Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (House of Representatives - June 28, 2005)
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Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Schiff:
Page 70, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $9,000,000)''.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the order of the House of today, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, the promotion of democracy has been one of the cornerstones of American foreign policy throughout the history of this Nation, but especially during the last century.
In his second inaugural address in January, President Bush committed this Nation ``to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture.'' In enunciating this goal, the President reiterated a long-standing core principle of American national security policy. Promotion of democracy is not just aspirational; political liberty and transparent government increase the chance that a nation will be economically successful and politically stable, a responsible member of the international community.
I have been concerned for several months now at proposed reductions in funding for a whole range of our democracy promotion programs, many of which were deeply cut in the President's budget request. In March of this year, several of my colleagues joined me in asking the Congress to more fully fund these efforts. I understand the difficult circumstances that confront us on this bill. This is a tough environment for appropriators, and I know that we have prioritized efforts to expand the circle of democracy in the Islamic world as part of the war on terror.
Unfortunately, though, other important democracy programs have suffered greatly. For example, the National Endowment for Democracy for which the President recommended an increase of $20 million over fiscal year 2005 levels was actually cut in the State Department bill that we passed this month. This and other similar cuts have made the job of promoting democracy more difficult for American policymakers and diplomats. I believe these cuts also endanger our national security by pulling needed resources out of countries and regions that are at critical stages in their political development.
Other programs funded through the foreign operations bill have also been cut dramatically. The Support for the East European Democracy Act, SEED, has been an important act in the ongoing transition to democracy of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In the current fiscal year, SEED received an appropriation of $396 million. For fiscal year 2006, President Bush requested $382 million, but the bill funds SEED at only $357 million.
Similarly, the Freedom Support Act has been central to our efforts to transform the states of the former Soviet Union. In the current fiscal year, FSA appropriations totaled $555 million. The President requested $482 million. But the bill provides for only $477 million.
One of our most flexible tools, the State Department's Human Rights and Democracy Fund, promotes democracy, human rights and civil society in countries and regions of strategic importance to the United States. HRDF funds are important tools by which the Department of State maintains pressure for universal human rights, democratic processes, and civil liberties in all countries.
These challenges will be addressed by funding programs that promote democratic reform and result in greater political pluralism and respect for fundamental freedoms in countries with significant Muslim populations, and that promote the protection and enforcement of legal rights and an independent judiciary, increase popular participation in government, and develop civil society in China. HRDF funds also support programs around the world that include political party building, promoting independent media and labor and worker rights, and supporting civil society and democratic institutions.
In the current fiscal year, HRDF is being funded at $36 million; but the bill pares that back to just $27 million, a 25 percent reduction.
My amendment is simple: it would increase the recommended funding level back to $36 million. It is a modest, but important, signal to the world that America's commitment to democracy in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, and Asia remains a central pillar of American diplomacy and national security strategy.
When he asked Congress to declare war on Germany in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson told the Nation that ``the world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.''
In that war and in the other wars that this Nation has fought to preserve those ideals, we have paid a dear price. Our efforts to promote democracy hold forth the promise of widening the circle of freedom, while also reducing the prospect of failed states, terrorism and the horrific human rights abuses that so often require the intervention of American military force. Shortchanging these programs is shortsighted and dangerous.
Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their interest and support in this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I just want to thank the chairman and the ranking member again.
Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield back the balance of my time.
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