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Embassy Security Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2019

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 5, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

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Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, the Embassy Security Authorization Act.

Embassies are really the physical representation of the United States abroad. An American Embassy is the means in which the United States conducts its foreign policy and advances our interests around the world. Therefore, protecting our embassies and diplomats should be our number one priority. That is why my bill authorizes over $2.3 billion for embassy security.

If enacted into law, this would be the first embassy security authorization in 15 years. Furthermore, my bill makes critical reforms in how we build future embassies and think about our security.

In 1998, we had to reassess our embassy security when terrorists, at the direction of Osama bin Laden, bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing over 220 people and injuring 4,000 more. In retrospect, these attacks foreshadowed bin Laden's intentions to attack America. At the time, it forced us to reassess how we go about building our embassies and consulates.

A year later, Congress adopted a standard embassy design for our missions abroad. This design improved security, expedited construction, and saved money. However, recently, we have deviated from the standard embassy design in favor of projects prioritizing aesthetics.

Our embassies constantly face threats from hostile actors, even in friendly and allied countries. Our embassies are extensions of the homeland, and we must treat them as such. To that end, my bill would require the State Department to provide Congress with justification should an embassy or consulate project not use a standard design.

While I appreciate the goal of displaying American might through a striking embassy design, we must prevent a repeat of Kenya and Tanzania. My bill, with the $2.3 billion authorization and standard design reforms, is a good step forward towards achieving that balance.

Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank Ms. Kelly for her leadership on this issue, as well as Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their work on this important piece of legislation.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

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