[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 158 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4719-H4791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
General Leave
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4665, and that I may include
tabular material on the same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Moore of Utah). Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 723 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 4665.
The Chair appoints the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans) to
preside over the Committee of the Whole.
{time} 0919
In the Committee of the Whole
Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 4665) making appropriations for the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2024, and for other purposes, with Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia in the
chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the
first time.
General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 1
hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees.
The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) and the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Chairwoman, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Chair, I am proud to speak on the fiscal year 2024 Department
of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill
for floor consideration today.
Anybody who has read the bill knows that it is pretty
straightforward. If you are a friend, an ally of the United States,
this bill supports you, but if you are an adversary or you are cozying
up to the adversaries of the United States, then, frankly, you are just
not going to like this bill.
I am extremely proud of this legislation, which was carefully and
thoughtfully developed over many, many months. In my judgment, it
reflects the values and the interests of most Americans. We carefully
reviewed all the organizations and programs that receive U.S. taxpayer
dollars in this bill. And among the key factors--let me be very blunt--
it is whether investments advance our national security interests,
whether they can show demonstrated results and our need to reduce the
national debt and to reduce spending in a responsible way.
So the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
bill totals $51.5 billion. It cuts $8.2 billion; that is a 14 percent
reduction, below the 2023 enacted level, and $17 billion or 25 percent
below the President's request. In fact, it is $2.7 billion below the
fiscal year 2019 enacted level, and it is even $288 million below the
fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
So because of those cuts, of those responsible reductions, we are now
able to prioritize funding for the national security threat posed by
the Chinese Communist Party.
Look, it is time that the U.S., that we get serious about that
maligned destabilizing negative actions of the Communist Chinese Party
around the
[[Page H4720]]
world. This measure, this bill does precisely that in an unprecedented
manner.
Let me talk a little bit about that. The bill includes $4.4 billion,
which is $1 billion above the President's budget request to fund
programs to counter the threat of the Chinese Communist Party around
the world.
For the first time, this bill includes half a billion, $500 million,
in foreign military financing for Taiwan--first time ever. These funds,
as everybody knows, are critical to support our friend and our
democratic ally, which is on the front lines of China's bullying and
China's constant threats. This bill provides unwavering support for our
democratic ally, Israel, and other key partners around the world.
Another priority is to strengthen efforts to counter fentanyl
production and trafficking. I don't have to tell you all that deadly
opioids, particularly fentanyl, are affecting every area, every
district, every neighborhood in our entire country. Madam Chair, three
hundred Americans die every single day because of fentanyl poisoning.
We must and we do use every tool to combat this horrific deadly
epidemic.
Obviously, the migration crisis at the southern border is really just
symptomatic of the administration's lack of a clear strategy toward the
Western Hemisphere. That is as nice as I can say it.
Mr. Chairman, for too long countries cozying up to our adversaries
have been rewarded, rewarded, and this bill puts a stop to that
practice. This bill also recognizes the growing threat of authoritarian
regimes even here in our own hemisphere and around the world.
Therefore, it fully funds democracy assistant accounts in support of
freedom and human rights where they are most threatened.
Now, before discussing funding for the United Nations, I just want to
remind folks, Members, and also anybody who might be watching, who is
running the show at the U.N. It would be hard to even make this stuff
up, but, unfortunately, remarkably what I am about to tell you is true.
So Russia was chair of the U.N. Security Council during the month of
April. Yeah, you heard me right. Iran is currently an elected vice
president of the U.N. General Assembly.
Communist China, whose genocide against Uyghurs and their bullying
around the world is notorious, and Cuba, one of the world's oldest,
most brutal dictatorships, both of those countries sit on the U.N.
Human Rights council. Yeah, you heard me right. North Korea--well, I
can't even begin to talk about the atrocities of that dictatorship--is
a member of the World Health Organization, while Taiwan, a responsible
democracy, has been blocked from membership of that institution by
Communist China. You can't make this stuff up. Therefore, it should
come as no surprise to anybody that no funds are included in this bill
for the U.N. regular budget.
Now, my dear friends on the other side of the aisle argue that by
cutting some of the funding to the U.N., the U.S. has given up its
leadership. I could not disagree in stronger terms. You see, simply
continuing to unconditionally channel funds to a deeply flawed
organization, despite multiple failures and, frankly, appalling, even
continuously antisemitic actions by that institution, that is actually
abandoning our responsibility to the U.S. taxpayer, and it ensures that
nothing changes in that institution that I just mentioned.
Actions need to have consequences, and the U.N. finally will feel the
consequences of their irresponsible actions because of how we deal with
them in this bill. This bill also prohibits funds for the Green Climate
Fund and the Green Technology Fund. We also address a frivolous
expansion of State Department bureaucracy. This bill eliminates funding
for special envoys and special representatives that are not authorized
or have not been confirmed by the Senate.
If they are that important, then for God's sake, have them authorized
by Congress or at least confirmed by the Senate.
Finally, this bill includes all longstanding pro-life protections,
which includes a prohibition on taxpayer funds from being used to pay
for abortions abroad, and it builds on those requirements by applying
the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy to all global
health funding.
It is not surprising that after this bill was released, my colleagues
on the other side immediately released a press release condemning it.
Now, what might surprise you is what the minority party in their
written press release actually chose to highlight that they are
objecting to in this bill. Their press release criticized that this
bill prohibits funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology--Heck, yeah,
we prohibit funding to that institution--or that we prohibit funding to
the EcoHealth Alliance or gain-of-function research. And quoting from
my colleagues on the Democratic side, their criticism of this bill,
that we reduce funding for ``any lab controlled by China, Russia, Cuba,
Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela.'' I am quoting from their press
release.
Heck yeah, we are cutting funding for institutions from those
countries. These countries are, in essence, on the official list of the
United States foreign adversaries, and three, by the way, are on the
State Sponsor of Terrorism list. Does any taxpayer think that taxpayer
funds should be going to labs in those places? Really?
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle also expressed in
writing concerns of what they call partisan riders that specifically
highlighted the provisions on funds in this bill to the government of
the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party; and, also, that we prevent
lending from international financial institutions to the PRC. They put
that in writing.
Well, one thing is true. They got that right. They caught me. We are
eliminating funding to adversaries of the United States of America. I
would argue it is about damn time we did that. I look forward to
hearing my colleagues on the other side of the aisle explain why U.S.
taxpayer money should be funding those programs, and, by the way, why
writing a blank check to any organization is a demonstration of
leadership. It is not.
Mr. Chairman, before I close, I thank the staff from the
Appropriations Committee for their amazing work on this bill: Susan
Adams, who is here with me; Craig Higgins; Jamie McCormick; Trey Hicks;
Meg Gallagher; John Muscolini; Clelia Alvarado; and Joe Cutler; and
equally from the minority side--and I always butcher her last name, and
I apologize because I will probably do it again--Erin Kolodjeski,
Laurie Mignon, and Lillian Wasvary.
I thank members of my personal staff from my office: Cesar Gonzalez,
Gisselle Reynolds, and Autumn Morley.
I thank our Chairman for bringing this crucial legislation to the
floor, which supports our allies and protects our national security in
a smart, efficient, effective, and thoughtful way.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Moore of Utah). The gentleman from Florida
reserves.
Ms. LEE of California. I claim time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR: The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose H.R. 4665.
This bill would impose devastating cuts on programs meant to keep
both America and the world safe. With all due respect to my friend and
colleague and the chair of this committee, I am not an adversary of the
United States. Democrats are patriotic, and we want our country to lead
in global security and peace. This bill does just the opposite.
This Republican bill would slash the allocation for international
programs by nearly one-third, a level not seen since 2009. Do my
Republican colleagues really think that our international challenges
have shrunk? I don't know what world they are living in. The bill
undermines the fight against climate change, and it would destroy our
influence at the United Nations during a time when China and Russia are
working to expand their voice and their role.
Most outrageously, the bill would gut programs intended to help the
most vulnerable people in the world, undermining American global
leadership and making a mockery of our human values and leaving a huge
void for adversaries to fill.
I have spent much of my time in Congress talking about the three d's
of our
[[Page H4721]]
national security: diplomacy, development, and defense. Each of these
has a role to play in keeping our country safe and secure, and creating
a world where kids and our grandkids can prosper.
The SFOPS bill is supposed to fund two of those d's, diplomacy and
development. Instead, this Republican bill throws the three d's
completely out of whack.
If House Republicans get their way, the Pentagon would receive 20
times more--let me repeat that, 20 times more--what this bill invests
in diplomacy and development combined. Even our military leaders have
spoken out against cuts to diplomacy and development because they know
gutting these programs makes their jobs harder. Former Defense
Secretary Mattis has famously said: If you don't fully fund the State
Department, then I have to buy more ammunition.
Mr. Chair, the PRC now has more embassies and diplomats around the
world than any other nation, including more than the United States, but
Republicans would cut funding for our embassies and diplomats by $1.2
billion.
We have watched as the PRC challenges us at the United Nations and
other multilateral institutions, working to insert their values of
authoritarianism and disrespect for human rights, but Republicans are
proposing to cut funding to the United Nations, leaving our adversaries
waiting to fill the void that we leave behind.
The Republican bill asks our diplomats and development professionals
to do more monitoring, reporting, and oversight, but then it
shortchanges them on the funding that they need for operations and
staffing. This is quite sinister.
The bill invites the culture wars into foreign policy by making
diversity, drag queens, and critical race theory bogeymen and
bogeywomen, distracting us from the real life-or-death challenges
facing our world. It doesn't make any sense.
The bill also takes a really dishonest approach to the threat posed
by climate change. Right now, people all around the world are
confronting the impacts of human-caused climate change, life-
threatening temperatures, crop failures, floods, and severe weather.
They need help confronting the problem we largely created. Yet, the
majority pretends that our climate finance investments are about
controlling the planet's temperature, like some sort of global
thermostat. That is not how it works. We have countries that might
literally not exist in a generation because of the changes that are
already happening.
We are spending billions each and every year, both here at home and
overseas, dealing with humanitarian emergencies and responding to ever-
stronger storms, raging fires, and devastating droughts. Failing to
invest and adapt to the new reality means continued and escalating
conflict and crisis, which puts Americans and people everywhere at
risk.
Around the world, 218 million women still do not have access to the
tools needed to decide when and how to have a baby. While hundreds of
thousands of them die in childbirth, we are going to make it harder for
women to access care through both policies and reduced funding in this
bill.
I am very upset about how this bill attacks efforts to strengthen
diversity in our foreign policy workforce. The rich diversity of the
United States is one of our greatest strengths. People around the
world--religious and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities,
LGBTQ+ people--look first to the United States for support and
inspiration as they seek to claim their human rights. It is
unimaginable to me that my Republican colleagues--well, no, it is not
really, given what is taking place in our own country. Once again, you
all see a threat in our efforts to make sure that our diplomats and
development experts reflect and respect that same diversity.
The world is watching us. The world is full of threats that don't
respect borders, from climate change to pandemics to assertive
dictators. Most countries would prefer to partner with the United
States to confront these challenges. By bringing this bill to the floor
with these cuts, to the House floor, mind you, the Republican majority
broadcasts a clear message to the world to take a hike. Trust me, the
PRC is ready to take advantage of our absence, and I think everyone has
seen this around the world.
Mr. Chair, it is September 28. The government may shut down,
unfortunately, even though we are fighting as Democrats to prevent this
from happening, but today, we are considering a bill that has no chance
of becoming law. We should be working today to make sure that we keep
our government open.
House Democrats will not support a bill if it means turning our backs
on the world's most vulnerable women or the looming threat of climate
change.
In the end, final appropriations bills will need bicameral and
bipartisan support, and today, we will likely get further away from
that goal, not closer. This really is wasting everyone's time.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this destructive bill. We
are not adversaries. We are patriotic, and we want our country to
succeed in its mission and its role as a global leader leading peace
and security efforts throughout the planet.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), a champion of human rights.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend for
yielding.
Mr. Chair, the State-Foreign Operations bill under consideration
today continues and strengthens the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief, PEPFAR, for another year, fiscal year 2024, ensuring that
critically needed medicines, including antiretrovirals, or ARVs, and
other lifesaving interventions are available to those who need them in
Africa and elsewhere.
Mr. Chair, I especially thank Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart and the
Committee on Appropriations for insisting that the noble purpose of
PEPFAR is not compromised or undercut by integrating and merging other
agendas, including and especially the promotion of abortion by
massively funding pro-abortion foreign nongovernmental organizations
and instructing them to repeal pro-life laws.
To that end, the new State Department bill reinstates the protecting
life and global health assistance policy, also known as the Mexico City
policy.
Sadly, upon assuming office, President Biden repealed Ronald Reagan's
old Mexico City policy, which ensured that PEPFAR's over $6 billion a
year in taxpayer grant money wasn't subsidizing foreign NGOs that
perform or promote abortion. Biden's PEPFAR Core Program--and this
needs to be underscored because some people say they are not doing it--
says they promote protecting sexual reproductive health and rights,
including the ongoing rescission of the Mexico City policy.
The executive director of UNAIDS, a prime PEPFAR partner composed of
WHO, UNFPA, and other U.N. agencies, welcomed Biden's repeal of the
pro-life policy, saying that it showed his commitment to abortion
rights.
Mr. Chair, a June 6th letter signed by 131 African lawmakers and
religious leaders, including the speaker of the Parliament of Ghana,
implored Congress not to--I say again, not to--exploit PEPFAR to
promote abortion, stating: ``We want to express our concerns and
suspicions that this funding is supporting . . . abortion,'' which
``violates our core beliefs concerning life, family, and religion.''
Most of the African countries are solidly pro-life, and they are
under siege by the NGOs that we are supporting. The Mexico City policy
helps to ensure that that doesn't happen.
They went on to say: ``We ask that PEPFAR remain true to its original
mission and respect our norms, traditions, and values. We ask that
those partner organizations with whom the U.S. Government partners to
implement PEPFAR programs . . . are cognizant and respectful of our
beliefs and not cross over into promoting divisive ideas and practices
that are not consistent with those of Africa.''
Last year, showing no doubt of the pro-abortion goals of this
administration, they announced a sweeping new radical policy known as
Reimagining PEPFAR's Strategic Decision. They said that it integrates
sexual reproductive health and rights. Of course, that means abortion
with HIV/AIDS work.
[[Page H4722]]
Mr. Chair, in a recent op-ed, former Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote:
``It is incredibly disappointing, but not surprising, that the Biden
administration has hijacked one of President George W. Bush's greatest
accomplishments, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, to
promote apportion on demand in the developing world.''
He continued: ``President Biden's insincere and demonstrably false
claim that PEPFAR isn't pushing abortion on demand in Africa and
elsewhere collapses under any serious scrutiny of its partners.''
They say they are not doing it. They are empowering the NGOs to do
it. Just like in this Chamber, the House and Senate, and all over this
country, we know it is the NGOs, Planned Parenthood and others, that
tee up and promote very aggressively for abortion right up until the
moment of birth.
Mr. Chair, I strongly supported PEPFAR when it was created in 2003,
and I was the sponsor of the reauthorization of PEPFAR in 2018.
Regrettably, it has been reimagined, hijacked by the Biden
administration to empower pro-abortion international NGOs, deviating
from its life-affirming work.
It is time we got back to the original noble idea, for which there is
a strong bipartisan, bicameral consensus. That noble goal is to prevent
this devastating disease, robustly treat and assist those who have been
affected, and ultimately end HIV/AIDS around the world, not supporting
abortion, the killing of unborn children by dismemberment, chemical
poisoning.
Do you know what the abortion pill does? It starves the baby to
death. That is its operation. They are trying to disseminate that all
over Africa.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the ranking member of the
Appropriations Committee.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the 2024 State,
foreign operations, and related programs funding bill.
I will begin with comments from President Trump's former Secretary of
Defense, Mark Esper. He had this to say in response to this very bill's
cut of the State and foreign operations allocation: ``When we don't
lead, we create a vacuum that will be filled instead by China.'' He
continued: ``America's leadership means more than just military
capability. Diplomacy and foreign assistance are part of it, too. This
proposed budget would upend that relationship by gutting our civilian
toolkit and depriving America of the diplomatic leadership whose
benefits I have seen last a lifetime.''
Also, the Global Health Council, together with 70 other
organizations--Catholic Relief Services, United States Global
Leadership Coalition, American Jewish Committee, InterAction, ONE
Campaign, Christian Connections for International Health, and CARE
USA--expressed serious national security concerns with the House
Republicans' funding plan.
Mr. Chair, I plan to submit a compilation of these concerns for the
record.
We are told that this 2024 State and foreign operations funding bill
is tough on our adversaries. The opposite is true. This bill cedes
America's position as the leader of the global community. It weakens
our national security, shortchanges foreign assistance, hinders our
ability to address the climate crisis, and harms women around the
world.
This is a reversal of the United States' historic position on the
world stage and promotes isolationism. We are supposed to be leaders of
the free world. The majority is diminishing the United States, what we
stand for, and what our values are for our own people and for people
around the world who look to us for inspiration and hope.
Damage has already been done as partners and allies wonder whether
the United States will be with them or whether they will be forced to
turn to China or Russia to get needed investment or support in
international institutions.
With China surpassing the United States as the largest trading
partner in many countries in Latin America and Africa, China has more
embassies, consulates, and diplomats than any other country in the
world. They are contesting our model of democracy and capitalism around
the world, and they are going virtually unchallenged.
This bill is an unfathomable reduction of our Nation's ability to
engage in diplomacy and to project soft power by over one-third.
Knowing such a cut would be irresponsible and lead to negative
repercussions around the world, this bill claws back billions of
dollars, $11 billion of which comes from the EPA's Greenhouse Gas
Reduction Fund, part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Yesterday, this body debated how to address the challenges related to
the thousands of desperate people reaching our southern border.
However, with these cuts, the Department of State and USAID will be
forced to reduce programs that engage countries like Colombia and
Guatemala to address the very conditions causing people to flee to the
United States. We cannot wait to address the issue when people are
already at our border.
We all know what we should be doing right now, and this is not it.
This is an exercise in futility because this bill is going nowhere.
The urgent issue is to keep our government open. Everyone in this
body knows that keeping the U.S. Government running and passing full-
year bills will require bipartisanship. We have a bipartisan agreement
in the Senate, a compromise to keep our government open and to address
the Nation's concerns. Let us move in that direction.
Democrats and Republicans already compromised when they passed the
debt limit bill, but because House Republicans immediately reneged,
they have moved us to the brink of a shutdown, a Republican shutdown
that will have consequences on every senior, veteran, and child in
America and on our diplomats and our servicemembers around the world.
Let us move to keep our government open and support the Senate's
bipartisan compromise.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I want to be very clear that I have heard
now that somehow this bill damages the reputation of the United States.
No.
Do you know what damaged the reputation of the United States, Mr.
Chairman? That irresponsible withdrawal from Afghanistan that showed
the entire world what bad leadership is all about.
This bill confronts our adversaries--$1 billion more to confront
China than the President could do while we spend a lot less money. It
stands by our friends. It confronts our adversaries.
The problem about credibility is not with this bill. It is with the
President of the United States that, at best, is confused.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Meng), a member of the State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the fiscal
year 2024 State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill.
As a member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Subcommittee, I am appalled by the dangerous cuts and policy riders the
majority has attached to this bill.
Yesterday, we heard from our friends across the aisle that the
purpose of our military is to deter a war if diplomacy fails. Cutting
funding for our State Department to levels not seen since 2009 and
proposing eliminating funding for USAID not only cedes America's
position as a leader on the world stage but also eliminates funding for
the very programs that seek to prevent violence and advance stability
in areas vulnerable to conflict. This bill weakens our national
security, not enhances it.
This bill also harms women all around the world. From eliminating our
contributions to critical multilateral agencies, including U.N. Women
and UNFPA, to cutting bilateral and multilateral international
reproductive health funding by nearly a third, we are sending a message
that the U.S. is willing to cede its role in helping the international
community achieve global health targets, address unacceptably high
global maternal mortality rates and gender-based violence, support
healthy families, or promote gender equity. This is all at the behest
of the majority's culture war.
[[Page H4723]]
I do not accept the premise that we are willing to risk 8.2 million
women and couples losing access to contraceptive services, resulting in
2.7 million more unintended pregnancies leading to 1.1 million
additional unplanned births and an additional 4,700 maternal deaths.
Women and girls deserve better.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful legislation.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), a member of the State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.
Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition
to the 2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act because it cedes our leadership in the
global community, undermines human rights, and diminishes access to
healthcare, education, food, and economic security for millions around
the world.
Why should we care? It comes down to this: When people lack access to
the basics in life, it means a greater risk for hopelessness and
instability. Gutting climate change activities only escalates the
consequences. For Americans at home, that means fewer trading partners,
more danger from violent extremists, global pandemics, and even war.
We live in a very complicated world, and this bill undermines
diplomacy and commitments to our allies and partners to make the world
a better place in which to live, upending our commitments to the United
Nations, and turning our back on decades of relationship-building,
leaving a vacuum for unfriendly countries to fill.
If that is not enough, it hurts the most vulnerable women and girls
in the world, slashing funding for women's healthcare and family
planning and blocking access to reproductive care.
Mr. Chair, let me make it clear to the politicians in this room:
Women, not the folks in this Chamber, should decide whether and when a
woman should start or continue a family.
Tragically, this bill is going to leave our country and the world
less healthy, less safe, and even more divided.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of
the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the
State-Foreign Operations bill while having tremendous respect for my
colleague from Florida, with whom I share many points of view, but
certainly not on the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill
before us.
Here we are, for the fourth time this week, bringing forward a bill
that has no chance of becoming law. This bill is supposed to invest in
programs and people that ensure the national security of the United
States, protects her interests abroad, and promotes our democratic
values around the world.
This bill is supposed to show that the United States stands up for
our allies and democratic values while countering adversaries on the
global stage.
This bill is supposed to fund the programs that improve the lives of
women and girls around the world by investing in education, health, and
economic development.
It is supposed to ensure the United States can effectively wield our
soft power.
Instead, this bill packages devastating cuts with petty partisan
riders. It needlessly harms our career servicemembers and diplomats. It
sends a message that the United States is willing to abdicate our role
as a moral superpower, a role China and Russia are eager to fill. This
bill says we will abandon our allies, our interests, and our democratic
agenda all to cater to the whims of an extreme fringe.
