[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2005

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a timely and 
important issue: the International Affairs Budget, or 150 account as it 
is known in budget parlance.
  Just prior to adjourning the 108th Congress, we completed work on a 
major portion of the 9-11 Commission's recommendations--intelligence 
reform.
  The Commission also endorsed a second critical strategy for 
protecting America that we now must address: investing in the tools of 
a proactive foreign policy, including the range of diplomatic, 
development and humanitarian programs funded under the International 
Affairs Budget.
  These programs facilitate the formation of international coalitions, 
fund essential nonproliferation, anti-terrorism and de-mining efforts, 
respond to global challenges such as hunger and illiteracy, and help 
people build a future of hope and opportunity.
  They also build markets for U.S. exports, provide for embassy 
personnel and security, and promote good governance practices that 
strengthen democracies.
  I am joined in my support of the 150 account by my friend and 
colleague Jim Leach, who--along with 110 other members of the House 
from both sides of the aisle--recently signed a letter to the President 
asking him to support a significant increase in funding for these 
diplomatic tools and international programs.
  I would like to submit the text of that important letter for the 
Record.
  I also commend the leadership of Senators Feinstein, DeWine, Smith 
and Durbin for spearheading a similar letter to the President from 
their colleagues in the Senate.
  Over the next several weeks, the President will be putting the final 
touches on his fiscal year 2006 budget request. In light of all the 
global challenges faced by the United States, we are very hopeful that 
he will propose a substantial increase for international affairs 
programs.
  Mr. Speaker, the tragic tsunami disaster in Asia has underscored the 
need for a robust International Affairs Budget. Indeed, the 150 account 
is the mechanism that has enabled the extraordinary humanitarian relief 
efforts.
  Key actors in the rescue and recovery operations are those U.S.-
supported personnel and programs that have been on the ground for 
years: seasoned NGO staff who have established relationships with local 
governments and possess knowledge of the region's terrain; embassy 
personnel providing critical information and communications 
infrastructure; American businesses and contractors with reconstruction 
expertise and access to capital.
  Not only does the International Affairs Budget support wide-scale 
emergency humanitarian response operations--it is a critical addition 
to our military and intelligence capabilities in the fight against 
terrorism and the e1ffort to build global stability.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting a substantial increase 
in the International Affairs Budget.
                                                December 14, 2004.
     President George W. Bush,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: We are writing to express strong, 
     bipartisan support for a robust increase in the FY06 150 
     International Affairs Budget as an essential investment in 
     America's fight against terrorism and efforts to build global 
     stability through promoting economic prosperity and 
     expressing the compassion of the American people for those in 
     need around the world.
       Along with a range of intelligence and law enforcement 
     reforms, the bipartisan 9/11 Commission strongly endorsed 
     investments in the International Affairs Budget as vital to 
     protecting America and an inseparable priority from funding 
     homeland defense. In the final report, they wrote, ``long-
     term success demands the use of all elements of national 
     power: diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law 
     enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, public diplomacy 
     and homeland defense.''
       ``Terrorism is not caused by poverty,'' the 9/11 Commission 
     wrote. ``Yet when people lose hope, when societies break 
     down, when countries fragment, the breeding grounds for 
     terrorism are created.'' The International Affairs Budget 
     incorporates the full range of diplomatic tools and 
     international programs that are critical in helping to 
     stabilize the world and promote our national interests. 
     Whether it is protecting our national security, spurring 
     economic growth or supporting humanitarian efforts, the 
     International Affairs Budget is working for America.
       By investing in people, strengthening economic opportunity, 
     enhancing democracies, responding to global challenges such 
     as infectious diseases, hunger, illiteracy, environmental 
     degradation, and maternal and child health, the 150 account 
     is critical to creating a safer world. Export promotion 
     programs, commercial diplomacy, good governance and anti-
     corruption programs open markets for U.S. businesses and 
     create jobs here at home. Vigorous public diplomacy efforts, 
     secure embassies, capable telecommunications, and vibrant 
     international exchange and education programs are vital to 
     delivering America's messages of freedom and democracy around 
     the globe.
       We are more convinced than ever that America must remain 
     engaged in the world and utilize all of the tools and 
     resources that strengthen U.S. national interests--including 
     the International Affairs Budget. As you prepare the FY06 
     Federal Budget, we urge you to support substantially 
     increased funding for international affairs programs.
           Sincerely,
       Leach (R-IA), Berman (D-CA), Abercrombie (D-HI), Ackerman 
     (D-NY), Allen (D-ME), Baird (D-WA), Baldwin (D-WI), Bass (R-
     NH), Berkley (D-NV), Biggert (R-IL).
       Blumenauer (D-OR), Boehlert (R-NY), Boswell (D-IA), Brown 
     (D-OH), Capps (D-CA), Cardin (D-MD), Chandler (D-KY), Crowley 
     (D-NY), Davis (D-IL), Davis (D-FL).
       Davis (D-CA), Delahunt (D-MA), DeLauro (D-CT), Deutsch (D-
     FL), Dicks (D-WA), Dreier (R-CA), Emanuel (D-IL), Engel (D-
     NY), English (R-PA), Etheridge (D-NC).
       Farr (D-CA), Fattah (D-PA), Filner (D-CA), Frank (D-MA), 
     Gordon (D-TN), Green (D-TX), Greenwood (R-PA), Hinchey (D-
     NY), Honda (D-CA), Hoyer (D-MD).
       Inslee (D-WA), Isakson (R-GA), Jackson (D-IL), Jefferson 
     (D-LA), Johnson (R-CT), Johnson (R-IL), Kaptur (D-OH), 
     Kennedy (R-MN), Kennedy (D-RI), Kildee (D-MI).
       Kirk (R-IL), Knollenberg (R-MI), LaHood (R-IL), Lampson (D-
     TX), Langevin (D-RI), Lantos (D-CA), Larsen (D-WA), Larson 
     (D-CT), LaTourette (R-OH), Lee (D-CA).
       Levin (D-MI), Lewis (R-CA), Lewis (D-GA), Lofgren (D-CA), 
     Lowey (D-NY), Lynch (D-MA), Maloney (D-NY), Manzullo (R-IL), 
     Matsui (D-CA), McCollum (D-MN).
       McDermott (D-WA), McGovern (D-MA), Meeks (D-NY), Menendez 
     (D-NJ), Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Miller (D-CA), Moran (D-
     VA), Nadler (D-NY), Oberstar (D-MN), Owens (D-NY).
       Pallone (D-NJ), Payne (D-NJ), Pelosi (D-CA), Pomeroy (D-
     ND), Price (D-NC), Rothman (D-NJ), Rush (D-IL), Sanchez (D-
     CA), Schakowsky (D-IL), Schiff (D-CA).
       Serrano (D-NY), Shays (R-CT), Sherman (D-CA), Shimkus (R-
     IL), Simmons (R-CT), Slaughter (D-NY), Smith (D-WA), Smith 
     (R-NJ), Snyder (D-AR), Solis (D-CA).
       Stupak (D-MI), Tauscher (D-CA), Tierney (D-MA), Tubbs Jones 
     (D-OH), Udall (D-CO), Udall (D-NM), Van Hollen (D-MD), Waters 
     (D-CA), Waxman (D-CA), Weller (R-IL), Wexler (D-FL), Woolsey 
     (D-CA).




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