirements that otherwise would not be funded by the president s budget request, and 10. 018 billion in coronavirus emergency funding. Funding for emergency to address covid19, which has than 125,000 than 130 thing american lives, and 500,000 people worldwide, cannot be overstated. In fact, the dire expectations for its impact on americanss health and our economy demand that the administration and senate come to the table to consider these urgent funds and the heroes act that the house passed in may immediately. In addition to addressing immediate covid19 needs, the mark takes a holistic approach to Global Health and seeks to accelerate the strengthening of Health Systems in low and middle Income Countries to manage Health Threats and communicable diseases, which we know all too well do not respect borders. To help sustain progress against tuberculosis, and malaria, the mark provides 5 billion for global hivaids activities, including 1. 56 billion for the global fund, and clarifies the u. S. Commitment to maintaining our 33 share. It also reverses the president s global gag rule and stops counter production restrictions on Family Planning and Health Funding while including 805. 5 million for Family Planning million, of which 55. 5 is to the United Nations Population Fund to ensure that millions of women can access critically needed health care. Committee seeks to ensure the impact of covid19 does not derail Development Gains over the past several decades, the mark provides 3. 8 billion for Development Assistance. Million toes 975 increase access to basic education, of which not less than 150 million shall be spent on Girls Education in areas of conflict. It also maintains our commitment to addressing food insecurity, improving water, sanitation services, putting an end to trafficking in persons, and promoting the longterm Development Objectives that support thriving, Healthy Communities while strengthening our own National Security. This requires addressing unique wholenges, from bad actors seek to disrupt our democracy fortifying means to Security Capabilities to prevent regional conflicts from generating international crises. To address the harmful policies of the administration that perpetuates the challenges and increase migration to our southern border, this legislation amends prior year appropriations acts to significantly limit the administrations ability to redirect assistance outside of the region. Funding for robust counter narcotics and Law Enforcement efforts for our neighbors in columbia, mexico, central america, and the caribbean. The mark includes 68 million to address International Organized Crime and maintains funding to combat cybercrimes. It provides a total of 9 billion for Security Assistance to key allies and partners and maintains strong support for programs in eastern europe, jordan, and tunisia. The bill keeps the commitments of the United States at camp david in 1979 to promote peace in the middle east by providing 3. 3 billion in aid for israels security as well as assistance for egypt. Additionally, the mark prioritizes the security of diplomatic and Development Staff and the facilities where they billion for. 071 Embassy Security, which is 692. 2 billion about the president s request. The United States cannot tackle the worlds challenges alone. We work best when we Work Together. And the United States must reclaim its leadership role on , less the world becomes susceptible to malign actors like russia and china, who do not share our democratic values. The mark reaffirms our support for international allies, multilateral organizations, which extend the impact of our assistance, maximizes taxpayer dollars, and facilitates delivery of aid where it is needed urgently to mitigate human suffering. To support these efforts, the bill includes 7. 83 billion in refugee and disaster assistance, including to latin america, the middle east, asia, and africa. The mark also seeks to restore humanitarian and Development Assistance to the palestinians to continue the viability of a two state solution by providing resources to organizations working in the west bank and gaza. That asticularly proud a bipartisan priority the mark includes 50 million to fund a new partnership for peace in the middle east that would promote Economic Development while strengthening engagement between palestinians and israelis through people to People Programs and economic ventures. As we seek to address ongoing and anticipated humanitarian needs, we look to combat a persistent threat that drives migration and conflict that can destabilize regions. That is climate change. The mark provides funds in this and prior acts to support multilateral efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. It also strengthens conservation and Environment Programs and continues funding for adaptation and Renewable Energy programs at prior year levels. These reflect just a few highlights of the bill and report. Which i do urge you all to read thoroughly. And before i turn to my Ranking Member, mr. Rogers, for his statement, i would like to express my appreciation to congresswoman martha roby for her service on the subcommittee, as she also plans to leave the congress at the end of this year. And your dedication to the rights of women in afghanistan and gender programs like wgdp will live on in this bill. I also want to recognize the wonderful staff who worked remotely to prepare the bill. I want to thank susan adams, the minority clerk, Jamie Mccormick of the minority staff, austin gage, and Ranking Member Rogers Personal staff, as well as my staff, including clerk steve, craig higgins, aaron, jean, jason, jean. Dana, think wendy, kelly, and Elizabeth Stanley on my staff and express my gratitude to past Staff Members and fellows who supported my work on the subcommittee. Beth, howard, claire, jamie, jenny, scott fleming, mark isaac, sharon leven, jim townsend, chris bigelow, lucy, gh, sonali, joe ralph,in, mark lopez, michelle, and