The world is at an inflection point, more complex, more rife with
threats than ever before. If there is any doubt, just look around.
Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine, and China has ratcheted up
its aggression in the Indo-Pacific and ruthlessly cracked down on
dissent at home. Authoritarians and dictators prop each other up, from
Latin America to the Middle East. They all bait the United States,
challenging us to step up or stand down.
In the face of that, this bill abdicates our responsibility to offer
a viable alternative to protect allies and our vital interests here and
around the globe.
We all know that when we gut programs to promote global education and
health, when we cast aside entrepreneurship support, and when we
neglect multilateral institutions doing vital work, we undermine our
ability and credibility to protect and defend, to truly make sure that
we can keep the world safe with our allies.
We lose our seat at the global table to ruthless thugs, dictators,
and fascists when we try to pass harmful policy like this bill
proposes. We do that at our own peril and imperil everything that
Americans hold dear, which is why I encourage my colleagues to oppose
this cruel and dangerous bill.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
First, let me take a minute on the many partisan riders included in
the bill being considered today and raise a couple of points.
The number of prohibitions seems to be really enormous. They have
proliferated, often with little concern for what the actual
ramifications might be.
It appears to be the approach of: If an organization has ever done
something that you have not liked or a wild theory has circulated about
it, we will just prohibit it. We will pick up our ball and take it
home.
{time} 1000
This is not just ineffective; it is really immature.
The bill prohibits funds for the Chinese Communist Party. This sounds
tough. I was the previous chairwoman of the subcommittee, and this bill
has not provided funding to the Chinese Communist Party. It is a red
herring.
It prohibits scientific cooperation with countries we do not like,
not stopping to consider that while there may or may not be active
collaboration currently, there may come a time when it is in the United
States' best interest to partner, not with the government, but with the
people, with scientists, to pursue common goals.
Indeed, we carried on scientific cooperation with the Soviet Union
during the Cold War, not because we agree with their government, but it
was in our own interest.
The bill prohibits gain-of-function research. That sounds good but
consider that this same prohibited research is producing new therapies
for cancer and cystic fibrosis. This research also helps us produce
insulin for people with diabetes.
Has the majority considered what the cost will be of cutting this
off?
The bill prohibits funding for the World Health Organization because
they won't admit Taiwan. It is the member countries of the WHO that are
making this decision, not the organization. With this bill, the PRC
will continue to work against Taiwan's inclusion, but the United States
won't be there to help.
We are told that this bill is strong against our adversaries. I would
argue just the opposite. This bill takes the easy route and leaves the
field open for those who would challenge us. It makes dialogue and
engagement harder and leaves our potential partners and allies who are
deciding who they can turn to for help high and dry and, of course,
that won't be the United States.
A couple points on the United Nations. The U.N. is the forum for
every country in the world. The United States, to my knowledge, does
not get to pick who gets to be a sovereign country. Leadership of the
United Nations committees, the general assembly, they all rotate among
members, which the chairman knows. This makes it even more important
that the United States fully participates. This bill endangers that.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes.
Mr. Chairman, I have great respect for the ranking member of this
subcommittee because, I will tell you
[[Page H4724]]
what, she is consistent, and we have developed a very good
relationship.
You have heard it right now. Yes, this bill prohibits funding for the
Wuhan Institute of Virology, the EcoHealth Alliance, gain-of-function
research, and it also prohibits funding for any lab controlled by
China, Russia, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela.
We have a difference of opinion.
I believe that taxpayer money going to labs controlled by these
countries is just not something we should be doing. There is an
absolute difference of opinion on that. If anybody believes that U.S.
taxpayer money should be going for those things, then you are going to
have a problem with that part of this bill.
If you, however, believe that U.S. taxpayer money should not go to
fund those labs controlled by those countries, I would then ask you to
support this bill.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, the chairman and I respect each
other. We have different points of view, and I consider us friends
also.
I know, and I think the chairman knows, that many of our Republican
colleagues do support robust investments in the SFOPS bill because I
have seen the thousands of requests that Members have submitted this
year and in prior years.
There is a long legacy of enlightened Republican support for foreign
assistance. Congressional Republicans worked with Harry Truman to
create the Marshall Plan which rebuilt Europe after a devastating war.
I worked with President Bush to create PEPFAR, which has saved 25
million lives from HIV and AIDS.
Yet, the majority has chosen to force this bill to the floor because
they cynically believe that their Members will be happy to sacrifice
the world's poorest people to make a political point.
To my Republican colleagues--I see you here on the floor today, and I
am asking you to stand up and, yes, oppose this terrible bill. Please
vote ``no,'' and let's get back together and write a bill that helps
build the better and safer world that we want for our children and our
grandchildren.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I think we have discussed some of the
issues in this bill. I think it is a very positive bill. It supports
our allies, and it confronts our adversaries. It also controls wasteful
spending. Wasteful spending is one of the reasons we have inflation at
the highest level we have had in decades.
Mr. Chairman, since the ranking member has yielded back her time, I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R.
4665--Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2024.
While I am grateful the Rules Committee made my Jackson Lee Amendment
16 in order, I strongly oppose the underlying bill.
I will, however, briefly recap why my amendment is important for this
particular measure should we be able to move forward with a feasible
appropriations bill that can accommodate this amendment.
The Jackson Lee Amendment 16 increases funds by $1,000,000 and
decreases funding by $1,000,000 for the Global Health Programs account
to highlight and support the fight against the practice of Female
Genital Mutilation.
I have been a dedicated champion against this practice for a long
while, working closely with former Congressman Joe Crowley of New York
to introduce legislation targeted at supporting the elimination of this
ludicrous practice of mutilating young women.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) comprises all procedures
that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia,
or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
This practice is rooted in gender inequality and is often linked to
other elements of gender-based violence and discrimination, such as
child marriage and recognized internationally as a violation of the
human rights of women and girls.
Unfortunately, this means an estimated 200 million girls and women
alive today have been victims of FGM/C, with girls 14 and younger
representing 44 million of those who have been cut.
For example, consider that around the world, at least five girls are
mutilated/cut every hour and more than 3 million girls are estimated to
be at risk of FGM/C, annually.
The impacts of FGM/C on the physical health of women and girls can
include bleeding, infection, obstetric fistula, complications during
childbirth and death.
Other significant barriers to combatting the practice of FGM/C
include the high concentration in specific regions associated with
several cultural traditions, that is not tied to any one religion.
According to UNICEF, FGM/C is reported to occur in all parts of the
world, but is most prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and
Asia.
Due to the commonality of this practice many migrants to the U.S.
bring the practice of FGM/C with them, increasing the importance of
combatting FGM/C abroad.
Jackson Lee Amendment 16 prioritizes funding for foreign assistance
to combat Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), an internationally
recognized violation of the human rights of girls and women comes to an
end.
Yet, as it pertains to the underlying appropriations bill, I stand
with the Administration and my colleagues to express my opposition for
the following noted reasons:
Treasury High-Leverage Programs. I strongly oppose section 7061(b) of
the bill, which prohibits funding being made available to the Clean
Technology Fund. The $425 million requested for this account would
support a loan of $1.2 billion. It is disappointing that the bill does
not support loan guarantees at the multilateral development banks,
where $111 million in subsidy would leverage $3 billion in loan
guarantees to finance energy security. The appropriations for this bill
should include the requested authority to use existing resources for
loans to the International Monetary Fund's Poverty Reduction and Growth
Trust and Resilience and Sustainability Trust, which would leverage
billions of dollars to accelerate progress in developing countries.
Global Health. I appreciate that the bill includes full funding for
the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and urges the
Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR for another five-year period to
accelerate global progress toward reaching HIV epidemic control.
However, it is deeply troubling that the bill significantly reduces
funding available for global health security, which would leave the
world more vulnerable to infectious disease threats and pandemics.
Reproductive Health Restrictions. It is also deeply concerning that
the bill includes new restrictions on lifesaving global family planning
and reproductive health (FP/RH) services and other global health
assistance; these excessive conditions would undermine U.S. efforts to
combat infectious diseases and to advance gender equality globally by
restricting America's ability to support health programs. Section
7058(b) of the bill imposes a ceiling on FP/RH funding levels that is
far below the longstanding enacted level, leaving even more women
without access to these essential health services. Further, section
7057(a) of the bill prohibits funding for the United Nations Population
Fund, which provides essential work to address preventable maternal
deaths and the unmet need for family planning, prevent and respond to
gender-based violence, and end harmful practices around the world,
including in places where the United States does not have its own
programming, as well as in many humanitarian crises. In addition,
section 7057(b) of the bill would require application of a harmful
policy that imposes excessive conditions that would undermine U.S.
foreign and development assistance. Similar prior restrictions, which
were ended by the President during his first days in office, affected
local partners around the world receiving global health assistance,
limiting the United States' ability to work with these partners and
inhibiting their efforts to confront a range of health challenges.
Diplomatic and Development Workforce. It is deeply concerning that
the bill would reduce funding for America's international affairs
workforce and operations by nearly 20 percent, which would
significantly curtail implementation of U.S. foreign policy, and would
likely reduce U.S. presence overseas. This funding level, along with
the large number of directives in the bill, would force the Department
of State to make very difficult tradeoffs, and could result in hiring
freezes, reductions in force, and contract suspensions.
United Nations (UN) and Other International Organizations. It is
further deeply concerning that the bill does not include funding for
the UN regular budget and many other international organizations. The
bill includes more than $1 billion in draconian reductions that would
undermine U.S. leadership, compromise America's ability to meet its
treaty obligations, and limit U.S. capacity to address shared global
challenges, while inviting America's adversaries to take America's
place. The bill also provides no funding for the International
Organizations and Programs account, which would eliminate critical
resources to organizations such as the UN High Commissioner for
[[Page H4725]]
Human Rights and the UN Children's Fund, which provide essential life-
saving services to women and children around the world.
Humanitarian Assistance. I am also disappointed at the significant
reduction, below the FY 2023 enacted levels, provided in the bill for
life-saving humanitarian assistance during a time of record
displacement and complex challenges worldwide. The bill also provides
no new funding for the President's Emergency Refugee and Migration
Assistance Fund, which is currently depleted and requires replenishment
to enable the United States to respond to unexpected humanitarian
crises.
Prohibitions. I also strongly oppose the inclusion of prohibitions
throughout the bill, such as in sections 7064(e)(3), 7061(a), 7070, and
7059(f), that limit the Administration's flexibility in advancing key
national security and foreign policy objectives. These include
prohibitions related to funding for special envoys and similar
positions, the Green Climate Fund, LGBTQI+ protections, and the Gender
Equity and Equality Action Fund focused on advancing women's economic
security, among others.
Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). I am disappointed that the
bill fails to provide the requested increase of 20,000 visas to the
Afghan SIVs cap or to extend Afghan SIV program through 2029. This
program demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the United States to
Afghan allies who have supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan for
over two decades.
Rescissions. I am also deeply troubled that the bill rescinds over
$1.5 billion across the Development Assistance, Economic Support Fund,
and Peace Corps accounts. These rescissions would drastically reduce
the U.S. Government's ability to support U.S. allies and partners to
defend shared national security interests and to combat poverty,
corruption, and food insecurity.
Clean Technology Rescission. I am also disappointed that the bill
would rescind $11 billion in funding provided by the Inflation
Reduction Act for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program at EPA.
This rescission would eliminate funds designed to mobilize private
capital into clean technology projects, especially in low-income and
disadvantaged communities, that would expand economic opportunities in
communities, reduce harmful pollution, and protect people's health
while tackling the climate crisis.
Constitutional Concerns. Certain provisions of the draft bill raise
constitutional concerns, including by interfering with the President's
authority to determine the command of the Armed Forces, to recognize
territorial sovereignty, and to conduct diplomacy.
We can do better. We are better than this. The American people
deserve better.
I cannot support this bill as it stands, and I urge all my colleagues
to vote against this cruel proposal.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Molinaro). All time for general debate has
expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment
under the 5-minute rule.
The amendment printed in part C of House Report 118-216, shall be
considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered
read.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4665
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other
purposes, namely:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY
Department of State
Administration of Foreign Affairs
diplomatic programs
For necessary expenses of the Department of State and the
Foreign Service not otherwise provided for, including for
training, human resources management, and salaries, including
employment without regard to civil service and classification
laws of persons on a temporary basis (not to exceed
$700,000), as authorized by section 801 of the United States
Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (62 Stat.
11; Chapter 36); for the regional bureaus of the Department
of State and overseas activities as authorized by law; for
the functional bureaus of the Department of State, including
representation to certain international organizations in
which the United States participates pursuant to treaties
ratified pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate or
specific Acts of Congress, general administration, and arms
control, nonproliferation, and disarmament activities as
authorized; and for security activities, $8,815,620,000
(reduced by $306,505,000), of which $712,418,000 may remain
available until September 30, 2025, and of which
$4,066,168,000 is for Worldwide Security Protection, which
may remain available until expended: Provided, That funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act under
this heading and under the heading ``Consular and Border
Security Programs'' shall be made available to increase
consular staff, reduce passport processing times, and lower
wait times for visa services, including by assigning onboard
staff for temporary duty to meet immediate consular staffing
needs.
consular and border security programs
Of the amounts deposited in the Consular and Border
Security Programs account in this or any prior fiscal year
pursuant to section 7069(e) of the Department of State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2022 (division K of Public Law 117-103), $300,000,000 shall
be available until expended for the purposes of such account,
including to reduce passport backlogs and reduce visa wait
times: Provided, That the Secretary of State may by
regulation authorize State officials or the United States
Postal Service to collect and retain the execution fee for
each application for a passport accepted by such officials or
by that Service.
capital investment fund
For necessary expenses of the Capital Investment Fund, as
authorized, $346,210,000, to remain available until expended.
office of inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General,
$108,165,000, of which $16,225,000 may remain available until
September 30, 2025: Provided, That funds appropriated under
this heading are made available notwithstanding section
209(a)(1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
3929(a)(1)), as it relates to post inspections.
In addition, for the Special Inspector General for
Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) for reconstruction
oversight, $26,835,000, to remain available until September
30, 2025: Provided, That funds appropriated under this
heading that are made available for the printing and
reproduction costs of SIGAR shall not exceed amounts for such
costs during the prior fiscal year.
educational and cultural exchange programs
For necessary expenses of educational and cultural exchange
programs, as authorized, $700,946,000, to remain available
until expended, of which not less than $287,500,000 shall be
for the Fulbright Program: Provided, That fees or other
payments received from, or in connection with, English
teaching, educational advising and counseling programs, and
exchange visitor programs as authorized may be credited to
this account, to remain available until expended: Provided
further, That any substantive modifications from the prior
fiscal year to programs funded by this Act under this heading
shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
representation expenses
For representation expenses as authorized, $7,415,000.
protection of foreign missions and officials
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided, to enable
the Secretary of State to provide for extraordinary
protective services, as authorized, $27,492,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025.
embassy security, construction, and maintenance
For necessary expenses for carrying out the Foreign Service
Buildings Act of 1926 (22 U.S.C. 292 et seq.), preserving,
maintaining, repairing, and planning for real property that
are owned or leased by the Department of State, and
renovating, in addition to funds otherwise available, the
Harry S Truman Building, $917,381,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2028, of which not to exceed $25,000 may
be used for overseas representation expenses as authorized:
Provided, That none of the funds appropriated in this
paragraph shall be available for acquisition of furniture,
furnishings, or generators for other departments and agencies
of the United States Government.
In addition, for the costs of worldwide security upgrades,
acquisition, and construction as authorized, $1,095,801,000,
to remain available until expended.
emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service
For necessary expenses to enable the Secretary of State to
meet unforeseen emergencies arising in the Diplomatic and
Consular Service, as authorized, $10,685,000, to remain
available until expended, of which not to exceed $1,000,000
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds appropriated by
this Act under the heading ``Repatriation Loans Program
Account''.
repatriation loans program account
For the cost of direct loans, $1,800,000, as authorized:
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
such funds are available to subsidize gross obligations for
the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed
$5,167,004.
payment to the american institute in taiwan
For necessary expenses to carry out the Taiwan Relations
Act (Public Law 96-8), $34,964,000.
international center, washington, district of columbia
Not to exceed $1,842,732 shall be derived from fees
collected from other executive agencies for lease or use of
facilities at the
[[Page H4726]]
International Center in accordance with section 4 of the
International Center Act (Public Law 90-553), and, in
addition, as authorized by section 5 of such Act, $744,000,
to be derived from the reserve authorized by such section, to
be used for the purposes set out in that section.
payment to the foreign service retirement and disability fund
For payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and
Disability Fund, as authorized, $158,900,000.
International Organizations
contributions to international organizations
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to meet
annual obligations of membership in international
multilateral organizations, pursuant to treaties ratified
pursuant to the advice and consent of the Senate,
conventions, or specific Acts of Congress, $245,795,000:
Provided, That the Secretary of State shall, at the time of
the submission of the President's budget to Congress under
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, transmit to
the Committees on Appropriations the most recent biennial
budget prepared by the United Nations for the operations of
the United Nations: Provided further, That the Secretary of
State shall notify the Committees on Appropriations at least
15 days in advance (or in an emergency, as far in advance as
is practicable) of any United Nations action to increase
funding for any United Nations program without identifying an
offsetting decrease elsewhere in the United Nations budget:
Provided further, That not later than May 1, 2024, and 30
days after the end of fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of
State shall report to the Committees on Appropriations any
credits attributable to the United States, including from the
United Nations Tax Equalization Fund, and provide updated
fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025 assessment costs
including offsets from available credits and updated foreign
currency exchange rates: Provided further, That any such
credits shall only be available for United States assessed
contributions to the United Nations regular budget, and the
Committees on Appropriations shall be notified when such
credits are applied to any assessed contribution, including
any payment of arrearages: Provided further, That any
notification regarding funds appropriated or otherwise made
available under this heading in this Act or prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs submitted pursuant to
section 7015 of this Act, section 34 of the State Department
Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2706), or any
operating plan submitted pursuant to section 7062 of this
Act, shall include an estimate of all known credits currently
attributable to the United States and provide updated
assessment costs including offsets from available credits and
updated foreign currency exchange rates: Provided further,
That any payment of arrearages under this heading shall be
directed to activities that are mutually agreed upon by the
United States and the respective international organization
and shall be subject to the regular notification procedures
of the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That
none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be
available for a United States contribution to an
international organization for the United States share of
interest costs made known to the United States Government by
such organization for loans incurred on or after October 1,
1984, through external borrowings: Provided further, That
none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available
under this heading may be made available for the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency.
contributions for international peacekeeping activities
For necessary expenses to pay assessed and other expenses
of international peacekeeping activities directed to the
maintenance or restoration of international peace and
security, $1,268,886,000 (reduced by $667,296,000), of which
$190,333,000 may remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That none of the funds made available by this Act
shall be obligated or expended for any new or expanded United
Nations peacekeeping mission unless, at least 15 days in
advance of voting for such mission in the United Nations
Security Council (or in an emergency as far in advance as is
practicable), the Committees on Appropriations are notified
of: (1) the estimated cost and duration of the mission, the
objectives of the mission, the national interest that will be
served, and the exit strategy; and (2) the sources of funds,
including any reprogrammings or transfers, that will be used
to pay the cost of the new or expanded mission, and the
estimated cost in future fiscal years: Provided further,
That none of the funds appropriated under this heading may be
made available for obligation unless the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the Committees on Appropriations on
a peacekeeping mission-by-mission basis that the United
Nations is implementing effective policies and procedures to
prevent United Nations employees, contractor personnel, and
peacekeeping troops serving in such mission from trafficking
in persons, exploiting victims of trafficking, or committing
acts of sexual exploitation and abuse or other violations of
human rights, and to hold accountable individuals who engage
in such acts while participating in such mission, including
prosecution in their home countries and making information
about such prosecutions publicly available on the website of
the United Nations: Provided further, That the Secretary of
State shall work with the United Nations and foreign
governments contributing peacekeeping troops to implement
effective vetting procedures to ensure that such troops have
not violated human rights: Provided further, That funds
shall be available for peacekeeping expenses unless the
Secretary of State determines that United States
manufacturers and suppliers are not being given opportunities
to provide equipment, services, and material for United
Nations peacekeeping activities equal to those being given to
foreign manufacturers and suppliers: Provided further, That
none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available
under this heading may be used for any United Nations
peacekeeping mission that will involve United States Armed
Forces under the command or operational control of a foreign
national, unless the President's military advisors have
submitted to the President a recommendation that such
involvement is in the national interest of the United States
and the President has submitted to Congress such a
recommendation: Provided further, That not later than May 1,
2024, and 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2024, the
Secretary of State shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations any credits attributable to the United States,
including those resulting from United Nations peacekeeping
missions or the United Nations Tax Equalization Fund, and
provide updated fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025
assessment costs, including offsets from available credits:
Provided further, That any such credits shall only be
available for United States assessed contributions to United
Nations peacekeeping missions, and the Committees on
Appropriations shall be notified when such credits are
applied to any assessed contribution, including any payment
of arrearages: Provided further, That any notification
regarding funds appropriated or otherwise made available
under this heading in this Act or prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs submitted pursuant to
section 7015 of this Act, section 34 of the State Department
Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2706), or any
operating plan submitted pursuant to section 7062 of this
Act, shall include an estimate of all known credits currently
attributable to the United States and provide updated
assessment costs, including offsets from available credits:
Provided further, That any payment of arrearages with funds
appropriated by this Act shall be subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That the Secretary of State shall work with
the United Nations and members of the United Nations Security
Council to evaluate and prioritize peacekeeping missions, and
to consider a draw down when mission goals have been
substantially achieved.
