Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 And 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Berman for the hard work that he and the committee staff have done on reauthorization of this bill. A lot of work has been put into it, and I think all of us, as we look upon the challenges we face around the world, understand that there has to be a utilization of all of the tools in our foreign policy tool box to ensure that we take care of America's interests and that we gain greater support in our interests abroad.

Smart Power is a part of that effort. Smart Power allows us to reenergize our diplomatic work around the globe. Specifically, the reauthorization of this bill allows the State Department to do work that the Department of Defense is doing, more appropriately under the Department of State: international organizations, strengthening the Peace Corps, focusing on drug trafficking and violence along our southern borders. There are so many good things that this does.

Smart Power is often overlooked, but it's a vital tool in this foreign policy toolbox. We've seen the benefits of American Smart Power in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we need to continue to do that good work.

I thank the chairman and his staff for the importance of the reauthorization. I urge all of the Members to vote for this bill.

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