michael merrick. Singing youl like made me what i am today, but there are so many people that we think if you have been here as long as i have. My heartfelt thanks to all of my past and current staff. This committees achievements are all yours. So thank you so very much for indulging me. Speaks, i wills recognize my full committee Ranking Member, miss granger, for any comments she would like to make. I will then recognize any member of the subcommittee for short comments on the bill. I did not leave you much time. I apologize. Mr. Rogers, please proceed. Well, thank you, madam chair, for your passionate devotion to this subcommittees work. Of love onen a labor your part. And your worknate to help the needy in the world. So congratulations on bringing forward the operations bill for 2021. Your final one. I wish the market process this year were taking place under better circumstances. But despite the challenging operating environment, you and your staff have done a great job getting us to this point. Before i discuss the bill, i want to take a moment to salute our chair as she kicks off her final markup session. Not only of this bill, but all the others. But this one being the first one i think showsuled your dedication to the work this subcommittee oversees. So thank you, especially for your great devotion. Your commitment to this bill and the people it helps all over the world is well known. Fully appreciated. To me, this is best demonstrated by the fact that you decided to chair this subcommittee while also serving as the full committee chair. I know the time and effort involved in carrying out the responsibilities that come with leading a full committee. It is not for the faint of heart. Yet you still chose to make time for a busy state for an operations schedule. I greatly admire your devotion to this work, as do all of us. Negotiating any number of issues, traveling to all corners of the globe. I recall the rain forest in south america. We made two trips in one. My first and last. Rep. Lowey i will never forget that one. Rep. Rogers in fact, the work of this subcommittee in overseeing state department is of special interest to me. When i first came to congress in 1981, i got on the full committee in 1983 and became shortly thereafter the Ranking Member and then later chairman of the subcommittee on state at that time. Overseeing the work of our diplomats overseas and the was a specialve interest of mine. Toecall one of those trips the subcommittee made in 1989 to eastern europe. And working with our ambassadors and staffs in those countries, which were so hardhit during the cold war. We wound up in frankfurt on the way home, and the state department was with us overseeing our trip. We got ready to leave town on the air force plane. And they blessed us to the airport with a state Department Person with us. And they told us we got a problem with the airplane. We got to work on it. So we waited around for one hour or an hour and a half. Finally, the state department guy worried the committee that funds the state department would be uncomfortable. Look, these force, people, we got to d. C. And if you cannot get this plane fixed in the next 15 minutes, i will put them on a commercial flight at the airport. Well, with about two minutes to go, the state department guy left and made reservations for us at the terminal. On aermina commercial flight. Says,back to the bus and air force, you got five minutes to get this plane so, with just a few minutes left, air force says weve got it fixed. Got the plane fixed. So, we all pile on the air force plane. And the state Department Supervisor goes back to the terminal, canceled our reservations on the commercial flight he had made for us on panam 103. Panam 103. Off and the plane, over just flew after us and exploded. Ive often thought about that. Dangersstrated that the our foreign personnel personnel in foreign stations work every day under very dangerous conditions, many of them. And we dont pay enough respect to them for the great work that they do. So, thank you in this bill for taking, i think, reasonably good care. There are some things we need to hopefully, that will work out. Im glad you mentioned martha roby. Very important member of this subcommittee that has now decided to go home and work from there. Martha, you have not been on this subcommittee very long, but ive admired your focus on oversight especially. That,our zeal in pursuing among other things. The american taxpayer can be proud of your relentless efforts to demand results and accountability for every dollar spent on their behalf. Thank you for your Great Service to your country and to work with us. Turning back to the matter at hand, madam chair, this years bill includes 47. 85 billion in base funding. 8 billion in overseas contingency operations, for a total of 55. 85 billion. And nonemergency discretionary funding. That is an increase of nearly 1. 2 billion dollars over the previous fiscal year. It also includes 10 billion in emergency funding for coronavirus response. Within the total, the bill includes funding for many key priorities that are critical to our National Security, and that we can all support. Includinge chair for 3. 3 billion in Foreign Military financing for our great ally, israel, and for your steadfast support for their security. Im also pleased that the bill maintains funding at the current level for Embassy Security. The attacks on our embassy in baghdad this year were a stark reminder of how we must do everything we can to support the safety of our Foreign Service officers working abroad. I appreciate the chair continuing funding to combat the flow of drugs into our country and to tackle transnational crime overseas. These efforts go handinhand with the work we do here at home and the relentless fight against drug abuse and addiction. I want to thank you, madam chair, for maintaining funding for the Development Finance corporation for its second year of investments. I underst