International Commissions
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to meet
obligations of the United States arising under treaties, or
specific Acts of Congress, as follows:
international boundary and water commission, united states and mexico
For necessary expenses for the United States Section of the
International Boundary and Water Commission, United States
and Mexico, and to comply with laws applicable to the United
States Section, including not to exceed $6,000 for
representation expenses, as follows:
salaries and expenses
For salaries and expenses, not otherwise provided for,
$70,000,000, of which $10,500,000 may remain available until
September 30, 2025.
construction
For detailed plan preparation and construction of
authorized projects, $76,530,000, to remain available until
expended, as authorized: Provided, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading in this Act and prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs for the United States
Section, up to $5,000,000 may be transferred to, and merged
with, funds appropriated under the heading ``Salaries and
Expenses'' to carry out the purposes of the United States
Section, which shall be subject to prior consultation with,
and the regular notification procedures of, the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That such transfer
authority is in addition to any other transfer authority
provided in this Act.
american sections, international commissions
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided, for the
International Joint Commission and the International Boundary
Commission, United States and Canada, as authorized by
treaties between the United States and Canada or Great
Britain, and for technical assistance grants and the
Community Assistance Program of the North American
Development Bank, $16,204,000: Provided, That of the amount
provided under this heading for the International Joint
Commission, up to $1,250,000 may remain available until
September 30, 2025, and up to $9,000 may be made available
for representation expenses: Provided further, That of the
amount provided under this heading for the International
Boundary Commission, up to $1,000 may be made available for
representation expenses.
[[Page H4727]]
international fisheries commissions
For necessary expenses for international fisheries
commissions, not otherwise provided for, as authorized by
law, $62,864,000: Provided, That the United States share of
such expenses may be advanced to the respective commissions
pursuant to section 3324 of title 31, United States Code.
RELATED AGENCY
United States Agency for Global Media
international broadcasting operations
For necessary expenses to enable the United States Agency
for Global Media (USAGM), as authorized, to carry out
international communication activities, and to make and
supervise grants for radio, Internet, and television
broadcasting to the Middle East, $798,196,000, of which
$39,910,000 may remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That in addition to amounts otherwise available
for such purposes, up to $64,208,000 of the amount
appropriated under this heading may remain available until
expended for satellite transmissions and Internet freedom
programs, of which not less than $43,500,000 shall be for
Internet freedom programs: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under this heading, not less than
$35,000,000 shall be made available for the Office of Cuba
Broadcasting (OCB) pursuant to the requirements included in
section 7045 of this Act: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under this heading and made available for
the Open Technology Fund, not less than $5,000,000 shall be
made available for grants for innovative methods to reach
audiences inside of Cuba: Provided further, That such funds
are in addition to amounts otherwise made available for such
purposes: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated
under this heading and made available for USAGM networks, not
less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for programming
produced about Cuba by OCB, which are in addition to funds
made available for OCB: Provided further, That of the total
amount appropriated under this heading, not to exceed $35,000
may be used for representation expenses, of which $10,000 may
be used for such expenses within the United States as
authorized, and not to exceed $30,000 may be used for
representation expenses of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
shall be made available in accordance with the principles and
standards set forth in section 303(a) and (b) of the United
States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C.
6202) and section 305(b) of such Act (22 U.S.C. 6204):
Provided further, That the USAGM Chief Executive Officer
shall notify the Committees on Appropriations within 15 days
of any determination by the USAGM that any of its broadcast
entities, including its grantee organizations, provides an
open platform for international terrorists or those who
support international terrorism, or is in violation of the
principles and standards set forth in section 303(a) and (b)
of such Act or the entity's journalistic code of ethics:
Provided further, That in addition to funds made available
under this heading, and notwithstanding any other provision
of law, up to $5,000,000 in receipts from advertising and
revenue from business ventures, up to $500,000 in receipts
from cooperating international organizations, and up to
$1,000,000 in receipts from privatization efforts of the
Voice of America and the International Broadcasting Bureau,
shall remain available until expended for carrying out
authorized purposes: Provided further, That significant
modifications to USAGM broadcast hours previously justified
to Congress, including changes to transmission platforms
(shortwave, medium wave, satellite, Internet, and
television), for all USAGM language services shall be subject
to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
broadcasting capital improvements
For the purchase, rent, construction, repair, preservation,
and improvement of facilities for radio, television, and
digital transmission and reception; the purchase, rent, and
installation of necessary equipment for radio, television,
and digital transmission and reception, including to Cuba, as
authorized; and physical security worldwide, in addition to
amounts otherwise available for such purposes, $9,700,000, to
remain available until expended, as authorized.
RELATED PROGRAMS
The Asia Foundation
For a grant to The Asia Foundation, as authorized by The
Asia Foundation Act (22 U.S.C. 4402), $19,580,000, to remain
available until expended.
United States Institute of Peace
For necessary expenses of the United States Institute of
Peace, as authorized by the United States Institute of Peace
Act (22 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.), $38,634,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025, which shall not be used
for construction activities.
Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund
For necessary expenses of the Center for Middle Eastern-
Western Dialogue Trust Fund, as authorized by section 633 of
the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the
Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 (22
U.S.C. 2078), the total amount of the interest and earnings
accruing to such Fund on or before September 30, 2024, to
remain available until expended.
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program
For necessary expenses of Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships,
Incorporated, as authorized by sections 4 and 5 of the
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990 (20 U.S.C. 5204-
5205), all interest and earnings accruing to the Eisenhower
Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund on or before September
30, 2024, to remain available until expended: Provided, That
none of the funds appropriated herein shall be used to pay
any salary or other compensation, or to enter into any
contract providing for the payment thereof, in excess of the
rate authorized by section 5376 of title 5, United States
Code; or for purposes which are not in accordance with
section 200 of title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
including the restrictions on compensation for personal
services.
Israeli Arab Scholarship Program
For necessary expenses of the Israeli Arab Scholarship
Program, as authorized by section 214 of the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (22
U.S.C. 2452 note), all interest and earnings accruing to the
Israeli Arab Scholarship Fund on or before September 30,
2024, to remain available until expended.
East-West Center
To enable the Secretary of State to provide for carrying
out the provisions of the Center for Cultural and Technical
Interchange Between East and West Act of 1960, by grant to
the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between
East and West in the State of Hawaii, $19,580,000.
National Endowment for Democracy
For grants made by the Department of State to the National
Endowment for Democracy, as authorized by the National
Endowment for Democracy Act (22 U.S.C. 4412), $315,000,000,
to remain available until expended, of which $215,000,000
shall be allocated in the traditional and customary manner,
including for the core institutes, and $100,000,000 shall be
for democracy programs: Provided, That the requirements of
section 7062(a) of this Act shall not apply to funds made
available under this heading.
OTHER COMMISSIONS
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for the Commission for the
Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, as authorized by
chapter 3123 of title 54, United States Code, $770,000, of
which $115,000 may remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That the Commission may procure temporary,
intermittent, and other services notwithstanding paragraph
(3) of section 312304(b) of such chapter: Provided further,
That such authority shall terminate on October 1, 2024:
Provided further, That the Commission shall notify the
Committees on Appropriations prior to exercising such
authority.
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses for the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom, as authorized by title II of
the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C.
6431 et seq.), $4,500,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, including not more than $4,000 for
representation expenses.
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe, as authorized by Public Law 94-304 (22
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), $2,908,000, including not more than
$6,000 for representation expenses, to remain available until
September 30, 2025.
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Congressional-Executive
Commission on the People's Republic of China, as authorized
by title III of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 (22
U.S.C. 6911 et seq.), $2,300,000, including not more than
$3,000 for representation expenses, to remain available until
September 30, 2025.
United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the United States-China Economic
and Security Review Commission, as authorized by section 1238
of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2001 (22 U.S.C. 7002), $4,000,000, including not
more than $4,000 for representation expenses, to remain
available until September 30, 2025: Provided, That the
authorities, requirements, limitations, and conditions
contained in the second through fifth provisos under this
heading in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2010 (division F of
Public Law 111-117) shall continue in effect during fiscal
year 2024 and shall apply to funds appropriated under this
heading.
TITLE II
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Funds Appropriated to the President
operating expenses
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$1,214,808,000 (reduced by
[[Page H4728]]
$26,199,000), of which up to $182,221,000 may remain
available until September 30, 2025: Provided, That none of
the funds appropriated under this heading and under the
heading ``Capital Investment Fund'' in this title may be made
available to finance the construction (including architect
and engineering services), purchase, or long-term lease of
offices for use by the United States Agency for International
Development, unless the USAID Administrator has identified
such proposed use of funds in a report submitted to the
Committees on Appropriations at least 15 days prior to the
obligation of funds for such purposes: Provided further,
That contracts or agreements entered into with funds
appropriated under this heading may entail commitments for
the expenditure of such funds through the following fiscal
year: Provided further, That the authority of sections 610
and 109 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may be
exercised by the Secretary of State to transfer funds
appropriated to carry out chapter 1 of part I of such Act to
``Operating Expenses'' in accordance with the provisions of
those sections: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated or made available under this heading, not to
exceed $250,000 may be available for representation and
entertainment expenses, of which not to exceed $5,000 may be
available for entertainment expenses, and not to exceed
$100,500 shall be for official residence expenses, for USAID
during the current fiscal year: Provided further, That of
the funds appropriated under this heading, up to $20,000,000
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds appropriated or
otherwise made available in title II of this Act under the
heading ``Capital Investment Fund'', subject to prior
consultation with, and the regular notification procedures
of, the Committees on Appropriations.
capital investment fund
For necessary expenses for overseas construction and
related costs, and for the procurement and enhancement of
information technology and related capital investments,
pursuant to section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, $230,599,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That this amount is in addition to funds otherwise
available for such purposes: Provided further, That funds
appropriated under this heading shall be available subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
office of inspector general
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$87,500,000, of which up to $13,125,000 may remain available
until September 30, 2025, for the Office of Inspector General
of the United States Agency for International Development.
TITLE III
BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
For necessary expenses to enable the President to carry out
the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and for
other purposes, as follows:
global health programs
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
chapters 1 and 10 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, for global health activities, in addition to funds
otherwise available for such purposes, $3,623,712,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2025, and which shall be
apportioned directly to the United States Agency for
International Development: Provided, That this amount shall
be made available for training, equipment, and technical
assistance to build the capacity of public health
institutions and organizations in developing countries, and
for such activities as: (1) child survival and maternal
health programs; (2) immunization and oral rehydration
programs; (3) other health, nutrition, water and sanitation
programs which directly address the needs of mothers and
children, and related education programs; (4) assistance for
children displaced or orphaned by causes other than AIDS; (5)
programs for the prevention, treatment, control of, and
research on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, polio, malaria, and other
infectious diseases including neglected tropical diseases,
and for assistance to communities severely affected by HIV/
AIDS, including children infected or affected by AIDS; (6)
disaster preparedness training for health crises; (7)
programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to
unanticipated and emerging global health threats; and (8)
family planning/reproductive health: Provided further, That
funds appropriated under this paragraph may be made available
for a United States contribution to The GAVI Alliance:
Provided further, That none of the funds made available in
this Act nor any unobligated balances from prior
appropriations Acts may be made available to any organization
or program which, as determined by the President of the
United States, supports or participates in the management of
a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization:
Provided further, That any determination made under the
previous proviso must be made not later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, and must be accompanied by
the evidence and criteria utilized to make the determination:
Provided further, That none of the funds made available
under this Act may be used to pay for the performance of
abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or
coerce any person to practice abortions: Provided further,
That nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to alter
any existing statutory prohibitions against abortion under
section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available under this Act
may be used to lobby for or against abortion: Provided
further, That in order to reduce reliance on abortion in
developing nations, funds shall be available only to
voluntary family planning projects which offer, either
directly or through referral to, or information about access
to, a broad range of family planning methods and services,
and that any such voluntary family planning project shall
meet the following requirements: (1) service providers or
referral agents in the project shall not implement or be
subject to quotas, or other numerical targets, of total
number of births, number of family planning acceptors, or
acceptors of a particular method of family planning (this
provision shall not be construed to include the use of
quantitative estimates or indicators for budgeting and
planning purposes); (2) the project shall not include payment
of incentives, bribes, gratuities, or financial reward to:
(A) an individual in exchange for becoming a family planning
acceptor; or (B) program personnel for achieving a numerical
target or quota of total number of births, number of family
planning acceptors, or acceptors of a particular method of
family planning; (3) the project shall not deny any right or
benefit, including the right of access to participate in any
program of general welfare or the right of access to health
care, as a consequence of any individual's decision not to
accept family planning services; (4) the project shall
provide family planning acceptors comprehensible information
on the health benefits and risks of the method chosen,
including those conditions that might render the use of the
method inadvisable and those adverse side effects known to be
consequent to the use of the method; and (5) the project
shall ensure that experimental contraceptive drugs and
devices and medical procedures are provided only in the
context of a scientific study in which participants are
advised of potential risks and benefits; and, not less than
60 days after the date on which the USAID Administrator
determines that there has been a violation of the
requirements contained in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (5) of
this proviso, or a pattern or practice of violations of the
requirements contained in paragraph (4) of this proviso, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations a report containing a description of such
violation and the corrective action taken by the Agency:
Provided further, That in awarding grants for natural family
planning under section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 no applicant shall be discriminated against because of
such applicant's religious or conscientious commitment to
offer only natural family planning; and, additionally, all
such applicants shall comply with the requirements of the
previous proviso: Provided further, That for purposes of
this or any other Act authorizing or appropriating funds for
the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, the term ``motivate'', as it relates to family
planning assistance, shall not be construed to prohibit the
provision, consistent with local law, of information or
counseling about all pregnancy options: Provided further,
That information provided about the use of condoms as part of
projects or activities that are funded from amounts
appropriated by this Act shall be medically accurate and
shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of
such use.
In addition, for necessary expenses to carry out the
provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the
prevention, treatment, and control of, and research on, HIV/
AIDS, $6,395,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2028, which shall be apportioned directly to the Department
of State: Provided, That funds appropriated under this
paragraph may be made available, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, except for the United States Leadership
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-25), for a United States contribution to the
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global
Fund): Provided further, That the amount of such
contribution shall be $2,000,000,000: Provided further, That
up to 5 percent of the aggregate amount of funds made
available to the Global Fund in fiscal year 2024 may be made
available to USAID for technical assistance related to the
activities of the Global Fund, subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
paragraph, up to $20,000,000 may be made available, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes,
for administrative expenses of the Office of the United
States Global AIDS Coordinator.
development assistance
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
sections 103, 105, 106, 214, and sections 251 through 255,
and chapter 10 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, $3,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2025: Provided, That funds made available under this heading
shall be apportioned to the United States Agency for
International Development.
international disaster assistance
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for
international disaster relief, rehabilitation, and
reconstruction assistance, $3,905,460,000, to remain
available
[[Page H4729]]
until expended: Provided, That funds made available under
this heading shall be apportioned to the United States Agency
for International Development not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
transition initiatives
For necessary expenses for international disaster
rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance administered by
the Office of Transition Initiatives, United States Agency
for International Development, pursuant to section 491 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and to support transition to
democracy and long-term development of countries in crisis,
$80,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That such support may include assistance to develop,
strengthen, or preserve democratic institutions and
processes, revitalize basic infrastructure, and foster the
peaceful resolution of conflict: Provided further, That
funds appropriated under this heading may not be made
available for programs for which the sole purpose is to
transport individuals: Provided further, That the USAID
Administrator shall submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations at least 5 days prior to beginning a new, or
terminating a, program of assistance: Provided further,
That if the Secretary of State determines that it is
important to the national interest of the United States to
provide transition assistance in excess of the amount
appropriated under this heading, up to $15,000,000 of the
funds appropriated by this Act to carry out the provisions of
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may be used for
purposes of this heading and under the authorities applicable
to funds appropriated under this heading: Provided further,
That funds made available pursuant to the previous proviso
shall be made available subject to prior consultation with
the Committees on Appropriations.
complex crises fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 509(b) of the Global Fragility Act of 2019 (title V
of division J of Public Law 116-94), $30,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That funds appropriated
under this heading may be made available notwithstanding any
other provision of law, except sections 7007, 7008, and 7018
of this Act and section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961: Provided further, That funds appropriated under this
heading shall be apportioned to the United States Agency for
International Development.
economic support fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$2,977,850,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025.
democracy fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for the promotion of democracy
globally, including to carry out the purposes of section
502(b)(3) and (5) of Public Law 98-164 (22 U.S.C. 4411),
$210,700,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
which shall be made available for the Human Rights and
Democracy Fund of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, Department of State: Provided, That funds
appropriated under this heading that are made available to
the National Endowment for Democracy and its core institutes
are in addition to amounts otherwise made available by this
Act for such purposes: Provided further, That the Assistant
Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Department
of State, shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations
prior to the initial obligation of funds appropriated under
this paragraph.
For an additional amount for such purposes, $145,000,000,
to remain available until September 30, 2025, which shall be
made available for the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and
Innovation, United States Agency for International
Development.
assistance for europe, eurasia and central asia
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the FREEDOM Support Act
(Public Law 102-511), and the Support for Eastern European
Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-179),
$770,334,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
which shall be available, notwithstanding any other provision
of law, except section 7047 of this Act, for assistance and
related programs for countries identified in section 3 of the
FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5801) and section 3(c) of the
SEED Act of 1989 (22 U.S.C. 5402), in addition to funds
otherwise available for such purposes: Provided, That funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``Global Health
Programs'', ``Economic Support Fund'', and ``International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'' that are made
available for assistance for such countries shall be
administered in accordance with the responsibilities of the
coordinator designated pursuant to section 102 of the FREEDOM
Support Act and section 601 of the SEED Act of 1989:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
shall be considered to be economic assistance under the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for purposes of making
available the administrative authorities contained in that
Act for the use of economic assistance: Provided further,
That funds appropriated under this heading may be made
available for contributions to multilateral initiatives to
counter hybrid threats.
Department of State
migration and refugee assistance
For necessary expenses not otherwise provided for, to
enable the Secretary of State to carry out the provisions of
section 2(a) and (b) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance
Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601), and other activities to meet
refugee and migration needs; salaries and expenses of
personnel and dependents as authorized by the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.); allowances as
authorized by sections 5921 through 5925 of title 5, United
States Code; purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles;
and services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United
States Code, $2,548,250,000, to remain available until
expended, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be made
available for refugees resettling in Israel.
Independent Agencies
peace corps
(including transfer of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), including the
purchase of not to exceed five passenger motor vehicles for
administrative purposes for use outside of the United States,
$410,500,000, of which $7,300,000 is for the Office of
Inspector General, to remain available until September 30,
2025: Provided, That the Director of the Peace Corps may
transfer to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account, as
authorized by section 16 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C.
2515), an amount not to exceed $5,000,000: Provided further,
That funds transferred pursuant to the previous proviso may
not be derived from amounts made available for Peace Corps
overseas operations: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, not to exceed $104,000 may
be available for representation expenses, of which not to
exceed $4,000 may be made available for entertainment
expenses: Provided further, That in addition to the
requirements under section 7015(a) of this Act, the Peace
Corps shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations
prior to any decision to open, close, or suspend a domestic
or overseas office or a country program unless there is a
substantial risk to volunteers or other Peace Corps
personnel: Provided further, That none of the funds
appropriated under this heading shall be used to pay for
abortions: Provided further, That notwithstanding the
previous proviso, section 614 of division E of Public Law
113-76 shall apply to funds appropriated under this heading.
millennium challenge corporation
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (22 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.)
(MCA), $905,000,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That of the funds appropriated under this heading,
up to $122,000,000 may be available for administrative
expenses of the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Provided
further, That section 605(e) of the MCA (22 U.S.C. 7704(e))
shall apply to funds appropriated under this heading:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
may be made available for a Millennium Challenge Compact
entered into pursuant to section 609 of the MCA (22 U.S.C.
7708) only if such Compact obligates, or contains a
commitment to obligate subject to the availability of funds
and the mutual agreement of the parties to the Compact to
proceed, the entire amount of the United States Government
funding anticipated for the duration of the Compact:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading, not to exceed $100,000 may be available for
representation and entertainment expenses, of which not to
exceed $5,000 may be available for entertainment expenses.
inter-american foundation
For necessary expenses to carry out the functions of the
Inter-American Foundation in accordance with the provisions
of section 401 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969,
$22,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That of the funds appropriated under this heading,
not to exceed $2,000 may be available for representation
expenses.
united states african development foundation
For necessary expenses to carry out the African Development
Foundation Act (title V of Public Law 96-533; 22 U.S.C. 290h
et seq.), $30,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2025, of which not to exceed $2,000 may be available for
representation expenses: Provided, That funds made available
to grantees may be invested pending expenditure for project
purposes when authorized by the Board of Directors of the
United States African Development Foundation (USADF):
Provided further, That interest earned shall be used only for
the purposes for which the grant was made: Provided further,
That notwithstanding section 505(a)(2) of the African
Development Foundation Act (22 U.S.C. 290h-3(a)(2)), in
exceptional circumstances the Board of Directors of the USADF
may waive the $250,000 limitation contained in that section
with respect to a project and a project may exceed the
limitation by up to 10 percent if the increase is due solely
to foreign currency fluctuation: Provided further, That the
USADF shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees after each time such waiver authority is
exercised: Provided further, That the USADF may make rent or
lease payments in advance from appropriations available for
such purpose for offices, buildings, grounds, and quarters in
Africa as may be necessary to carry out its functions:
Provided
[[Page H4730]]
further, That the USADF may maintain bank accounts outside
the United States Treasury and retain any interest earned on
such accounts, in furtherance of the purposes of the African
Development Foundation Act: Provided further, That the USADF
may not withdraw any appropriation from the Treasury prior to
the need of spending such funds for program purposes.
Department of the Treasury
international affairs technical assistance
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 129 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$30,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which not
more than $6,000,000 may be used for administrative expenses:
Provided, That amounts made available under this heading may
be made available to contract for services as described in
section 129(d)(3)(A) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
without regard to the location in which such services are
performed.
debt restructuring
For ``Bilateral Economic Assistance--Department of the
Treasury--Debt Restructuring'' there is appropriated
$46,280,000, to remain available until September 30, 2027,
for the costs, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of modifying loans and loan guarantees
for, or credits extended to, such countries as the President
may determine, including the costs of selling, reducing, or
canceling amounts owed to the United States pursuant to
multilateral debt restructurings, including Paris Club debt
restructurings and the ``Common Framework for Debt Treatments
beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative'': Provided,
That such amounts may be used notwithstanding any other
provision of law.
tropical forest and coral reef conservation
For the costs, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of modifying loans and loan
guarantees, as the President may determine, for which funds
have been appropriated or otherwise made available for
programs within the International Affairs Budget Function
150, including the costs of selling, reducing, or canceling
amounts owed to the United States as a result of concessional
loans made to eligible countries pursuant to part V of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $15,000,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2027.
