Van Hollen Statement on H.R. 6018, the FY13 State Department Reauthorization Act
Washington,
Jul 17, 2012 -
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of HR 6018, the State Department Authorization Act and to thank Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Berman for working together to bring this important, bi-partisan bill to the floor.
This act authorizes funds for our embassies to function and for our diplomats to promote U.S. national interests abroad.
Congress has not sent a State Authorization bill to the president's desk in years. To get this bill on the suspension calendar, it had to be scrubbed of all controversial provisions. As a consequence, the bill contains no authorization for foreign assistance programs and includes no proposals for much needed foreign aid reform. The bill does, however, include a number of provisions to provide for and protect our men and women serving to advance American interests around the world. The bill authorizes funding for the State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the multilateral organizations to which the U.S. is a party, such as the United Nations.
Our national security rests on four pillars: the strength of our democracy and economy, defense, diplomacy, and development. Whether in Yemen, where there are growing concerns about that nation becoming a safe haven for al Qaeda or in Afghanistan, where a strong diplomatic presence is helping to facilitate the transition of security responsibility from the coalition forces to the government of Afghanistan, the men and women who serve in our diplomatic corps are on the front lines, in cooperation with our armed forces, protecting U.S. national security.
Mr. Speaker, the men and women who work at the State Department provide vital services to the nation. Both Foreign Service Officers and Civil Service employees monitor and analyze developments throughout the world, and proudly represent our nation and advance our interests around the globe. It is essential that they have the resources they need to perform their jobs on behalf of our nation.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
