Hearing of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Markup of the FY15 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill

Hearing

Thank you for yielding, Madam Chairwoman. I congratulate you and Ranking Member Lowey
for bringing forward the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bill for the Department of State and
foreign operations. Along with staff on both sides, you have worked tirelessly to bring this
important legislation before the subcommittee this evening, and I'm pleased that as a Committee,
we're continuing to move forward with our work in an open, transparent and regular process.

As we've worked collaboratively to reduce federal discretionary spending, we've had to make
some tough decisions about our domestic and foreign priorities. I'm incredibly pleased that this
bill strikes an appropriate balance in that respect: shaving roughly $708 million from Fiscal Year
2014 spending levels while meeting our most critical international security priorities, supporting
the promotion of democracy across the globe, and continuing our country's strong tradition for
humanitarian aid and public health.

First, the bill aims to ensure that our dedicated men and women serving overseas remain safe and
well-equipped to perform their important duties -- providing a $46 million increase above the
request for embassy and diplomatic security. The legislation also provides critical security
assistance to our valued international partners like Israel and Jordan in the Middle East, Mexico
and Colombia in Central and South America, and the Philippines. With growing and alarming
instability in the Middle East, the ongoing threat of a nuclear Iran and the potential for regional
instability, and a humanitarian crisis in Syria -- it is absolutely vital that our partners in that
region are well-supported and assured of American collaboration.

In addition, the escalating challenge of unaccompanied alien children entering our country
through the Southwest Border also demands our attention. While there are certainly some
domestic policies that are driving the unprecedented influx of Central and South American
children, I wholeheartedly agree with Chairwoman Granger that we can help mitigate this
problem by promoting border security and economic development in Mexico and south of the
Mexican border. I'm proud that this bill restores proposed cuts in the region and also requires a
quarterly update on border security. I would also like to note that the legislation provides $215
million above the request to support the people of Ukraine and the region during this time of
need. This funding will help provide security and democracy assistance as tensions with Russia
continue to escalate.

This bill will also help build democracy and promote international development with targeted
U.S. investments abroad. Critical humanitarian aid programs are maintained at Fiscal Year 2014
levels and global health programs, and polio and HIV/AIDS initiatives are funded above the President's request. We also reject the President's ill-conceived cuts to international programs
that increase access to clean water and for conservation activities.

Finally, during this time of monumental deficits and skyrocketing debt, this bill terminates many
programs and focuses on oversight and management. And for many programs, funds are only
made available after tough conditions have been met. The Chairwoman's emphasis on
supporting national security, promoting democracy and maintaining our development and
humanitarian aid abroad is the right approach for addressing our international interests. I urge
that the subcommittee promptly report this bill to the full Committee.

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