TITLE IV
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Department of State
international narcotics control and law enforcement
For necessary expenses to carry out section 481 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $1,497,469,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2025: Provided, That the
Department of State may use the authority of section 608 of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, without regard to its
restrictions, to receive excess property from an agency of
the United States Government for the purpose of providing
such property to a foreign country or international
organization under chapter 8 of part I of such Act, subject
to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That section 482(b) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall not apply to funds
appropriated under this heading, except that any funds made
available notwithstanding such section shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That funds appropriated
under this heading shall be made available to support
training and technical assistance for foreign law
enforcement, corrections, judges, and other judicial
authorities, utilizing regional partners: Provided further,
That funds made available under this heading that are
transferred to another department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States Government pursuant to section 632(b) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 valued in excess of
$5,000,000, and any agreement made pursuant to section 632(a)
of such Act, shall be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That funds made available under this heading for
Program Development and Support may be made available
notwithstanding pre-obligation requirements contained in this
Act, except for the notification requirements of section
7015.
nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related programs
For necessary expenses for nonproliferation, anti-
terrorism, demining and related programs and activities,
$921,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
to carry out the provisions of chapter 8 of part II of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for anti-terrorism assistance,
chapter 9 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
section 504 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5854),
section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763),
or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for demining
activities, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, the
destruction of small arms, and related activities,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, including
activities implemented through nongovernmental and
international organizations, and section 301 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 for a United States contribution to
the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Preparatory
Commission, and for a voluntary contribution to the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Provided, That
funds made available under this heading for the
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund shall be made
available, notwithstanding any other provision of law and
subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations,
to promote bilateral and multilateral activities relating to
nonproliferation, disarmament, and weapons destruction, and
shall remain available until expended: Provided further,
That such funds may also be used for such countries other
than the Independent States of the former Soviet Union and
international organizations when it is in the national
security interest of the United States to do so: Provided
further, That funds appropriated under this heading may be
made available for the IAEA unless the Secretary of State
determines that Israel is being denied its right to
participate in the activities of that Agency: Provided
further, That funds made available for conventional weapons
destruction programs, including demining and related
activities, in addition to funds otherwise available for such
purposes, may be used for administrative expenses related to
the operation and management of such programs and activities,
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
peacekeeping operations
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 551 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$420,458,000, of which $301,133,000 may remain available
until September 30, 2025: Provided, That funds appropriated
under this heading may be used, notwithstanding section 660
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to provide assistance
to enhance the capacity of foreign civilian security forces,
including gendarmes, to participate in peacekeeping
operations: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated
under this heading, not less than $30,000,000 shall be made
available for a United States contribution to the
Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
may be made available to pay assessed expenses of
international peacekeeping activities in Somalia under the
same terms and conditions, as applicable, as funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Contributions
for International Peacekeeping Activities'': Provided
further, That funds appropriated under this heading shall be
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
Funds Appropriated to the President
international military education and training
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 541 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$125,425,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That the civilian personnel for whom military
education and training may be provided under this heading may
include civilians who are not members of a government whose
participation would contribute to improved civil-military
relations, civilian control of the military, or respect for
human rights: Provided further, That of the funds
appropriated under this heading, $3,500,000 shall remain
available until expended to increase the participation of
women in programs and activities funded under this heading,
following consultation with the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading, not to exceed $50,000 may be available for
entertainment expenses.
foreign military financing program
For necessary expenses for grants to enable the President
to carry out the provisions of section 23 of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763), $6,703,049,000: Provided, That
to expedite the provision of assistance to foreign countries
and international organizations, the Secretary of State,
following consultation with the Committees on Appropriations
and subject to the regular notification procedures of such
Committees, may use the funds appropriated under this heading
to procure defense articles and services to enhance the
capacity of foreign security forces: Provided further, That
funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this
heading shall be nonrepayable notwithstanding any requirement
in section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act: Provided
further, That funds made available under this heading shall
be obligated upon apportionment in accordance with paragraph
(5)(C) of section 1501(a) of title 31, United States Code.
None of the funds made available under this heading shall
be available to finance the procurement of defense articles,
defense services, or design and construction services that
are not sold by the United States Government under the Arms
Export Control Act unless the foreign country proposing to
make such procurement has first signed an agreement with the
United States Government specifying the conditions under
which such procurement may be financed with such funds:
Provided, That all country and funding level increases in
allocations shall be submitted through the regular
notification procedures of section 7015 of this Act:
Provided further, That funds made available under this
heading may be used, notwithstanding any other provision of
law, for demining, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, and
related activities, and may include activities implemented
through nongovernmental and international organizations:
Provided further,
[[Page H4731]]
That a country that is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) or is a major non-NATO ally designated by
section 517(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 may
utilize funds made available under this heading for
procurement of defense articles, defense services, or design
and construction services that are not sold by the United
States Government under the Arms Export Control Act:
Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading
shall be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make
timely payment for defense articles and services: Provided
further, That not more than $72,000,000 of the funds
appropriated under this heading may be obligated for
necessary expenses, including the purchase of passenger motor
vehicles for replacement only for use outside of the United
States, for the general costs of administering military
assistance and sales, except that this limitation may be
exceeded only through the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That of
the funds made available under this heading for general costs
of administering military assistance and sales, not to exceed
$4,000 may be available for entertainment expenses and not to
exceed $130,000 may be available for representation expenses:
Provided further, That not more than $1,541,392,546 of funds
realized pursuant to section 21(e)(1)(A) of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2761(e)(1)(A)) may be obligated for
expenses incurred by the Department of Defense during fiscal
year 2024 pursuant to section 43(b) of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2792(b)), except that this limitation
may be exceeded only through the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
TITLE V
MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE
International Financial Institutions
global environment facility
For payment to the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development as trustee for the Global Environment
Facility by the Secretary of the Treasury, $139,575,000, to
remain available until expended.
contribution to the international bank for reconstruction and
development
For payment to the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development by the Secretary of the Treasury for the
United States share of the paid-in portion of the increases
in capital stock, $206,500,000, to remain available until
expended.
limitation on callable capital subscriptions
The United States Governor of the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development may subscribe without fiscal
year limitation to the callable capital portion of the United
States share of increases in capital stock in an amount not
to exceed $1,421,275,728.70.
contribution to the international development association
For payment to the International Development Association by
the Secretary of the Treasury, $1,097,010,000, to remain
available until expended.
contribution to the asian development fund
For payment to the Asian Development Bank's Asian
Development Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury,
$43,610,000, to remain available until expended.
contribution to the african development bank
For payment to the African Development Bank by the
Secretary of the Treasury for the United States share of the
paid-in portion of the increases in capital stock,
$32,417,000, to remain available until expended.
limitation on callable capital subscriptions
The United States Governor of the African Development Bank
may subscribe without fiscal year limitation to the callable
capital portion of the United States share of increases in
capital stock in an amount not to exceed $856,174,624.
contribution to the international fund for agricultural development
For payment to the International Fund for Agricultural
Development by the Secretary of the Treasury, $30,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
TITLE VI
EXPORT AND INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
Export-Import Bank of the United States
inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General
in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $8,860,000, of which up to
$1,329,000 may remain available until September 30, 2025.
program account
The Export-Import Bank of the United States is authorized
to make such expenditures within the limits of funds and
borrowing authority available to such corporation, and in
accordance with law, and to make such contracts and
commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations, as
provided by section 9104 of title 31, United States Code, as
may be necessary in carrying out the program for the current
fiscal year for such corporation: Provided, That none of the
funds available during the current fiscal year may be used to
make expenditures, contracts, or commitments for the export
of nuclear equipment, fuel, or technology to any country,
other than a nuclear-weapon state as defined in Article IX of
the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
eligible to receive economic or military assistance under
this Act, that has detonated a nuclear explosive after the
date of enactment of this Act.
administrative expenses
For administrative expenses to carry out the direct and
guaranteed loan and insurance programs, including hire of
passenger motor vehicles and services as authorized by
section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, and not to
exceed $30,000 for official reception and representation
expenses for members of the Board of Directors, not to exceed
$125,000,000, of which up to $18,750,000 may remain available
until September 30, 2025: Provided, That the Export-Import
Bank (the Bank) may accept, and use, payment or services
provided by transaction participants for legal, financial, or
technical services in connection with any transaction for
which an application for a loan, guarantee or insurance
commitment has been made: Provided further, That
notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 117 of the Export
Enhancement Act of 1992, subsection (a) of such section shall
remain in effect until September 30, 2024: Provided further,
That the Bank shall charge fees for necessary expenses
(including special services performed on a contract or fee
basis, but not including other personal services) in
connection with the collection of moneys owed the Bank,
repossession or sale of pledged collateral or other assets
acquired by the Bank in satisfaction of moneys owed the Bank,
or the investigation or appraisal of any property, or the
evaluation of the legal, financial, or technical aspects of
any transaction for which an application for a loan,
guarantee or insurance commitment has been made, or systems
infrastructure directly supporting transactions: Provided
further, That in addition to other funds appropriated for
administrative expenses, such fees shall be credited to this
account for such purposes, to remain available until
expended.
program budget appropriations
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, insurance,
and tied-aid grants as authorized by section 10 of the
Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, as amended, not to exceed
$15,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2027:
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
such funds shall remain available until September 30, 2039,
for the disbursement of direct loans, loan guarantees,
insurance and tied-aid grants obligated in fiscal years 2024
through 2027.
receipts collected
Receipts collected pursuant to the Export-Import Bank Act
of 1945 (Public Law 79-173) and the Federal Credit Reform Act
of 1990, in an amount not to exceed the amount appropriated
herein, shall be credited as offsetting collections to this
account: Provided, That the sums herein appropriated from
the General Fund shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar
basis by such offsetting collections so as to result in a
final fiscal year appropriation from the General Fund
estimated at $0.
United States International Development Finance Corporation
inspector general
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General
in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $7,200,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2025.
corporate capital account
The United States International Development Finance
Corporation (the Corporation) is authorized to make such
expenditures and commitments within the limits of funds and
borrowing authority available to the Corporation, and in
accordance with the law, and to make such expenditures and
commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations, as
provided by section 9104 of title 31, United States Code, as
may be necessary in carrying out the programs for the current
fiscal year for the Corporation: Provided, That for
necessary expenses of the activities described in subsections
(b), (c), (e), (f), and (g) of section 1421 of the BUILD Act
of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254) and for
administrative expenses to carry out authorized activities
and project-specific transaction costs described in section
1434(d) of such Act, $769,029,000: Provided further, That of
the amount provided--
(1) $198,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2026, for administrative expenses to carry out authorized
activities (including an amount for official reception and
representation expenses which shall not exceed $25,000) and
project-specific transaction costs as described in section
1434(k) of such Act; and
(2) $571,029,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2026, for the activities described in subsections (b), (c),
(e), (f), and (g) of section 1421 of the BUILD Act of 2018,
except such amounts obligated in a fiscal year for activities
described in section 1421(c) of such Act shall remain
available for disbursement for the term of the underlying
project: Provided further, That amounts made available under
this paragraph may be paid to the ``United States
International Development Finance Corporation--Program
Account'' for
[[Page H4732]]
programs authorized by subsections (b), (e), (f), and (g) of
section 1421 of the BUILD Act of 2018:
Provided further, That funds may only be obligated pursuant
to section 1421(g) of the BUILD Act of 2018 subject to prior
consultation with the appropriate congressional committees
and the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That funds appropriated by
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
for support by the Corporation in upper-middle income
countries shall be subject to prior consultation with the
Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That in
fiscal year 2024 collections of amounts described in section
1434(h) of the BUILD Act of 2018 shall be credited as
offsetting collections to this appropriation: Provided
further, That such collections collected in fiscal year 2024
in excess of $769,029,000 shall be credited to this account
and shall be available in future fiscal years only to the
extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts: Provided
further, That in fiscal year 2024, if such collections are
less than $769,029,000, receipts collected pursuant to the
BUILD Act of 2018 and the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990,
in an amount equal to such shortfall, shall be credited as
offsetting collections to this appropriation: Provided
further, That funds appropriated or otherwise made available
under this heading may not be used to provide any type of
assistance that is otherwise prohibited by any other
provision of law or to provide assistance to any foreign
country that is otherwise prohibited by any other provision
of law: Provided further, That the sums herein appropriated
from the General Fund shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar
basis by the offsetting collections described under this
heading so as to result in a final fiscal year appropriation
from the General Fund estimated at $558,000,000.
program account
Amounts paid from ``United States International Development
Finance Corporation--Corporate Capital Account'' (CCA) shall
remain available until September 30, 2026: Provided, That
amounts paid to this account from CCA or transferred to this
account pursuant to section 1434(j) of the BUILD Act of 2018
(division F of Public Law 115-254) shall be available for the
costs of direct and guaranteed loans provided by the
Corporation pursuant to section 1421(b) of such Act and the
costs of modifying loans and loan guarantees transferred to
the Corporation pursuant to section 1463 of such Act:
Provided further, That such costs, including the cost of
modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
such amounts obligated in a fiscal year shall remain
available for disbursement for the following 8 fiscal years:
Provided further, That funds made available in this Act and
transferred to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
pursuant to section 1434(j) of the BUILD Act of 2018 may
remain available for obligation for 1 additional fiscal year:
Provided further, That the total loan principal or
guaranteed principal amount shall not exceed $10,000,000,000.
Trade and Development Agency
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
$87,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, of
which no more than $21,000,000 may be used for administrative
expenses: Provided, That of the funds appropriated under
this heading, not more than $5,000 may be available for
representation and entertainment expenses.
TITLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
allowances and differentials
Sec. 7001. Funds appropriated under title I of this Act
shall be available, except as otherwise provided, for
allowances and differentials as authorized by subchapter 59
of title 5, United States Code; for services as authorized by
section 3109 of such title and for hire of passenger
transportation pursuant to section 1343(b) of title 31,
United States Code.
unobligated balances report
Sec. 7002. Any department or agency of the United States
Government to which funds are appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall provide to the Committees on
Appropriations a quarterly accounting of cumulative
unobligated balances and obligated, but unexpended, balances
by program, project, and activity, and Treasury Account Fund
Symbol of all funds received by such department or agency in
fiscal year 2024 or any previous fiscal year, disaggregated
by fiscal year: Provided, That the report required by this
section shall be submitted not later than 30 days after the
end of each fiscal quarter and should specify by account the
amount of funds obligated pursuant to bilateral agreements
which have not been further sub-obligated.
consulting services
Sec. 7003. The expenditure of any appropriation under
title I of this Act for any consulting service through
procurement contract, pursuant to section 3109 of title 5,
United States Code, shall be limited to those contracts where
such expenditures are a matter of public record and available
for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under
existing law, or under existing Executive order issued
pursuant to existing law.
diplomatic facilities
Sec. 7004. (a) Capital Security Cost Sharing Exception.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of section 604(e) of the Secure
Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (title
VI of division A of H.R. 3427, as enacted into law by section
1000(a)(7) of Public Law 106-113 and contained in appendix G
of that Act), as amended by section 111 of the Department of
State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-323),
a project to construct a facility of the United States may
include office space or other accommodations for members of
the United States Marine Corps.
(b) Consultation and Notification.--Funds appropriated by
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, which may be made available for the acquisition of
property or award of construction contracts for overseas
United States diplomatic facilities during fiscal year 2024,
shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided, That notifications pursuant to this subsection
shall include the information enumerated under the heading
``Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance'' in the
report accompanying this Act.
(c) Interim and Temporary Facilities Abroad.--
(1) Security vulnerabilities.--Funds appropriated by this
Act under the heading ``Embassy Security, Construction, and
Maintenance'' may be made available, following consultation
with the appropriate congressional committees, to address
security vulnerabilities at interim and temporary United
States diplomatic facilities abroad, including physical
security upgrades and local guard staffing.
(2) Consultation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the opening, closure, or any significant modification to
an interim or temporary United States diplomatic facility
shall be subject to prior consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees and the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, except that
such consultation and notification may be waived if there is
a security risk to personnel.
(d) Soft Targets.--Funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance''
may be made available for security upgrades to soft targets,
including schools, recreational facilities, and residences
used by United States diplomatic personnel and their
dependents.
(e) Limitation on Art in Embassies.--Section 5112 of the
Department of State Authorization Act of 2021 (title LI of
division E of Public Law 117-81) shall continue in effect
during fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding subsection (c) of
such section.
personnel actions
Sec. 7005. Any costs incurred by a department or agency
funded under title I of this Act resulting from personnel
actions taken in response to funding reductions included in
this Act shall be absorbed within the total budgetary
resources available under title I to such department or
agency: Provided, That the authority to transfer funds
between appropriations accounts as may be necessary to carry
out this section is provided in addition to authorities
included elsewhere in this Act: Provided further, That use
of funds to carry out this section shall be treated as a
reprogramming of funds under section 7015 of this Act.
prohibition on publicity or propaganda
Sec. 7006. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes within
the United States not authorized before enactment of this Act
by Congress: Provided, That up to $25,000 may be made
available to carry out the provisions of section 316 of the
International Security and Development Cooperation Act of
1980 (Public Law 96-533; 22 U.S.C. 2151a note).
prohibition against direct funding for certain countries
Sec. 7007. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available pursuant to titles III through VI of this Act
shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any
assistance or reparations for the governments of Cuba, North
Korea, Iran, or Syria: Provided, That for purposes of this
section, the prohibition on obligations or expenditures shall
include direct loans, credits, insurance, and guarantees of
the Export-Import Bank or its agents.
coups d'etat
Sec. 7008. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available pursuant to titles III through VI of this Act
shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any
assistance to the government of any country whose duly
elected head of government is deposed by military coup d'etat
or decree or, after the date of enactment of this Act, a coup
d'etat or decree in which the military plays a decisive role:
Provided, That assistance may be resumed to such government
if the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that subsequent to the
termination of assistance a democratically elected government
has taken office: Provided further, That the provisions of
this section shall not apply to assistance to promote
democratic elections or public participation in democratic
processes, or to support a democratic transition:
[[Page H4733]]
Provided further, That funds made available pursuant to the
previous provisos shall be subject to prior consultation
with, and the regular notification procedures of, the
Committees on Appropriations.
transfer of funds authority
Sec. 7009. (a) Department of State and United States Agency
for Global Media.--
(1) Department of state.--
(A) In general.--Not to exceed 5 percent of any
appropriation made available for the current fiscal year for
the Department of State under title I of this Act may be
transferred between, and merged with, such appropriations,
but no such appropriation, except as otherwise specifically
provided, shall be increased by more than 10 percent by any
such transfers, and no such transfer may be made to increase
the appropriation under the heading ``Representation
Expenses''.
(B) Embassy security.--Funds appropriated under the
headings ``Diplomatic Programs'', including for Worldwide
Security Protection, ``Embassy Security, Construction, and
Maintenance'', and ``Emergencies in the Diplomatic and
Consular Service'' in this Act may be transferred to, and
merged with, funds appropriated under such headings if the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees
on Appropriations that to do so is necessary to implement the
recommendations of the Benghazi Accountability Review Board,
for emergency evacuations, or to prevent or respond to
security situations and requirements, following consultation
with, and subject to the regular notification procedures of,
such Committees.
(C) Emergencies in the diplomatic and consular service.--Of
the amount made available under the heading ``Diplomatic
Programs'' for Worldwide Security Protection, not to exceed
$50,000,000 may be transferred to, and merged with, funds
made available by this Act under the heading ``Emergencies in
the Diplomatic and Consular Service'', to be available only
for emergency evacuations and rewards, as authorized.
(D) Capital investment fund.--Of the amount made available
under the heading, ``Diplomatic Programs'', up to $43,000,000
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds made available
in title I of this Act under the heading ``Capital Investment
Fund''.
(E) Prior consultation.--The transfer authorities provided
by subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) are in addition to any
transfer authority otherwise available in this Act and under
any other provision of law and the exercise of such authority
shall be subject to prior consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
(2) United states agency for global media.--Not to exceed 5
percent of any appropriation made available for the current
fiscal year for the United States Agency for Global Media
under title I of this Act may be transferred between, and
merged with, such appropriations, but no such appropriation,
except as otherwise specifically provided, shall be increased
by more than 10 percent by any such transfers.
(3) Treatment as reprogramming.--Any transfer pursuant to
this subsection shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds
under section 7015 of this Act and shall not be available for
obligation or expenditure except in compliance with the
procedures set forth in that section.
(b) Limitation on Transfers of Funds Between Agencies.--
(1) In general.--None of the funds made available under
titles II through V of this Act may be transferred to any
department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States
Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or
transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other
appropriations Act.
(2) Allocation and transfers.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(1), in addition to transfers made by, or authorized
elsewhere in, this Act, funds appropriated by this Act to
carry out the purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
may be allocated or transferred to agencies of the United
States Government pursuant to the provisions of sections 109,
610, and 632 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and
section 1434(j) of the BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of
Public Law 115-254).
(3) Notification.--Any agreement entered into by the United
States Agency for International Development or the Department
of State with any department, agency, or instrumentality of
the United States Government pursuant to section 632(b) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 valued in excess of
$1,000,000 and any agreement made pursuant to section 632(a)
of such Act, with funds appropriated by this Act or prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the headings
``Global Health Programs'', ``Development Assistance'',
``Economic Support Fund'', and ``Assistance for Europe,
Eurasia and Central Asia'' shall be subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided, That the requirement in the previous sentence shall
not apply to agreements entered into between USAID and the
Department of State.
(c) United States International Development Finance
Corporation.--
(1) Transfers.--Amounts transferred pursuant to section
1434(j) of the BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law
115-254) may only be transferred from funds made available
under title III of this Act: Provided, That any such
transfers, and any amounts transferred to the United States
International Development Finance Corporation (the
Corporation) pursuant to section 632 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, shall be subject to prior
consultation with, and the regular notification procedures
of, the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That
the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation, as appropriate, shall
ensure that the programs funded by such transfers are
coordinated with, and complement, foreign assistance programs
implemented by the Department of State and USAID.
(2) Transfer of funds from millennium challenge
corporation.--Funds appropriated under the heading
``Millennium Challenge Corporation'' in this Act or prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs may be transferred
to accounts under the heading ``United States International
Development Finance Corporation'' and, when so transferred,
may be used for the costs of activities described in
subsections (b) and (c) of section 1421 of the BUILD Act of
2018: Provided, That such funds shall be subject to the
limitations provided in the second, third, and fifth provisos
under the heading ``United States International Development
Finance Corporation--Program Account'' in this Act: Provided
further, That any transfer executed pursuant to the transfer
authority provided in this paragraph shall not exceed 10
percent of an individual Compact awarded pursuant to section
609(a) of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (title VI of
Public Law 108-199): Provided further, That such funds shall
not be available for administrative expenses of the United
States International Development Finance Corporation:
Provided further, That such authority shall be subject to
prior consultation with, and the regular notification
procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That the transfer authority provided in this section
is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by
law: Provided further, That within 60 days of the
termination in whole or in part of the Compact from which
funds were transferred under this authority to the United
States International Development Finance Corporation, any
unobligated balances shall be transferred back to the
Millennium Challenge Corporation, subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(d) Transfer of Funds Between Accounts.--None of the funds
made available under titles II through V of this Act may be
obligated under an appropriations account to which such funds
were not appropriated, except for transfers specifically
provided for in this Act, unless the President, not less than
5 days prior to the exercise of any authority contained in
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to transfer funds,
consults with and provides a written policy justification to
the Committees on Appropriations.
(e) Audit of Inter-Agency Transfers of Funds.--Any
agreement for the transfer or allocation of funds
appropriated by this Act or prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs entered into between the Department of State or
USAID and another agency of the United States Government
under the authority of section 632(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, or any comparable provision of law,
shall expressly provide that the Inspector General (IG) for
the agency receiving the transfer or allocation of such
funds, or other entity with audit responsibility if the
receiving agency does not have an IG, shall perform periodic
program and financial audits of the use of such funds and
report to the Department of State or USAID, as appropriate,
upon completion of such audits: Provided, That such audits
shall be transmitted to the Committees on Appropriations by
the Department of State or USAID, as appropriate: Provided
further, That funds transferred under such authority may be
made available for the cost of such audits.
prohibition and limitation on certain expenses
Sec. 7010. (a) First-Class Travel.--None of the funds made
available by this Act may be used for first-class travel by
employees of United States Government departments and
agencies funded by this Act in contravention of section 301-
10.122 through 301-10.124 of title 41, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(b) Computer Networks.--None of the funds made available by
this Act for the operating expenses of any United States
Government department or agency may be used to establish or
maintain a computer network for use by such department or
agency unless such network has filters designed to block
access to sexually explicit websites: Provided, That nothing
in this subsection shall limit the use of funds necessary for
any Federal, State, Tribal, or local law enforcement agency,
or any other entity carrying out the following activities:
criminal investigations, prosecutions, and adjudications;
administrative discipline; and the monitoring of such
websites undertaken as part of official business.
(c) Prohibition on Promotion of Tobacco.--None of the funds
made available by this Act should be available to promote the
sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products (including
electronic nicotine delivery systems), or to seek the
reduction or removal
[[Page H4734]]
by any foreign country of restrictions on the marketing of
tobacco or tobacco products (including electronic nicotine
delivery systems), except for restrictions which are not
applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products (including
electronic nicotine delivery systems) of the same type.
(d) Email Servers Outside the .gov Domain.--None of the
funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``Diplomatic Programs'' and ``Capital Investment Fund'' in
title I, and ``Operating Expenses'' and ``Capital Investment
Fund'' in title II that are made available to the Department
of State and the United States Agency for International
Development may be made available to support the use or
establishment of email accounts or email servers created
outside the .gov domain or not fitted for automated records
management as part of a Federal government records management
program in contravention of the Presidential and Federal
Records Act Amendments of 2014 (Public Law 113-187).
(e) Representation and Entertainment Expenses.--Each
Federal department, agency, or entity funded in titles I or
II of this Act, and the Department of the Treasury and
independent agencies funded in titles III or VI of this Act,
shall take steps to ensure that domestic and overseas
representation and entertainment expenses further official
agency business and United States foreign policy interests,
and--
(1) are primarily for fostering relations outside of the
Executive Branch;
(2) are principally for meals and events of a protocol
nature;
(3) are not for employee-only events; and
(4) do not include activities that are substantially of a
recreational character.
(f) Limitations on Entertainment Expenses.--None of the
funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act
under the headings ``International Military Education and
Training'' or ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' for
Informational Program activities or under the headings
``Global Health Programs'', ``Development Assistance'',
``Economic Support Fund'', and ``Assistance for Europe,
Eurasia and Central Asia'' may be obligated or expended to
pay for--
(1) alcoholic beverages; or
(2) entertainment expenses for activities that are
substantially of a recreational character, including entrance
fees at sporting events, theatrical and musical productions,
and amusement parks.
availability of funds
Sec. 7011. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation after the
expiration of the current fiscal year unless expressly so
provided by this Act: Provided, That funds appropriated for
the purposes of chapters 1 and 8 of part I, section 661,
chapters 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 of part II of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, section 23 of the Arms Export Control
Act (22 U.S.C. 2763), and funds made available for ``United
States International Development Finance Corporation'' and
under the heading ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and
Central Asia'' shall remain available for an additional 4
years from the date on which the availability of such funds
would otherwise have expired, if such funds are initially
obligated before the expiration of their respective periods
of availability contained in this Act: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any
funds made available for the purposes of chapter 1 of part I
and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 which are allocated or obligated for cash disbursements
in order to address balance of payments or economic policy
reform objectives, shall remain available for an additional 4
years from the date on which the availability of such funds
would otherwise have expired, if such funds are initially
allocated or obligated before the expiration of their
respective periods of availability contained in this Act:
Provided further, That the Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development shall provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations not later than October 31, 2024, detailing by
account and source year, the use of this authority during the
previous fiscal year: Provided further, That any funds
obligated for an additional period of availability pursuant
to this section in this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs shall be subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That any notification
submitted pursuant to the previous proviso shall indicate the
source year of funds, the purpose of initial obligation, the
reason for de-obligation, and the purpose for re-obligation.
limitation on assistance to countries in default
Sec. 7012. No part of any appropriation provided under
titles III through VI in this Act shall be used to furnish
assistance to the government of any country which is in
default during a period in excess of 1 calendar year in
payment to the United States of principal or interest on any
loan made to the government of such country by the United
States pursuant to a program for which funds are appropriated
under this Act unless the President determines, following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations, that
assistance for such country is in the national interest of
the United States.
prohibition on taxation of united states assistance
Sec. 7013. (a) Prohibition on Taxation.--None of the funds
appropriated under titles III through VI of this Act may be
made available to provide assistance for a foreign country
under a new bilateral agreement governing the terms and
conditions under which such assistance is to be provided
unless such agreement includes a provision stating that
assistance provided by the United States shall be exempt from
taxation, or reimbursed, by the foreign government, and the
Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development shall expeditiously seek
to negotiate amendments to existing bilateral agreements, as
necessary, to conform with this requirement.
(b) Notification and Reimbursement of Foreign Taxes.--An
amount equivalent to 200 percent of the total taxes assessed
during fiscal year 2024 on funds appropriated by this Act and
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs by a foreign
government or entity against United States assistance
programs, either directly or through grantees, contractors,
and subcontractors, shall be withheld from obligation from
funds appropriated for assistance for fiscal year 2025 and
for prior fiscal years and allocated for the central
government of such country or for the West Bank and Gaza
program, as applicable, if, not later than September 30,
2025, such taxes have not been reimbursed.
(c) De Minimis Exception.--Foreign taxes of a de minimis
nature shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection
(b).
(d) Reprogramming of Funds.--Funds withheld from obligation
for each foreign government or entity pursuant to subsection
(b) shall be reprogrammed for assistance for countries which
do not assess taxes on United States assistance or which have
an effective arrangement that is providing substantial
reimbursement of such taxes, and that can reasonably
accommodate such assistance in a programmatically responsible
manner.
(e) Determinations.--
(1) In general.--The provisions of this section shall not
apply to any foreign government or entity that assesses such
taxes if the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that--
(A) such foreign government or entity has an effective
arrangement that is providing substantial reimbursement of
such taxes; or
(B) the foreign policy interests of the United States
outweigh the purpose of this section to ensure that United
States assistance is not subject to taxation.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall consult
with the Committees on Appropriations at least 15 days prior
to exercising the authority of this subsection with regard to
any foreign government or entity.
(f) Implementation.--The Secretary of State shall issue and
update rules, regulations, or policy guidance, as
appropriate, to implement the prohibition against the
taxation of assistance contained in this section.
(g) Definitions.--As used in this section:
(1) Bilateral agreement.--The term ``bilateral agreement''
refers to a framework bilateral agreement between the
Government of the United States and the government of the
country receiving assistance that describes the privileges
and immunities applicable to United States foreign assistance
for such country generally, or an individual agreement
between the Government of the United States and such
government that describes, among other things, the treatment
for tax purposes that will be accorded the United States
assistance provided under that agreement.
(2) Taxes and taxation.--The term ``taxes and taxation''
shall include value added taxes and customs duties but shall
not include individual income taxes assessed to local staff.
reservations of funds
Sec. 7014. (a) Extension of Availability.--The original
period of availability of funds appropriated by this Act and
administered by the Department of State or the United States
Agency for International Development that are specifically
designated for particular programs or activities by this or
any other Act may be extended for an additional fiscal year
if the Secretary of State or the USAID Administrator, as
appropriate, determines and reports promptly to the
Committees on Appropriations that the termination of
assistance to a country or a significant change in
circumstances makes it unlikely that such designated funds
can be obligated during the original period of availability:
Provided, That such designated funds that continue to be
available for an additional fiscal year shall be obligated
only for the purpose of such designation.
(b) Other Acts.--Ceilings and specifically designated
funding levels contained in this Act shall not be applicable
to funds or authorities appropriated or otherwise made
available by any subsequent Act unless such Act specifically
so directs: Provided, That specifically designated funding
levels or minimum funding requirements contained in any other
Act shall not be applicable to funds appropriated by this
Act.
notification requirements
Sec. 7015. (a) Notification of Changes in Programs,
Projects, and Activities.--None of the funds made available
in titles I, II, and VI, and under the headings ``Peace
Corps'' and ``Millennium Challenge Corporation'', of
[[Page H4735]]
this Act or prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
to the departments and agencies funded by this Act that
remain available for obligation in fiscal year 2024, or
provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United
States derived by the collection of fees or of currency
reflows or other offsetting collections, or made available by
transfer, to the departments and agencies funded by this Act,
shall be available for obligation to--
(1) create new programs;
(2) suspend or eliminate a program, project, or activity;
(3) close, suspend, open, or reopen a mission or post;
(4) create, close, reorganize, downsize, or rename bureaus,
centers, or offices; or
(5) contract out or privatize any functions or activities
presently performed by Federal employees;
unless previously justified to the Committees on
Appropriations or such Committees are notified 15 days in
advance of such obligation.
(b) Notification of Reprogramming of Funds.--None of the
funds provided under titles I, II, and VI of this Act or
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs, to the departments
and agencies funded under such titles that remain available
for obligation in fiscal year 2024, or provided from any
accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the
collection of fees available to the department and agency
funded under title I of this Act, shall be available for
obligation or expenditure for programs, projects, or
activities through a reprogramming of funds in excess of
$1,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that--
(1) augments or changes existing programs, projects, or
activities;
(2) relocates an existing office or employees;
(3) reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program,
project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent
as approved by Congress; or
(4) results from any general savings, including savings
from a reduction in personnel, which would result in a change
in existing programs, projects, or activities as approved by
Congress;
unless the Committees on Appropriations are notified 15 days
in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(c) Notification Requirement.--None of the funds made
available by this Act under the headings ``Global Health
Programs'', ``Development Assistance'', ``Economic Support
Fund'', ``Democracy Fund'', ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia
and Central Asia'', ``Peace Corps'', ``Millennium Challenge
Corporation'', ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining
and Related Programs'', ``Peacekeeping Operations'',
``International Military Education and Training'', ``Foreign
Military Financing Program'', ``United States International
Development Finance Corporation'', and ``Trade and
Development Agency'' shall be available for obligation for
programs, projects, activities, type of materiel assistance,
countries, or other operations not justified or in excess of
the amount justified to the Committees on Appropriations for
obligation under any of these specific headings unless the
Committees on Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance
of such obligation: Provided, That the President shall not
enter into any commitment of funds appropriated for the
purposes of section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act for the
provision of major defense equipment, other than conventional
ammunition, or other major defense items defined to be
aircraft, ships, missiles, or combat vehicles, not previously
justified to Congress or 20 percent in excess of the
quantities justified to Congress unless the Committees on
Appropriations are notified 15 days in advance of such
commitment: Provided further, That requirements of this
subsection or any similar provision of this or any other Act
shall not apply to any reprogramming for a program, project,
or activity for which funds are appropriated under titles III
through VI of this Act of less than 10 percent of the amount
previously justified to Congress for obligation for such
program, project, or activity for the current fiscal year:
Provided further, That any notification submitted pursuant to
subsection (f) of this section shall include information (if
known on the date of transmittal of such notification) on the
use of notwithstanding authority.
(d) Department of Defense Programs and Funding
Notifications.--
(1) Programs.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
or prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs may be made
available to support or continue any program initially funded
under any authority of title 10, United States Code, or any
Act making or authorizing appropriations for the Department
of Defense, unless the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and in accordance with the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations, submits a justification to such Committees
that includes a description of, and the estimated costs
associated with, the support or continuation of such program.
(2) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
funds transferred by the Department of Defense to the
Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development for assistance for foreign
countries and international organizations shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(3) Notification on excess defense articles.--Prior to
providing excess Department of Defense articles in accordance
with section 516(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
the Department of Defense shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations to the same extent and under the same
conditions as other committees pursuant to subsection (f) of
that section: Provided, That before issuing a letter of
offer to sell excess defense articles under the Arms Export
Control Act, the Department of Defense shall notify the
Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the regular
notification procedures of such Committees if such defense
articles are significant military equipment (as defined in
section 47(9) of the Arms Export Control Act) or are valued
(in terms of original acquisition cost) at $7,000,000 or
more, or if notification is required elsewhere in this Act
for the use of appropriated funds for specific countries that
would receive such excess defense articles: Provided
further, That such Committees shall also be informed of the
original acquisition cost of such defense articles.
(e) Waiver.--The requirements of this section or any
similar provision of this Act or any other Act, including any
prior Act requiring notification in accordance with the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations, may be waived if failure to do so would pose
a substantial risk to human health or welfare: Provided,
That in case of any such waiver, notification to the
Committees on Appropriations shall be provided as early as
practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after taking
the action to which such notification requirement was
applicable, in the context of the circumstances necessitating
such waiver: Provided further, That any notification
provided pursuant to such a waiver shall contain an
explanation of the emergency circumstances.
(f) Country Notification Requirements.--None of the funds
appropriated under titles III through VI of this Act may be
obligated or expended for assistance for Afghanistan, Burma,
Central African Republic, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, El
Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon,
Libya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, the Russian Federation,
Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine,
Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe except as provided through the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(g) Trust Funds.--Funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in title III of this Act and prior Acts making
funds available for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs that are made available for
a trust fund held by an international financial institution
shall be subject to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations, and such notification shall
include the information specified under this section in the
report accompanying this Act.
(h) Other Program Notification Requirements.--
(1) Other programs.--Funds appropriated by this Act and
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs that are made
available for the following programs and activities shall be
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations--
(A) the Global Engagement Center;
(B) the Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives;
(C) funds under the headings ``International Disaster
Assistance'' and ``Migration and Refugee Assistance'' that
are made available to a country listed in section 7007 of
this Act;
(D) the Prevention and Stabilization Fund and the Multi-
Donor Global Fragility Fund;
(E) the Indo-Pacific Strategy;
(F) the Countering PRC Influence Fund and the Countering
Russian Influence Fund;
(G) assistance made available pursuant to section 7059; and
(H) funds specifically allocated for the Partnership for
Global Infrastructure and Investment.
(2) Democracy program policy and procedures.--Modifications
to democracy program policy and procedures, including
relating to the use of consortia, by the Department of State
and USAID shall be subject to prior consultation with, and
the regular notification procedures of, the Committees on
Appropriations.
(3) Arms sales.--The reports, notifications, and
certifications, and any other documents, required to be
submitted pursuant to section 36(a) of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776), and such documents submitted
pursuant to section 36(b) through (d) of such Act with
respect to countries that have received assistance provided
with funds appropriated by this Act or prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, shall be concurrently
submitted to the Committees on Appropriations and shall
include information about the source of funds for any sale or
transfer, as applicable, if known at the time of submission.
(i) Withholding of Funds.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under titles III and IV that are withheld from obligation or
otherwise not programmed as a result of application of a
provision of law in this or any other Act shall, if
reprogrammed, be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
[[Page H4736]]
(j) Requirement to Inform.--The Secretary of State and
Administrator of USAID, as applicable, shall promptly inform
the appropriate congressional committees of each instance in
which funds appropriated by this Act for assistance have been
diverted or destroyed, to include the type and amount of
assistance, a description of the incident and parties
involved, and an explanation of the response of the
Department of State or USAID, as appropriate.
documents, report posting, records management, and related
cybersecurity protections
Sec. 7016. (a) Document Requests.--None of the funds
appropriated or made available pursuant to titles III through
VI of this Act shall be available to a nongovernmental
organization, including any contractor, which fails to
provide upon timely request any document, file, or record
necessary to the auditing requirements of the Department of
State and the United States Agency for International
Development.
(b) Public Posting of Reports.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), any
report required by this Act to be submitted to Congress by
any Federal agency receiving funds made available by this Act
shall be posted on the public website of such agency not
later than 45 days following the receipt of such report by
Congress.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a report if--
(A) the head of such agency determines and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that--
(i) the public posting of the report would compromise
national security, including the conduct of diplomacy; or
(ii) the report contains proprietary or other privileged
information; or
(B) the public posting of the report is specifically
exempted in the report accompanying this Act.
(3) The agency posting such report shall do so only after
the report has been made available to the Committees on
Appropriations.
(4) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so
in a central location on the public website of such agency.
(c) Records Management and Related Cybersecurity
Protections.--The Secretary of State and USAID Administrator
shall--
(1) regularly review and update the policies, directives,
and oversight necessary to comply with Federal statutes,
regulations, and presidential executive orders and memoranda
concerning the preservation of all records made or received
in the conduct of official business, including record emails,
instant messaging, and other online tools;
(2) use funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``Diplomatic Programs'' and ``Capital Investment Fund'' in
title I, and ``Operating Expenses'' and ``Capital Investment
Fund'' in title II, as appropriate, to improve Federal
records management pursuant to the Federal Records Act (44
U.S.C. Chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33) and other applicable
Federal records management statutes, regulations, or policies
for the Department of State and USAID;
(3) direct departing employees, including senior officials,
that all Federal records generated by such employees belong
to the Federal Government;
(4) substantially reduce, compared to the previous fiscal
year, the response time for identifying and retrieving
Federal records, including requests made pursuant to section
552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the
``Freedom of Information Act''); and
(5) strengthen cybersecurity measures to mitigate
vulnerabilities, including those resulting from the use of
personal email accounts or servers outside the .gov domain,
improve the process to identify and remove inactive user
accounts, update and enforce guidance related to the control
of national security information, and implement the
recommendations of the applicable reports of the cognizant
Office of Inspector General.
use of funds in contravention of this act
Sec. 7017. If the President makes a determination not to
comply with any provision of this Act on constitutional
grounds, the head of the relevant Federal agency shall notify
the Committees on Appropriations in writing within 5 days of
such determination, the basis for such determination and any
resulting changes to program or policy.
prohibition on funding for abortions and involuntary sterilization
Sec. 7018. None of the funds made available to carry out
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may
be used to pay for the performance of abortions as a method
of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to
practice abortions. None of the funds made available to carry
out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended,
may be used to pay for the performance of involuntary
sterilization as a method of family planning or to coerce or
provide any financial incentive to any person to undergo
sterilizations. None of the funds made available to carry out
part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may
be used to pay for any biomedical research which relates in
whole or in part, to methods of, or the performance of,
abortions or involuntary sterilization as a means of family
planning. None of the funds made available to carry out part
I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, may be
obligated or expended for any country or organization if the
President certifies that the use of these funds by any such
country or organization would violate any of the above
provisions related to abortions and involuntary
sterilizations.
allocations and reports
Sec. 7019. (a) Allocation Tables.--Subject to subsection
(b), funds appropriated by this Act under titles III through
V shall be made available in the amounts specifically
designated in the respective tables included in the report
accompanying this Act: Provided, That such designated
amounts for foreign countries and international organizations
shall serve as the amounts for such countries and
international organizations transmitted to Congress in the
report required by section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, and shall be made available for such foreign
countries and international organizations notwithstanding the
date of the transmission of such report.
(b) Authorized Deviations.--Unless otherwise provided for
by this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, as
applicable, may only deviate up to 5 percent from the amounts
specifically designated in the respective tables included in
the report accompanying this Act.
(c) Limitation.--For specifically designated amounts that
are included, pursuant to subsection (a), in the report
required by section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, deviations authorized by subsection (b) may only take
place after submission of such report.
(d) Exceptions.--Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply
to--
(1) funds for which the initial period of availability has
expired; and
(2) amounts designated by this Act as minimum funding
requirements.
(e) Reports.--The Secretary of State, USAID Administrator,
and other designated officials, as appropriate, shall submit
the reports required, in the manner described, in the report
accompanying this Act.
(f) Clarification.--Funds appropriated by this Act under
the headings ``International Disaster Assistance'' and
``Migration and Refugee Assistance'' shall not be included
for purposes of meeting amounts designated for countries in
this Act, unless such headings are specifically designated as
the source of funds.
multi-year pledges
Sec. 7020. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used to make any pledge for
future year funding for any multilateral or bilateral program
funded in titles III through VI of this Act unless such
pledge was: (1) previously justified, including the projected
future year costs, in a congressional budget justification;
(2) included in an Act making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
or previously authorized by an Act of Congress; (3) notified
in accordance with the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations, including the projected future
year costs; or (4) the subject of prior consultation with the
Committees on Appropriations and such consultation was
conducted at least 7 days in advance of the pledge.
prohibition on assistance to governments supporting international
terrorism
Sec. 7021. (a) Lethal Military Equipment Exports.--
(1) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available under titles III through VI of this
Act may be made available to any foreign government which
provides lethal military equipment to a country the
government of which the Secretary of State has determined
supports international terrorism for purposes of section
1754(c) of the Export Reform Control Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C.
4813(c)): Provided, That the prohibition under this section
with respect to a foreign government shall terminate 12
months after that government ceases to provide such military
equipment: Provided further, That this section applies with
respect to lethal military equipment provided under a
contract entered into after October 1, 1997.
(2) Determination.--Assistance restricted by paragraph (1)
or any other similar provision of law, may be furnished if
the President determines that to do so is important to the
national interest of the United States.
(3) Report.--Whenever the President makes a determination
pursuant to paragraph (2), the President shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a report with respect to the
furnishing of such assistance, including a detailed
explanation of the assistance to be provided, the estimated
dollar amount of such assistance, and an explanation of how
the assistance furthers the United States national interest.
(b) Bilateral Assistance.--
(1) Limitations.--Funds appropriated for bilateral
assistance in titles III through VI of this Act and funds
appropriated under any such title in prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, shall not be made available
to any foreign government which the President determines--
(A) grants sanctuary from prosecution to any individual or
group which has committed an act of international terrorism;
(B) otherwise supports international terrorism; or
(C) is controlled by an organization designated as a
terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
[[Page H4737]]
(2) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of
paragraph (1) to a government if the President determines
that national security or humanitarian reasons justify such
waiver: Provided, That the President shall publish each such
waiver in the Federal Register and, at least 15 days before
the waiver takes effect, shall notify the Committees on
Appropriations of the waiver (including the justification for
the waiver) in accordance with the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
authorization requirements
Sec. 7022. Funds appropriated by this Act, except funds
appropriated under the heading ``Trade and Development
Agency'', may be obligated and expended notwithstanding
section 10 of Public Law 91-672 (22 U.S.C. 2412), section 15
of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (22 U.S.C.
6212), and section 504(a)(1) of the National Security Act of
1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094(a)(1)).
definition of program, project, and activity
Sec. 7023. For the purpose of titles II through VI of this
Act, ``program, project, and activity'' shall be defined at
the appropriations Act account level and shall include all
appropriations and authorizations Acts funding directives,
ceilings, and limitations with the exception that for the
``Economic Support Fund'', ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia
and Central Asia'', and ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' accounts, ``program, project, and activity'' shall
also be considered to include country, regional, and central
program level funding within each such account, and for the
development assistance accounts of the United States Agency
for International Development, ``program, project, and
activity'' shall also be considered to include central,
country, regional, and program level funding, either as--
(1) justified to Congress; or
(2) allocated by the Executive Branch in accordance with
the report required by section 653(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 or as modified pursuant to section
7019 of this Act.
authorities for the peace corps, inter-american foundation, and united
states african development foundation
Sec. 7024. Unless expressly provided to the contrary,
provisions of this or any other Act, including provisions
contained in prior Acts authorizing or making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, shall not be construed to prohibit activities
authorized by or conducted under the Peace Corps Act, the
Inter-American Foundation Act, or the African Development
Foundation Act: Provided, That prior to conducting
activities in a country for which assistance is prohibited,
the agency shall consult with the Committees on
Appropriations and report to such Committees within 15 days
of taking such action.
commerce, trade and surplus commodities
Sec. 7025. (a) World Markets.--None of the funds
appropriated or made available pursuant to titles III through
VI of this Act for direct assistance and none of the funds
otherwise made available to the Export-Import Bank and the
United States International Development Finance Corporation
shall be obligated or expended to finance any loan, any
assistance, or any other financial commitments for
establishing or expanding production of any commodity for
export by any country other than the United States, if the
commodity is likely to be in surplus on world markets at the
time the resulting productive capacity is expected to become
operative and if the assistance will cause substantial injury
to United States producers of the same, similar, or competing
commodity: Provided, That such prohibition shall not apply
to the Export-Import Bank if in the judgment of its Board of
Directors the benefits to industry and employment in the
United States are likely to outweigh the injury to United
States producers of the same, similar, or competing
commodity, and the Chairman of the Board so notifies the
Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That this
subsection shall not prohibit--
(1) activities in a country that is eligible for assistance
from the International Development Association, is not
eligible for assistance from the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, and does not export on a
consistent basis the agricultural commodity with respect to
which assistance is furnished; or
(2) activities in a country the President determines is
recovering from widespread conflict, a humanitarian crisis,
or a complex emergency.
(b) Exports.--None of the funds appropriated by this or any
other Act to carry out chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 shall be available for any testing or
breeding feasibility study, variety improvement or
introduction, consultancy, publication, conference, or
training in connection with the growth or production in a
foreign country of an agricultural commodity for export which
would compete with a similar commodity grown or produced in
the United States: Provided, That this subsection shall not
prohibit--
(1) activities designed to increase food security in
developing countries where such activities will not have a
significant impact on the export of agricultural commodities
of the United States;
(2) research activities intended primarily to benefit
United States producers;
(3) activities in a country that is eligible for assistance
from the International Development Association, is not
eligible for assistance from the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, and does not export on a
consistent basis the agricultural commodity with respect to
which assistance is furnished; or
(4) activities in a country the President determines is
recovering from widespread conflict, a humanitarian crisis,
or a complex emergency.
(c) International Financial Institutions.--The Secretary of
the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive
director of each international financial institution to use
the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any
assistance by such institution, using funds appropriated or
otherwise made available by this Act, for the production or
extraction of any commodity or mineral for export, if it is
in surplus on world markets and if the assistance will cause
substantial injury to United States producers of the same,
similar, or competing commodity.
separate accounts
Sec. 7026. (a) Separate Accounts for Local Currencies.--
(1) Agreements.--If assistance is furnished to the
government of a foreign country under chapters 1 and 10 of
part I or chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 under agreements which result in the generation of
local currencies of that country, the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development shall--
(A) require that local currencies be deposited in a
separate account established by that government;
(B) enter into an agreement with that government which sets
forth--
(i) the amount of the local currencies to be generated; and
(ii) the terms and conditions under which the currencies so
deposited may be utilized, consistent with this section; and
(C) establish by agreement with that government the
responsibilities of USAID and that government to monitor and
account for deposits into and disbursements from the separate
account.
(2) Uses of local currencies.--As may be agreed upon with
the foreign government, local currencies deposited in a
separate account pursuant to subsection (a), or an equivalent
amount of local currencies, shall be used only--
(A) to carry out chapter 1 or 10 of part I or chapter 4 of
part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (as the case
may be), for such purposes as--
(i) project and sector assistance activities; or
(ii) debt and deficit financing; or
(B) for the administrative requirements of the United
States Government.
(3) Programming accountability.--USAID shall take all
necessary steps to ensure that the equivalent of the local
currencies disbursed pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A) from
the separate account established pursuant to subsection
(a)(1) are used for the purposes agreed upon pursuant to
subsection (a)(2).
(4) Termination of assistance programs.--Upon termination
of assistance to a country under chapter 1 or 10 of part I or
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(as the case may be), any unencumbered balances of funds
which remain in a separate account established pursuant to
subsection (a) shall be disposed of for such purposes as may
be agreed to by the government of that country and the United
States Government.
(b) Separate Accounts for Cash Transfers.--
(1) In general.--If assistance is made available to the
government of a foreign country, under chapter 1 or 10 of
part I or chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961, as cash transfer assistance or as nonproject sector
assistance, that country shall be required to maintain such
funds in a separate account and not commingle with any other
funds.
(2) Applicability of other provisions of law.--Such funds
may be obligated and expended notwithstanding provisions of
law which are inconsistent with the nature of this
assistance, including provisions which are referenced in the
Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference
accompanying House Joint Resolution 648 (House Report No. 98-
1159).
(3) Notification.--At least 15 days prior to obligating any
such cash transfer or nonproject sector assistance, the
President shall submit a notification through the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations,
which shall include a detailed description of how the funds
proposed to be made available will be used, with a discussion
of the United States interests that will be served by such
assistance (including, as appropriate, a description of the
economic policy reforms that will be promoted by such
assistance).
(4) Exemption.--Nonproject sector assistance funds may be
exempt from the requirements of paragraph (1) only through
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
eligibility for assistance
Sec. 7027. (a) Assistance Through Nongovernmental
Organizations.--Restrictions contained in this or any other
Act with respect to assistance for a country shall not be
construed to restrict assistance in support of programs of
nongovernmental organizations from funds appropriated by this
Act to
[[Page H4738]]
carry out the provisions of chapters 1, 10, 11, and 12 of
part I and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 and from funds appropriated under the heading
``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'':
Provided, That before using the authority of this subsection
to furnish assistance in support of programs of
nongovernmental organizations, the President shall notify the
Committees on Appropriations pursuant to the regular
notification procedures, including a description of the
program to be assisted, the assistance to be provided, and
the reasons for furnishing such assistance: Provided
further, That nothing in this subsection shall be construed
to alter any existing statutory prohibitions against abortion
or involuntary sterilizations contained in this or any other
Act.
(b) Public Law 480.--During fiscal year 2024, restrictions
contained in this or any other Act with respect to assistance
for a country shall not be construed to restrict assistance
under the Food for Peace Act (Public Law 83-480; 7 U.S.C.
1721 et seq.): Provided, That none of the funds appropriated
to carry out title I of such Act and made available pursuant
to this subsection may be obligated or expended except as
provided through the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
(c) Exception.--This section shall not apply--
(1) with respect to section 620A of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 or any comparable provision of law prohibiting
assistance to countries that support international terrorism;
or
(2) with respect to section 116 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 or any comparable provision of law prohibiting
assistance to the government of a country that violates
internationally recognized human rights.
impact on jobs in the united states
Sec. 7028. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available under titles III through VI of this Act may be
obligated or expended to provide--
(1) any financial incentive to a business enterprise
currently located in the United States for the purpose of
inducing such an enterprise to relocate outside the United
States if such incentive or inducement is likely to reduce
the number of employees of such business enterprise in the
United States because United States production is being
replaced by such enterprise outside the United States;
(2) assistance for any program, project, or activity that
contributes to the violation of internationally recognized
workers' rights, as defined in section 507(4) of the Trade
Act of 1974, of workers in the recipient country, including
any designated zone or area in that country: Provided, That
the application of section 507(4)(D) and (E) of such Act (19
U.S.C. 2467(4)(D) and (E)) should be commensurate with the
level of development of the recipient country and sector, and
shall not preclude assistance for the informal sector in such
country, micro and small-scale enterprise, and smallholder
agriculture;
(3) any assistance to an entity outside the United States
if such assistance is for the purpose of directly relocating
or transferring jobs from the United States to other
countries and adversely impacts the labor force in the United
States; or
(4) for the enforcement of any rule, regulation, policy, or
guidelines implemented pursuant to the Supplemental
Guidelines for High Carbon Intensity Projects approved by the
Export-Import Bank of the United States on December 12, 2013,
when enforcement of such rule, regulation, policy, or
guidelines would prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting,
any coal-fired or other power-generation project the purpose
of which is to--
(A) provide affordable electricity in International
Development Association (IDA)-eligible countries and IDA-
blend countries; and
(B) increase exports of goods and services from the United
States or prevent the loss of jobs from the United States.
international financial institutions
Sec. 7029. (a) Compensation.--None of the funds
appropriated under title V of this Act may be made as payment
to any international financial institution while the United
States executive director to such institution is compensated
by the institution at a rate which, together with whatever
compensation such executive director receives from the United
States, is in excess of the rate provided for an individual
occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, or while
any alternate United States executive director to such
institution is compensated by the institution at a rate in
excess of the rate provided for an individual occupying a
position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section
5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Human Rights.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
instruct the United States executive director of each
international financial institution to use the voice and vote
of the United States to promote human rights due diligence
and risk management, as appropriate, in connection with any
loan, grant, policy, or strategy of such institution.
(c) Fraud and Corruption.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall instruct the United States executive director of each
international financial institution to use the voice of the
United States to include in loan, grant, and other financing
agreements improvements in borrowing countries' financial
management and judicial capacity to investigate, prosecute,
and punish fraud and corruption.
(d) Beneficial Ownership Information.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director
of each international financial institution to use the voice
of the United States to encourage such institution to
collect, verify, and publish, to the maximum extent
practicable, beneficial ownership information (excluding
proprietary information) for any corporation or limited
liability company, other than a publicly listed company, that
receives funds from any such financial institution.
(e) Whistleblower Protections.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director
of each international financial institution to use the voice
of the United States to encourage such institution to
effectively implement and enforce policies and procedures
which meet or exceed best practices in the United States for
the protection of whistleblowers from retaliation,
including--
(1) protection against retaliation for internal and lawful
public disclosure;
(2) legal burdens of proof;
(3) statutes of limitation for reporting retaliation;
(4) access to binding independent adjudicative bodies,
including shared cost and selection external arbitration; and
(5) results that eliminate the effects of proven
retaliation, including provision for the restoration of prior
employment.
(f) Grievance Mechanisms and Procedures.--The Secretary of
the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive
director of each international financial institution to use
the voice of the United States to support independent
investigative and adjudicative mechanisms and procedures that
meet or exceed best practices in the United States to provide
due process and fair compensation, including the right to
reinstatement, for employees who are subjected to harassment,
discrimination, retaliation, false allegations, or other
misconduct.
(g) Capital Increases.--None of the funds appropriated by
this Act may be made available to support a new capital
increase for an international financial institution unless
the President submits a budget request for such increase to
Congress and determines and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that--
(1) the institution has completed a thorough analysis of
the development challenges facing the relevant geographical
region, the role of the institution in addressing such
challenges and its role relative to other financing partners,
and the steps to be taken to enhance the efficiency and
effectiveness of the institution; and
(2) the governors of such institution have approved the
capital increase.
(h) Opposition to Lending to the People's Republic of
China.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the
United States executive director at each multilateral
development bank to use the voice and vote of the United
States to oppose any loan, extension of financial assistance,
or technical assistance by such bank to the People's Republic
of China.
(i) Contributions to Financial Intermediary Funds.--The
Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure that no United States
contribution to a financial intermediary fund may be used to
provide any loan, extension of financial assistance, or
technical assistance to the People's Republic of China or to
any country or region subject to comprehensive sanctions by
the United States.
(j) Report to Congress and Withholding.--
(1) Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report
to the Committees on Appropriations indicating the amount of
funds that a financial intermediary fund is budgeting for the
year in which the report is submitted for a country or region
described in subsection (i).
(2) If a report under paragraph (1) indicates that a
financial intermediary fund plans to spend funds for a
country or region described under subsection (i), including
through projects implemented by a multilateral development
bank, then 10 percent of the United States contribution to
such bank shall be withheld from obligation for the remainder
of the fiscal year in which the report is submitted.
(k) Guidance on Multilateral Development Banks.--None of
the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this
Act under the heading ``Multilateral Assistance'' may be used
to implement, administer, or otherwise carry out Executive
Order 14008 (relating to Executive Order on Tackling the
Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad), including the memorandum
entitled ``Guidance on Fossil Fuel Energy at the Multilateral
Development Banks'', issued by the Department of the Treasury
on August 16, 2021.
technology security
Sec. 7030. (a) Insecure Communications Networks.--Funds
appropriated by this Act shall be made available for
programs, including through the Digital Connectivity and
Cybersecurity Partnership, to--
(1) advance the adoption of secure, next-generation
communications networks and services, including 5G, and
cybersecurity policies, in countries receiving assistance
under this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs;
[[Page H4739]]
(2) counter the establishment of insecure communications
networks and services, including 5G, promoted by the People's
Republic of China and other state-backed enterprises that are
subject to undue or extrajudicial control by their country of
origin; and
(3) provide policy and technical training on deploying
open, interoperable, reliable, and secure networks to
information communication technology professionals in
countries receiving assistance under this Act, as
appropriate:
Provided, That such funds, including funds appropriated
under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'', may be used to
strengthen civilian cybersecurity and information and
communications technology capacity, including participation
of foreign law enforcement and military personnel in non-
military activities, notwithstanding any other provision of
law and following consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
(b) CHIPS for America International Technology Security and
Innovation Fund.--
(1) Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of State shall allocate amounts made available from the
Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS)
for America International Technology Security and Innovation
Fund for fiscal year 2024 pursuant to the transfer authority
in section 102(c)(1) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (division A of
Public Law 117-167), to the accounts specified and in the
amounts specified, in the table titled ``CHIPS for America
International Technology Security and Innovation Fund'' in
the report accompanying this Act: Provided, That such funds
shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided further, That amounts transferred to the Export-
Import Bank of the United States and the United States
International Development Finance Corporation pursuant to the
transfer authority in section 102(c)(1) of the CHIPS Act of
2022 (division A of Public Law 117-167) may be made available
for the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees, including
the cost of modifying such loans, as defined in section 502
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(2) Neither the President nor his designee may allocate any
amounts that are made available for any fiscal year under
section 102(c)(2) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 if there is in
effect an Act making or continuing appropriations for part of
a fiscal year for the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs: Provided, That in any
fiscal year, the matter preceding this proviso shall not
apply to the allocation, apportionment, or allotment of
amounts for continuing administration of programs allocated
using funds transferred from the CHIPS for America
International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, which
may be allocated pursuant to the transfer authority in
section 102(c)(1) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 only in amounts
that are no more than the allocation for such purposes in
paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the
President for fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations proposed
allocations by account and by program, project, or activity,
with detailed justifications, for amounts made available
under section 102(c)(2) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 for fiscal
year 2025.
(4) The Secretary of State shall provide the Committees on
Appropriations quarterly reports on the status of balances of
projects and activities funded by the CHIPS for America
International Technology Security and Innovation Fund for
amounts allocated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this
subsection, including all uncommitted, committed, and
unobligated funds.
financial management, budget transparency, and anti-corruption
Sec. 7031. (a) Limitation on Direct Government-to-
Government Assistance.--
(1) Requirements.--Funds appropriated by this Act may be
made available for direct government-to-government assistance
only if--
(A)(i) each implementing agency or ministry to receive
assistance has been assessed and is considered to have the
systems required to manage such assistance and any identified
vulnerabilities or weaknesses of such agency or ministry have
been addressed;
(ii) the recipient agency or ministry employs and utilizes
staff with the necessary technical, financial, and management
capabilities;
(iii) the recipient agency or ministry has adopted
competitive procurement policies and systems;
(iv) effective monitoring and evaluation systems are in
place to ensure that such assistance is used for its intended
purposes;
(v) no level of acceptable fraud is assumed; and
(vi) the government of the recipient country is taking
steps to publicly disclose on an annual basis its national
budget, to include income and expenditures;
(B) the recipient government is in compliance with the
principles set forth in section 7013 of this Act;
(C) the recipient agency or ministry is not headed or
controlled by an organization designated as a foreign
terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189);
(D) the Government of the United States and the government
of the recipient country have agreed, in writing, on clear
and achievable objectives for the use of such assistance,
which should be made available on a cost-reimbursable basis;
(E) the recipient government is taking steps to protect the
rights of civil society, including freedoms of expression,
association, and assembly; and
(F) the government of the recipient country is taking steps
to reduce corruption.
(2) Consultation and notification.--In addition to the
requirements in paragraph (1), funds may only be made
available for direct government-to-government assistance
subject to prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided, That such notification shall contain an
explanation of how the proposed activity meets the
requirements of paragraph (1): Provided further, That the
requirements of this paragraph shall only apply to direct
government-to-government assistance in excess of $5,000,000
and all funds available for cash transfer, budget support,
and cash payments to individuals.
(3) Suspension of assistance.--The Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development or the
Secretary of State, as appropriate, shall suspend any direct
government-to-government assistance if the Administrator or
the Secretary has credible information of material misuse of
such assistance, unless the Administrator or the Secretary
reports to the Committees on Appropriations that it is in the
national interest of the United States to continue such
assistance, including a justification, or that such misuse
has been appropriately addressed.
(4) Submission of information.--The Secretary of State
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations, concurrent
with the fiscal year 2025 congressional budget justification
materials, amounts planned for assistance described in
paragraph (1) by country, proposed funding amount, source of
funds, and type of assistance.
(5) Debt service payment prohibition.--None of the funds
made available by this Act may be used by the government of
any foreign country for debt service payments owed by any
country to any international financial institution or to the
Government of the People's Republic of China.
(b) National Budget and Contract Transparency.--
(1) Minimum requirements of fiscal transparency.--The
Secretary of State shall continue to update and strengthen
the ``minimum requirements of fiscal transparency'' for each
government receiving assistance appropriated by this Act, as
identified in the report required by section 7031(b) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of Public Law 113-76).
(2) Determination and report.--For each government
identified pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State,
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, shall make or update any determination of ``significant
progress'' or ``no significant progress'' in meeting the
minimum requirements of fiscal transparency, and make such
determinations publicly available in an annual ``Fiscal
Transparency Report'' to be posted on the Department of State
website: Provided, That such report shall include the
elements included under this section in the report
accompanying this Act.
(3) Assistance.--Funds appropriated under title III of this
Act shall be made available for programs and activities to
assist governments identified pursuant to paragraph (1) to
improve budget transparency and to support civil society
organizations in such countries that promote budget
transparency.
(c) Anti-Kleptocracy and Human Rights.--
(1) Ineligibility.--
(A) Officials of foreign governments and their immediate
family members about whom the Secretary of State has credible
information have been involved, directly or indirectly, in
significant corruption, including corruption related to the
extraction of natural resources, or a gross violation of
human rights, including the wrongful detention of locally
employed staff of a United States diplomatic mission or a
United States citizen or national, shall be ineligible for
entry into the United States.
(B) Concurrent with the application of subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall, as appropriate, refer the matter to the
Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury,
to determine whether to apply sanctions authorities in
accordance with United States law to block the transfer of
property and interests in property, and all financial
transactions, in the United States involving any person
described in such subparagraph.
(C) The Secretary shall also publicly or privately
designate or identify the officials of foreign governments
and their immediate family members about whom the Secretary
has such credible information without regard to whether the
individual has applied for a visa.
(2) Exception.--Individuals shall not be ineligible for
entry into the United States pursuant to paragraph (1) if
such entry would further important United States law
enforcement objectives or is necessary to permit the United
States to fulfill its obligations under the United Nations
Headquarters Agreement: Provided, That nothing in paragraph
(1) shall be construed to derogate from United States
[[Page H4740]]
Government obligations under applicable international
agreements.
(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the application of
paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the waiver
would serve a compelling national interest or that the
circumstances which caused the individual to be ineligible
have changed sufficiently.
(4) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until
September 30, 2025, the Secretary of State shall submit a
report, including a classified annex if necessary, to the
appropriate congressional committees and the Committees on
the Judiciary describing the information related to
corruption or violation of human rights concerning each of
the individuals found ineligible in the previous 12 months
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) as well as the individuals who
the Secretary designated or identified pursuant to paragraph
(1)(B), or who would be ineligible but for the application of
paragraph (2), a list of any waivers provided under paragraph
(3), and the justification for each waiver.
(d) Extraction of Natural Resources.--
(1) Assistance.--Funds appropriated by this Act may be made
available to promote and support transparency and
accountability of expenditures and revenues related to the
extraction of natural resources, including by strengthening
implementation and monitoring of the Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative, implementing and enforcing section
8204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 2052) and the amendments made
by such section, and to prevent the sale of conflict
diamonds, and for technical assistance to promote independent
audit mechanisms and support civil society participation in
natural resource management.
(2) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act under title III may be made available to support mining
activities related to the extraction of minerals until the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that comparable mining activities
are permitted in areas in the United States which were
allowable prior to 2023: Provided, That the restriction in
this paragraph shall not apply to United States entities.
(e) Foreign Assistance Website.--Funds appropriated by this
Act under titles I and II, and funds made available for any
independent agency in title III, as appropriate, shall be
made available to support the provision of additional
information on United States Government foreign assistance on
the ``ForeignAssistance.gov'' website: Provided, That all
Federal agencies funded under this Act shall provide such
information on foreign assistance, upon request and in a
timely manner, to the Department of State and the United
States Agency for International Development.
democracy programs
Sec. 7032. (a) Funding.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under the headings ``Development Assistance'', ``Economic
Support Fund'', ``Democracy Fund'', ``Assistance for Europe,
Eurasia and Central Asia'', and ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'', $2,900,000,000 shall be made
available for democracy programs.
(b) Authorities.--
(1) Availability.--Funds made available by this Act for
democracy programs pursuant to subsection (a) and under the
heading ``National Endowment for Democracy'' may be made
available notwithstanding any other provision of law, and
with regard to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED),
any regulation.
(2) Beneficiaries.--Funds made available by this Act for
the NED are made available pursuant to the authority of the
National Endowment for Democracy Act (title V of Public Law
98-164), including all decisions regarding the selection of
beneficiaries.
(c) Definition of Democracy Programs.--For purposes of
funds appropriated by this Act, the term ``democracy
programs'' means programs that support: outcomes of improved
democratic governance; credible and observable electoral
processes; strong, multi-party political systems with rights
to contest government; rule of law; freedoms of expression,
assembly, association, and religion; human rights, including
property rights; activities by non-governmental organizations
and other civil society, including independent media, that
promote the outcomes described in this subsection.
(d) Program Prioritization.--Funds made available for
support to strengthen government institutions, including
ministries, should be prioritized for countries demonstrating
strong separation of powers, checks and balances, rule of
law, and credible and observable electoral processes.
(e) Restrictions on Foreign Government Interference.--With
respect to the provision of assistance for democracy programs
in this Act, the organizations implementing such assistance,
the specific nature of the assistance, and the participants
in such programs shall not be subject to prior approval by
the government of any foreign country.
(f) Informing Programming.--The Secretary of State,
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, and President of the NED should coordinate on
plans for democracy programs supported with funds
appropriated by this Act during joint regional and country
planning for fiscal year 2024.
international religious freedom
Sec. 7033. (a) International Religious Freedom Office.--
Funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Diplomatic
Programs'' shall be made available for the Office of
International Religious Freedom, Department of State.
(b) Assistance.--(1) Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Economic Support Fund'', ``Democracy
Fund'', and ``International Broadcasting Operations'', not
less than $50,000,000 shall be made available for
international religious freedom programs: Provided, That
funds made available by this Act under the headings
``Economic Support Fund'' and ``Democracy Fund'' pursuant to
this section shall be the responsibility of the Ambassador-
at-Large for International Religious Freedom, in consultation
with other relevant United States Government officials, and
shall be subject to prior consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
(2) Funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``International Disaster Assistance'' and ``Migration and
Refugee Assistance'' shall be made available for humanitarian
assistance for vulnerable and persecuted ethnic and religious
minorities
(c) Authority.--Funds appropriated by this Act and prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' may be made available
notwithstanding any other provision of law for assistance for
ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria.
(d) Designation of Non-State Actors.--Section 7033(e) of
the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2017 (division J of Public Law
115-31) shall continue in effect during fiscal year 2024.
special provisions
Sec. 7034. (a) Victims of War, Displaced Children, and
Displaced Burmese.--Funds appropriated in title III of this
Act that are made available for victims of war, displaced
children, displaced Burmese, and to combat trafficking in
persons and assist victims of such trafficking may be made
available notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(b) Forensic Assistance.--
(1) Funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' shall be made available for
forensic anthropology assistance related to the exhumation
and identification of victims of war crimes, crimes against
humanity, and genocide, which shall be administered by the
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor,
Department of State.
(2) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'', not
less than $10,000,000 shall be made available for DNA
forensic technology programs to combat human trafficking in
Central America and Mexico.
(c) World Food Programme.--Funds managed by the Bureau for
Humanitarian Assistance, United States Agency for
International Development from this Act may be made available
as a general contribution to the World Food Programme.
(d) Directives and Authorities.--
(1) Research and training.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and
Central Asia'' shall be made available to carry out the
Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the
Independent States of the Former Soviet Union as authorized
by the Soviet-Eastern European Research and Training Act of
1983 (22 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.).
(2) Genocide victims memorial sites.--Funds appropriated by
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
under the headings ``Economic Support Fund'' and ``Assistance
for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'' may be made available
as contributions to establish and maintain memorial sites of
genocide, subject to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations.
(3) Special envoy for holocaust issues.--Funds appropriated
by this Act under the heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' may be
made available for the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues
notwithstanding the limitation of section 7064(e)(3) of this
Act.
(4) Private sector partnerships.--Of the funds appropriated
by this Act under the headings ``Development Assistance'' and
``Economic Support Fund'' that are made available for private
sector partnerships, including partnerships with
philanthropic foundations, up to $50,000,000 may remain
available until September 30, 2026: Provided, That funds
made available pursuant to this paragraph may only be made
available following prior consultation with, and the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
(5) Innovation.--The USAID Administrator may use funds
appropriated by this Act under title III to make innovation
incentive awards in accordance with the terms and conditions
of section 7034(e)(4) of the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019
(division F of Public Law 116-6): Provided, That each
individual award may not exceed $100,000.
(6) Exchange visitor program.--None of the funds made
available by this Act may be used to modify the Exchange
Visitor Program administered by the Department of State to
implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of
1961 (Public Law 87-256; 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), except
through the formal rulemaking process pursuant to the
Administrative Procedure Act
[[Page H4741]]
(5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.) and notwithstanding the exceptions to
such rulemaking process in such Act: Provided, That funds
made available for such purpose shall only be made available
after consultation with, and subject to the regular
notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations,
regarding how any proposed modification would affect the
public diplomacy goals of, and the estimated economic impact
on, the United States: Provided further, That such
consultation shall take place not later than 30 days prior to
the publication in the Federal Register of any regulatory
action modifying the Exchange Visitor Program.
(7) Payments.--Funds appropriated by this Act and prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the headings
``Diplomatic Programs'' and ``Operating Expenses'', except
for funds designated by Congress as an emergency requirement
pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985,
are available to provide payments pursuant to section
901(i)(2) of title IX of division J of the Further
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (22 U.S.C.
2680b(i)(2)): Provided, That funds made available pursuant
to this paragraph shall be subject to prior consultation with
the Committees on Appropriations.
(e) Partner Vetting.--Prior to initiating a partner vetting
program, providing a direct vetting option, or making a
significant change to the scope of an existing partner
vetting program, the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator, as appropriate, shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations: Provided, That the Secretary
and the Administrator shall provide a direct vetting option
for prime awardees in any partner vetting program initiated
or significantly modified after the date of enactment of this
Act, unless the Secretary or Administrator, as applicable,
informs the Committees on Appropriations on a case-by-case
basis that a direct vetting option is not feasible for such
program: Provided further, That the Secretary and the
Administrator may restrict the award of, terminate, or cancel
contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements or require an
awardee to restrict the award of, terminate, or cancel a sub-
award based on information in connection with a partner
vetting program.
(f) International Child Abductions.--The Secretary of State
should withhold funds appropriated under title III of this
Act for assistance for the central government of any country
that is not taking appropriate steps to comply with the
Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abductions, done at the Hague on October 25, 1980: Provided,
That the Secretary shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations within 15 days of withholding funds under this
subsection.
(g) Transfer of Funds for Extraordinary Protection.--The
Secretary of State may transfer to, and merge with, funds
under the heading ``Protection of Foreign Missions and
Officials'' unobligated balances of expired funds
appropriated under the heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' for
fiscal year 2024, at no later than the end of the fifth
fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which such funds
are available for the purposes for which appropriated:
Provided, That not more than $50,000,000 may be transferred.
(h) Extension of Authorities.--
(1) Incentives for critical posts.--The authority contained
in section 1115(d) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act,
2009 (Public Law 111-32) shall remain in effect through
September 30, 2024.
(2) Special inspector general for afghanistan
reconstruction competitive status.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, any employee of the Special Inspector
General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) who completes
at least 12 months of continuous service after enactment of
this Act or who is employed on the date on which SIGAR
terminates, whichever occurs first, shall acquire competitive
status for appointment to any position in the competitive
service for which the employee possesses the required
qualifications.
(3) Transfer of balances.--Section 7081(h) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2017 (division J of Public Law 115-31)
shall continue in effect during fiscal year 2024.
(4) Protective services.--Section 7071 of the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2022 (division K of Public Law 117-103)
shall continue in effect during fiscal year 2024 and shall be
applied to funds appropriated by this Act by substituting
``$40,000,000'' for ``$30,000,000''.
(5) Extension of loan guarantees to israel.--Chapter 5 of
title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-11; 117 Stat. 576) is amended under
the heading ``Loan Guarantees to Israel''--
(A) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking
``September 30, 2028'' and inserting ``September 30, 2029'';
and
(B) in the second proviso, by striking ``September 30,
2028'' and inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
(6) Extension of certain personal services contract
authority.--The authority provided in section 2401 of
division C of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering
Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117-43) shall remain in
effect through September 30, 2024.
(7) Extension of certain requirements.--During the current
fiscal year, sections (2), (3), and (4) of the PEPFAR
Extension Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-305) shall be applied
by substituting ``2024'' for ``2023'' each place it occurs.
(i) Monitoring and Evaluation.--
(1) Beneficiary feedback.--Funds appropriated by this Act
that are made available for monitoring and evaluation of
assistance under the headings ``Development Assistance'',
``International Disaster Assistance'', and ``Migration and
Refugee Assistance'' shall be made available for the regular
and systematic collection of feedback obtained directly from
beneficiaries to enhance the quality and relevance of such
assistance: Provided, That the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator shall regularly conduct oversight to ensure
that such feedback is collected and used by implementing
partners to maximize the cost-effectiveness and utility of
such assistance.
(2) Ex-post evaluations.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under titles III and IV, not less than $10,000,000 should
be made available for ex-post evaluations of the
effectiveness and sustainability of United States Government-
funded assistance programs.
(j) HIV/AIDS Working Capital Fund.--Funds available in the
HIV/AIDS Working Capital Fund established pursuant to section
525(b)(1) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-
447) may be made available for pharmaceuticals and other
products for child survival, malaria, and tuberculosis to the
same extent as HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals and other products,
subject to the terms and conditions in such section:
Provided, That the authority in section 525(b)(5) of the
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-447) shall be
exercised by the Assistant Administrator for Global Health,
USAID, with respect to funds deposited for such non-HIV/AIDS
pharmaceuticals and other products, and shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That the Secretary of
State shall include in the congressional budget justification
an accounting of budgetary resources, disbursements,
balances, and reimbursements related to such fund.
(k) Loans, Consultation, and Notification.--
(1) Loan guarantees.--Funds appropriated under the headings
``Economic Support Fund'' and ``Assistance for Europe,
Eurasia and Central Asia'' by this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs may be made available for
the costs, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of loan guarantees for Egypt, Jordan,
Small Island Developing States, and Ukraine, which are
authorized to be provided: Provided, That amounts made
available under this paragraph for the costs of such
guarantees shall not be considered assistance for the
purposes of provisions of law limiting assistance to a
country.
(2) Foreign military financing direct loans.--During fiscal
year 2024, direct loans under section 23 of the Arms Export
Control Act may be made available for North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) or Major Non-NATO Allies, notwithstanding
section 23(c)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, gross
obligations for the principal amounts of which shall not
exceed $8,000,000,000: Provided, That funds appropriated
under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' in
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, including balances that were previously designated
by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operation/Global War
on Terrorism pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985,
may be made available for the costs, as defined in section
502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of such loans:
Provided further, That such costs, including the cost of
modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and may include the
costs of selling, reducing, or cancelling any amounts owed to
the United States or any agency of the United States:
Provided further, That the Government of the United States
may charge fees for such loans, which shall be collected from
borrowers in accordance with section 502(7) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That no
funds made available to the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) or Major Non-NATO Allies by this or any
other appropriations Act for this fiscal year or prior fiscal
years may be used for payment of any fees associated with
such loans: Provided further, That such loans shall be
repaid in not more than 12 years, including a grace period of
up to one year on repayment of principal: Provided further,
That amounts made available under this paragraph for such
costs shall not be considered assistance for the purposes of
provisions of law limiting assistance to a country.
(3) Foreign military financing loan guarantees.--Funds
appropriated under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' in this Act and prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, including balances that were previously designated
by the Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global
War on Terrorism
[[Page H4742]]
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, may be made
available, notwithstanding the third proviso under such
heading, for the costs of loan guarantees under section 24 of
the Arms Export Control Act for North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) or Major Non-NATO Allies: Provided,
That such funds are available to subsidize gross obligations
for the principal amount of commercial loans, and total loan
principal, any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to
exceed $8,000,000,000: Provided further, That no loan
guarantee with respect to any one borrower may exceed 80
percent of the loan principal: Provided further, That any
loan guaranteed under this paragraph may not be subordinated
to another debt contracted by the borrower or to any other
claims against the borrower in the case of default: Provided
further, That repayment in United States dollars of any loan
guaranteed under this paragraph shall be required within a
period not to exceed 12 years after the loan agreement is
signed: Provided further, That the Government of the United
States may charge fees for such loan guarantees, as may be
determined, notwithstanding section 24 of the Arms Export
Control Act, which shall be collected from borrowers or third
parties on behalf of such borrowers in accordance with
section 502(7) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
Provided further, That amounts made available under this
paragraph for the costs of such guarantees shall not be
considered assistance for the purposes of provisions of law
limiting assistance to a country.
(4) Limitation.--Prior to offering Foreign Military
Financing Program loans or loan guarantees to Major Non-NATO
Allies, the Secretary of State shall determine and report to
the appropriate congressional committees that such partners
do not support any foreign adversary as defined by 15 CFR
Sec. 7.4.
(5) Consultation and notification.--Funds made available
pursuant to the authorities of this subsection shall be
subject to prior consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees and the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(l) Local Works.--
(1) Funding.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the headings ``Development Assistance'' and ``Economic
Support Fund'', not less than $50,000,000 shall be made
available for Local Works pursuant to section 7080 of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2015 (division J of Public Law 113-235),
which may remain available until September 30, 2028.
(2) Eligible entities.--For the purposes of section 7080 of
the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2015 (division J of Public Law
113-235), ``eligible entities'' shall be defined as small
local, international, and United States-based nongovernmental
organizations, educational institutions, and other small
entities that have received less than a total of $5,000,000
from USAID over the previous 5 fiscal years: Provided, That
departments or centers of such educational institutions may
be considered individually in determining such eligibility.
(m) Definitions.--
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--Unless otherwise
defined in this Act, for purposes of this Act the term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committees
on Appropriations and Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Funds appropriated by this act and prior acts.--Unless
otherwise defined in this Act, for purposes of this Act the
term ``funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs'' means funds that remain
available for obligation, and have not expired.
(3) International financial institutions.--In this Act
``international financial institutions'' means the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the
International Development Association, the International
Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the
International Monetary Fund, the International Fund for
Agricultural Development, the Asian Development Bank, the
Asian Development Fund, the Inter-American Investment
Corporation, the North American Development Bank, the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the African
Development Bank, the African Development Fund, and the
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.
(4) Spend plan.--In this Act, the term ``spend plan'' means
a plan for the uses of funds appropriated for a particular
entity, country, program, purpose, or account and which shall
include, at a minimum, a description of--
(A) realistic and sustainable goals, criteria for measuring
progress, and a timeline for achieving such goals;
(B) amounts and sources of funds by account;
(C) how such funds will complement other ongoing or planned
programs; and
(D) implementing partners, to the maximum extent
practicable.
(5) Successor operating unit.--Any reference to a
particular operating unit or office in this Act or prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs shall be deemed to include
any successor operating unit performing the same or similar
functions.
(6) USAID.--In this Act, the term ``USAID'' means the
United States Agency for International Development.
law enforcement and security
Sec. 7035. (a) Assistance.--
(1) Community-based police assistance.--Funds made
available under titles III and IV of this Act to carry out
the provisions of chapter 1 of part I and chapters 4 and 6 of
part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, may be used,
notwithstanding section 660 of that Act, to enhance the
effectiveness and accountability of civilian police authority
through training and technical assistance in human rights,
the rule of law, anti-corruption, strategic planning, and
through assistance to foster civilian police roles that
support democratic governance, including assistance for
programs to prevent conflict, respond to disasters, address
violence against women and girls, and foster improved police
relations with the communities they serve.
(2) Combat casualty care.--
(A) Consistent with the objectives of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``Peacekeeping
Operations'' and ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' shall
be made available for combat casualty training and equipment
in an amount above the prior fiscal year.
(B) The Secretary of State shall offer combat casualty care
training and equipment as a component of any package of
lethal assistance funded by this Act with funds appropriated
under the headings ``Peacekeeping Operations'' and ``Foreign
Military Financing Program'': Provided, That the requirement
of this subparagraph shall apply to a country in conflict,
unless the Secretary determines that such country has in
place, to the maximum extent practicable, functioning combat
casualty care treatment and equipment that meets or exceeds
the standards recommended by the Committee on Tactical Combat
Casualty Care: Provided further, That any such training and
equipment for combat casualty care shall be made available
through an open and competitive process.
(b) Authorities.--
(1) Reconstituting civilian police authority.--In providing
assistance with funds appropriated by this Act under section
660(b)(6) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, support for
a nation emerging from instability may be deemed to mean
support for regional, district, municipal, or other sub-
national entity emerging from instability, as well as a
nation emerging from instability.
(2) Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.--
Section 7034(d) of the Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2015
(division J of Public Law 113-235) shall continue in effect
during fiscal year 2024.
(3) Commercial leasing of defense articles.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations, the authority of section 23(a) of the Arms
Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763) may be used to provide
financing to Israel, Egypt, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), and Major Non-NATO Allies for the
procurement by leasing (including leasing with an option to
purchase) of defense articles from United States commercial
suppliers, not including Major Defense Equipment (other than
helicopters and other types of aircraft having possible
civilian application), if the President determines that there
are compelling foreign policy or national security reasons
for those defense articles being provided by commercial lease
rather than by government-to-government sale under such Act.
(4) Special defense acquisition fund.--Not to exceed
$900,000,000 may be obligated pursuant to section 51(c)(2) of
the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2795(c)(2)) for the
purposes of the Special Defense Acquisition Fund (the Fund),
to remain available for obligation until September 30, 2026:
Provided, That the provision of defense articles and defense
services to foreign countries or international organizations
from the Fund shall be subject to the concurrence of the
Secretary of State.
(5) Extension of war reserves stockpile authority.--
(A) Section 12001(d) of the Department of Defense
Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011)
is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2026''.
(B) Section 514(b)(2)(A) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``or
2025'' and inserting ``2025 and 2026''.
(6) Technical amendments.--
(A) Notwithstanding Section 503(a)(3) of Public Law 87-195
(22 U.S.C. 2311(a)(3)), the procurement of defense articles
and services funded on a non-repayable basis under section 23
of the Arms Export Control Act may be priced to include the
costs of salaries of members of the Armed Forces of the
United States engaged in security assistance activities
pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 341 (relating to the State Partnership
Program): Provided, That this section shall only apply to
funds that remain available for obligation in fiscal year
2024.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, equipment
procured with funds appropriated by this Act or prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs
[[Page H4743]]
under the heading ``Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability
Fund'' may be used for any other program and in any region:
Provided, That use of this authority shall be subject to
prior consultation with the Committees on Appropriations.
(c) Limitations.--
(1) Child soldiers.--Funds appropriated by this Act should
not be used to support any military training or operations
that include child soldiers.
(2) Landmines and cluster munitions.--
(A) Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
demining equipment available to the United States Agency for
International Development and the Department of State and
used in support of the clearance of landmines and unexploded
ordnance for humanitarian purposes may be disposed of on a
grant basis in foreign countries, subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(B) Cluster munitions.--No military assistance shall be
furnished for cluster munitions, no defense export license
for cluster munitions may be issued, and no cluster munitions
or cluster munitions technology shall be sold or transferred,
unless--
(i) the submunitions of the cluster munitions, after
arming, do not result in more than 1 percent unexploded
ordnance across the range of intended operational
environments, and the agreement applicable to the assistance,
transfer, or sale of such cluster munitions or cluster
munitions technology specifies that the cluster munitions
will only be used against clearly defined military targets
and will not be used where civilians are known to be present
or in areas normally inhabited by civilians; or
(ii) such assistance, license, sale, or transfer is for the
purpose of demilitarizing or permanently disposing of such
cluster munitions.
(3) Crowd control.--If the Secretary of State has
information that a unit of a foreign security force uses
excessive force to repress peaceful expression or assembly
concerning corruption, harm to the environment or human
health, or the fairness of electoral processes, or in
countries that are undemocratic or undergoing democratic
transition, the Secretary shall promptly determine if such
information is credible: Provided, That if the information
is determined to be credible, funds appropriated by this Act
should not be used for tear gas, small arms, light weapons,
ammunition, or other items for crowd control purposes for
such unit, unless the Secretary of State determines that the
foreign government is taking effective measures to bring the
responsible members of such unit to justice.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Security assistance report.--Not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations a
report on funds obligated and expended during fiscal year
2023, by country and purpose of assistance, under the
headings ``Peacekeeping Operations'', ``International
Military Education and Training'', and ``Foreign Military
Financing Program''.
(2) Annual foreign military training report.--For the
purposes of implementing section 656 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, the term ``military training provided
to foreign military personnel by the Department of Defense
and the Department of State'' shall be deemed to include all
military training provided by foreign governments with funds
appropriated to the Department of Defense or the Department
of State, except for training provided by the government of a
country designated by section 517(b) of such Act (22 U.S.C.
2321k(b)) as a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization
ally: Provided, That such third-country training shall be
clearly identified in the report submitted pursuant to
section 656 of such Act.
combating trafficking in persons
Sec. 7036. (a) Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in
Persons.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Diplomatic Programs'', not less than $25,000,000
shall be made available for the Office to Monitor and Combat
Trafficking in Persons.
(b) Programs to Combat Trafficking in Persons.--Of the
funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``Development Assistance'', ``Economic Support Fund'',
``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'', and
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'', not
less than $123,900,000 shall be made available for activities
to combat trafficking in persons internationally, including
for the Program to End Modern Slavery, of which not less than
$92,000,000 shall be from funds made available under the
heading ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'': Provided, That funds made available by this
Act under the headings ``Development Assistance'', ``Economic
Support Fund'', and ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and
Central Asia'' that are made available for activities to
combat trafficking in persons should be obligated and
programmed consistent with the country-specific
recommendations included in the annual Trafficking in Persons
Report, and shall be coordinated with the Office to Monitor
and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Department of State.
(c) Training.--Of the funds made available by this Act, not
less than $1,000,000 shall be made available to further
develop, standardize, and update training for all United
States Government personnel under Chief of Mission authority
posted at United States embassies and consulates abroad, on
recognizing signs of human trafficking, and protocols for
reporting such cases.
(d) Conferences.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are
made available for international conferences may not be made
available for such conferences in Tier 3 countries, as
defined by section 104 of the Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-386), unless
the purpose of the conference is to combat human trafficking
or is in the United States national security interest, as
determined by the Secretary of State.
palestinian statehood
Sec. 7037. (a) Limitation on Assistance.--None of the funds
appropriated under titles III through VI of this Act may be
provided to support a Palestinian state unless the Secretary
of State determines and certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that--
(1) the governing entity of a new Palestinian state--
(A) has demonstrated a firm commitment to peaceful co-
existence with the State of Israel; and
(B) is taking appropriate measures to counter terrorism and
terrorist financing in the West Bank and Gaza, including the
dismantling of terrorist infrastructures, and is cooperating
with appropriate Israeli and other appropriate security
organizations; and
(2) the Palestinian Authority (or the governing entity of a
new Palestinian state) is working with other countries in the
region to vigorously pursue efforts to establish a just,
lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East that will
enable Israel and an independent Palestinian state to exist
within the context of full and normal relationships, which
should include--
(A) termination of all claims or states of belligerency;
(B) respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty,
territorial integrity, and political independence of every
state in the area through measures including the
establishment of demilitarized zones;
(C) their right to live in peace within secure and
recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;
(D) freedom of navigation through international waterways
in the area; and
(E) a framework for achieving a just settlement of the
refugee problem.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the governing entity should enact a constitution assuring the
rule of law, an independent judiciary, and respect for human
rights for its citizens, and should enact other laws and
regulations assuring transparent and accountable governance.
(c) Waiver.--The President may waive subsection (a) if the
President determines that it is important to the national
security interest of the United States to do so.
(d) Exemption.--The restriction in subsection (a) shall not
apply to assistance intended to help reform the Palestinian
Authority and affiliated institutions, or the governing
entity, in order to help meet the requirements of subsection
(a), consistent with the provisions of section 7040 of this
Act (``Limitation on Assistance for the Palestinian
Authority'').
prohibition on assistance to the palestinian broadcasting corporation
Sec. 7038. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used to provide equipment,
technical support, consulting services, or any other form of
assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.
assistance for the west bank and gaza
Sec. 7039. (a) Oversight.--For fiscal year 2024, 30 days
prior to the initial obligation of funds for the bilateral
West Bank and Gaza Program, the Secretary of State shall
certify to the Committees on Appropriations that procedures
have been established to assure the Comptroller General of
the United States will have access to appropriate United
States financial information in order to review the uses of
United States assistance for the Program funded under the
heading ``Economic Support Fund'' for the West Bank and Gaza.
(b) Vetting.--Prior to the obligation of funds appropriated
by this Act under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' for
assistance for the West Bank and Gaza, the Secretary of State
shall take all appropriate steps to ensure that such
assistance is not provided to or through any individual,
private or government entity, or educational institution that
the Secretary knows or has reason to believe advocates,
plans, sponsors, engages in, or has engaged in, terrorist
activity nor, with respect to private entities or educational
institutions, those that have as a principal officer of the
entity's governing board or governing board of trustees any
individual that has been determined to be involved in, or
advocating terrorist activity or determined to be a member of
a designated foreign terrorist organization: Provided, That
the Secretary of State shall, as appropriate, establish
procedures specifying the steps to be taken in carrying out
this subsection and shall terminate assistance to any
individual, entity, or educational institution which the
Secretary has determined to be involved in or advocating
terrorist activity.
(c) Prohibition.--
(1) Recognition of acts of terrorism.--None of the funds
appropriated under titles III through VI of this Act for
assistance under the West Bank and Gaza Program may be made
available for--
[[Page H4744]]
(A) the purpose of recognizing or otherwise honoring
individuals who commit, or have committed acts of terrorism;
and
(B) any educational institution located in the West Bank or
Gaza that is named after an individual who the Secretary of
State determines has committed an act of terrorism.
(2) Security assistance and reporting requirement.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
made available by this or prior appropriations Acts,
including funds made available by transfer, may be made
available for obligation for security assistance for the West
Bank and Gaza until the Secretary of State reports to the
Committees on Appropriations on--
(A) the benchmarks that have been established for security
assistance for the West Bank and Gaza and on the extent of
Palestinian compliance with such benchmarks; and
(B) the steps being taken by the Palestinian Authority to
end torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment
of detainees, including by bringing to justice members of
Palestinian security forces who commit such crimes.
(d) Oversight by the United States Agency for International
Development.--
(1) The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall ensure that Federal or non-
Federal audits of all contractors and grantees, and
significant subcontractors and sub-grantees, under the West
Bank and Gaza Program, are conducted at least on an annual
basis to ensure, among other things, compliance with this
section.
(2) Of the funds appropriated by this Act, up to $1,500,000
may be used by the Office of Inspector General of the United
States Agency for International Development for audits,
investigations, and other activities in furtherance of the
requirements of this subsection: Provided, That such funds
are in addition to funds otherwise available for such
purposes.
(e) Comptroller General of the United States Audit.--
Subsequent to the certification specified in subsection (a),
the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an
audit and an investigation of the treatment, handling, and
uses of all funds for the bilateral West Bank and Gaza
Program, including all funds provided as cash transfer
assistance, in fiscal year 2024 under the heading ``Economic
Support Fund'', and such audit shall address--
(1) the extent to which such Program complies with the
requirements of subsections (b) and (c); and
(2) an examination of all programs, projects, and
activities carried out under such Program, including both
obligations and expenditures.
(f) Notification Procedures.--Funds made available in this
Act for West Bank and Gaza shall be subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
limitation on assistance for the palestinian authority
Sec. 7040. (a) Prohibition of Funds.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act to carry out the provisions of
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
may be obligated or expended with respect to providing funds
to the Palestinian Authority.
(b) Waiver.--The prohibition included in subsection (a)
shall not apply if the President certifies in writing to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro
tempore of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations
that waiving such prohibition is important to the national
security interest of the United States.
(c) Period of Application of Waiver.--Any waiver pursuant
to subsection (b) shall be effective for no more than a
period of 6 months at a time and shall not apply beyond 12
months after the enactment of this Act.
(d) Report.--Whenever the waiver authority pursuant to
subsection (b) is exercised, the President shall submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing the
justification for the waiver, the purposes for which the
funds will be spent, and the accounting procedures in place
to ensure that the funds are properly disbursed: Provided,
That the report shall also detail the steps the Palestinian
Authority has taken to arrest terrorists, confiscate weapons
and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure.
(e) Certification.--If the President exercises the waiver
authority under subsection (b), the Secretary of State must
certify and report to the Committees on Appropriations prior
to the obligation of funds that the Palestinian Authority has
established a single treasury account for all Palestinian
Authority financing and all financing mechanisms flow through
this account, no parallel financing mechanisms exist outside
of the Palestinian Authority treasury account, and there is a
single comprehensive civil service roster and payroll, and
the Palestinian Authority is acting to counter incitement of
violence against Israelis and is supporting activities aimed
at promoting peace, coexistence, and security cooperation
with Israel.
(f) Prohibition to Hamas and the Palestine Liberation
Organization.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated in titles III through VI
of this Act may be obligated for salaries of personnel of the
Palestinian Authority located in Gaza or may be obligated or
expended for assistance to Hamas or any entity effectively
controlled by Hamas, any power-sharing government of which
Hamas is a member, or that results from an agreement with
Hamas and over which Hamas exercises undue influence.
(2) Notwithstanding the limitation of paragraph (1),
assistance may be provided to a power-sharing government only
if the President certifies and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that such government, including all of its
ministers or such equivalent, has publicly accepted and is
complying with the principles contained in section 620K(b)(1)
(A) and (B) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as
amended.
(3) The President may exercise the authority in section
620K(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by
the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-
446) with respect to this subsection.
(4) Whenever the certification pursuant to paragraph (2) is
exercised, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to
the Committees on Appropriations within 120 days of the
certification and every quarter thereafter on whether such
government, including all of its ministers or such equivalent
are continuing to comply with the principles contained in
section 620K(b)(1) (A) and (B) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961, as amended: Provided, That the report shall also
detail the amount, purposes and delivery mechanisms for any
assistance provided pursuant to the abovementioned
certification and a full accounting of any direct support of
such government.
(5) None of the funds appropriated under titles III through
VI of this Act may be obligated for assistance for the
Palestine Liberation Organization.
middle east and north africa
Sec. 7041. (a) Egypt.--
(1) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act for
assistance for Egypt--
(A) not less than $125,000,000 shall be made available from
funds under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'', of which
not less than $40,000,000 should be made available for higher
education programs, including not less than $15,000,000 for
scholarships for Egyptian students with high financial need
to attend not-for-profit institutions of higher education in
Egypt that are currently accredited by a regional accrediting
agency recognized by the United States Department of
Education, or meets standards equivalent to those required
for United States institutional accreditation by a regional
accrediting agency recognized by such Department: Provided,
That such funds shall be made available for democracy
programs, and for development programs in the Sinai.
(B) not less than $1,300,000,000 shall be made available
from funds under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', to remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That such funds may be transferred to an interest
bearing account in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
(2) Additional Security Assistance.--In addition to funds
made available pursuant to paragraph (1), not less than
$75,000,000 of the funds appropriated under the heading
``Foreign Military Financing Program'' shall be made
available for assistance for Egypt.
(3) Certification and report.--Funds appropriated by this
Act that are available for assistance for Egypt may be made
available notwithstanding any other provision of law
restricting assistance for Egypt, except for this subsection
and section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and
may only be made available for assistance for the Government
of Egypt if the Secretary of State certifies and reports to
the Committees on Appropriations that such government is--
(A) sustaining the strategic relationship with the United
States; and
(B) meeting its obligations under the 1979 Egypt-Israel
Peace Treaty.
(b) Iran.--
(1) Funding.--Funds appropriated by this Act under the
headings ``Diplomatic Programs'', ``Economic Support Fund'',
and ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs'' shall be made available by the Secretary of
State--
(A) to support the United States policy to prevent Iran
from achieving the capability to produce or otherwise obtain
a nuclear weapon;
(B) to support an expeditious response to any violation of
United Nations Security Council Resolutions or to efforts
that advance Iran's nuclear program;
(C) to support the implementation and enforcement of
sanctions against Iran for support of nuclear weapons
development, terrorism, human rights abuses, and ballistic
missile and weapons proliferation; and
(D) for democracy programs in support of the aspirations of
the Iranian people.
(2) Reports.--
(A) Semi-annual report.--The Secretary of State shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations the semi-annual
report required by section 135(d)(4) of the Atomic Energy Act
of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2160e(d)(4)), as added by section 2 of the
Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-
17).
(B) Sanctions report.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
(i) the status of United States bilateral sanctions on
Iran;
(ii) the reimposition and renewed enforcement of secondary
sanctions; and
(iii) the impact such sanctions have had on Iran's
destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East.
(3) Limitations.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act may be--
[[Page H4745]]
(A) used to implement or enforce a future agreement with
the Government of Iran relating to the nuclear program of
Iran, or a renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
adopted on October 18, 2015, until such agreement is
transmitted to Congress pursuant to section 135 of the Iran
Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 2160e) and
such agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate as a treaty and has received the concurrence of two-
thirds of Senators concurring;
(B) made available to any foreign entity or person that is
subject to United Nations or United States bilateral
sanctions with respect to the Government of Iran or an entity
organized under the laws of Iran or otherwise subject to the
jurisdiction of such government; or
(C) used to revoke the designation of the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
(c) Iraq.--
(1) Purposes.--Funds appropriated under titles III and IV
of this Act shall be made available for assistance for Iraq
for--
(A) bilateral economic assistance and international
security assistance, including in the Kurdistan Region of
Iraq;
(B) stabilization assistance;
(C) programs to support government transparency and
accountability, judicial independence, protect the right of
due process, and combat corruption;
(D) humanitarian assistance, including in the Kurdistan
Region of Iraq;
(E) programs to protect and assist religious and ethnic
minority populations; and
(F) programs to increase United States private sector
investment.
(2) Limitation.--Funds appropriated by this Act under
titles III through VI may not be made available to an
organization or entity controlled by, or an affiliate of, the
Badr Organization or to any other organization or entity for
which the Secretary of State has credible information is a
proxy of Iran.
(d) Israel.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'', not less
than $3,300,000,000 shall be available for grants only for
Israel which shall be disbursed within 30 days of enactment
of this Act: Provided, That to the extent that the
Government of Israel requests that funds be used for such
purposes, grants made available for Israel under this heading
shall, as agreed by the United States and Israel, be
available for advanced weapons systems, of which not less
than $725,300,000 shall be available for the procurement in
Israel of defense articles and defense services, including
research and development.
(e) Jordan.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
titles III and IV, not less than $1,650,000,000 shall be made
available for assistance for Jordan, of which not less than
$845,100,000 shall be made available for budget support for
the Government of Jordan and not less than $425,000,000 shall
be made available under the heading ``Foreign Military
Financing Program''.
(f) Lebanon.--
(1) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
may be made available for the Lebanese Internal Security
Forces (ISF) or the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) if the ISF or
the LAF is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization, as
designated pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
(2) Security assistance.--
(A) Funds appropriated by this Act under the headings
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'' and
``Foreign Military Financing Program'' that are made
available for assistance for Lebanon may be made available
for programs and equipment for the ISF and the LAF to address
security and stability requirements in areas affected by
conflict in Syria, following consultation with the
appropriate congressional committees.
(B) Funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Foreign Military Financing Program'' that are made
available for assistance for Lebanon may only be made
available for programs to--
(i) professionalize the LAF to mitigate internal and
external threats from non-state actors, including Hizballah;
(ii) strengthen the security of borders and combat
terrorism, including training and equipping the LAF to secure
the borders of Lebanon and address security and stability
requirements in areas affected by conflict in Syria,
interdicting arms shipments, and preventing the use of
Lebanon as a safe haven for terrorist groups; and
(iii) implement United Nations Security Council Resolution
1701:
Provided, That prior to obligating funds made available by
this subparagraph for assistance for the LAF, the Secretary
of State shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations a
spend plan, including actions to be taken to ensure equipment
provided to the LAF is used only for the intended purposes,
except such plan may not be considered as meeting the
notification requirements under section 7015 of this Act or
under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961:
Provided further, That any notification submitted pursuant to
such section shall include any funds specifically intended
for lethal military equipment.
(g) Morocco.--Funds appropriated under titles III and IV of
this Act shall be made available for assistance for Morocco.
(h) Saudi Arabia.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``International Military Education and Training''
should be made available for assistance for the Government of
Saudi Arabia.
(2) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs should be obligated or expended by the Export-Import
Bank of the United States to guarantee, insure, or extend (or
participate in the extension of) credit in connection with
the export of nuclear technology, equipment, fuel, materials,
or other nuclear technology-related goods or services to
Saudi Arabia unless the Government of Saudi Arabia--
(A) has in effect a nuclear cooperation agreement pursuant
to section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
2153);
(B) has committed to renounce uranium enrichment and
reprocessing on its territory under that agreement; and
(C) has signed and implemented an Additional Protocol to
its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International
Atomic Energy Agency.
(i) Syria.--
(1) Non-lethal assistance.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under titles III and IV may be made available,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for non-lethal
stabilization assistance to address the needs of civilians
affected by conflict in Syria.
(2) Limitations.--Funds made available pursuant to
paragraph (1) of this subsection--
(A) may not be made available for a project or activity
that supports or otherwise legitimizes the Government of
Iran, foreign terrorist organizations (as designated pursuant
to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1189)), or a proxy of Iran in Syria;
(B) may not be made available for activities that further
the strategic objectives of the Government of the Russian
Federation that the Secretary of State determines may
threaten or undermine United States national security
interests; and
(C) may not be used in areas of Syria controlled by a
government led by Bashar al-Assad or associated forces or
made available to an organization or entity effectively
controlled by an official or immediate family member of an
official of such government.
(3) Monitoring, oversight, consultation, and
notification.--
(A) Prior to the obligation of funds appropriated by this
Act and made available for assistance for Syria, the
Secretary of State shall take all practicable steps to ensure
that mechanisms are in place for monitoring, oversight, and
control of such assistance inside Syria.
(B) Section 7015(j) of this Act regarding the notification
of assistance diverted or destroyed shall apply to funds made
available for assistance for Syria.
(C) Funds made available pursuant to this subsection may
only be made available following consultation with the
appropriate congressional committees and shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided, That such consultation shall
include the steps taken to comply with subparagraph (A).
(j) West Bank and Gaza.--
(1) Report on assistance.--Prior to the initial obligation
of funds made available by this Act under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' for assistance for the West Bank
and Gaza, the Secretary of State shall report to the
Committees on Appropriations that the purpose of such
assistance is to--
(A) advance Middle East peace;
(B) improve security in the region;
(C) continue support for transparent and accountable
government institutions;
(D) promote a private sector economy; or
(E) address urgent humanitarian needs.
(2) Limitations.--
(A) None of the funds appropriated under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' in this Act may be made available
for assistance for the Palestinian Authority, if after the
date of enactment of this Act--
(i) the Palestinians obtain the same standing as member
states or full membership as a state in the United Nations or
any specialized agency thereof outside an agreement
negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians; or
(ii) the Palestinians initiate an International Criminal
Court (ICC) judicially authorized investigation, or actively
support such an investigation, that subjects Israeli
nationals to an investigation for alleged crimes against
Palestinians.
(B)(i) The President may waive the provisions of section
1003 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years
1988 and 1989 (Public Law 100-204) if the President
determines and certifies in writing to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the
Senate, and the appropriate congressional committees that the
Palestinians have not, after the date of enactment of this
Act--
(I) obtained in the United Nations or any specialized
agency thereof the same standing as member states or full
membership as a state outside an agreement negotiated between
Israel and the Palestinians;
(II) initiated or actively supported an ICC investigation
against Israeli nationals for alleged crimes against
Palestinians; and
(III) initiated any further action, whether directly or
indirectly, based on an Advisory
[[Page H4746]]
Opinion of the International Court of Justice that undermines
direct negotiations to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, including matters related to final status and
Israel's longstanding security rights and responsibilities.
(ii) Not less than 90 days after the President is unable to
make the certification pursuant to clause (i) of this
subparagraph, the President may waive section 1003 of Public
Law 100-204 if the President determines and certifies in
writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Committees on
Appropriations that the Palestinians have entered into direct
and meaningful negotiations with Israel: Provided, That any
waiver of the provisions of section 1003 of Public Law 100-
204 under clause (i) of this subparagraph or under previous
provisions of law must expire before the waiver under this
clause may be exercised.
(iii) Any waiver pursuant to this subparagraph shall be
effective for no more than a period of 6 months at a time and
shall not apply beyond 12 months after the enactment of this
Act.
(3) Application of taylor force act.--Funds appropriated by
this Act under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' that are
made available for assistance for the West Bank and Gaza
shall be made available consistent with section 1004(a) of
the Taylor Force Act (title X of division S of Public Law
115-141).
(4) Security report.--The reporting requirements in section
1404 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law
110-252) shall apply to funds made available by this Act,
including a description of modifications, if any, to the
security strategy of the Palestinian Authority.
(5) Incitement report.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees
detailing steps taken by the Palestinian Authority to counter
incitement of violence against Israelis and to promote peace
and coexistence with Israel.
(6) Office requirements.--The Office of Palestinian Affairs
in Jerusalem shall report directly to the United States
Ambassador to Israel, consistent with the operations of the
previous Palestinian Affairs Unit, and may not administer or
manage funds appropriated under title III of this Act.
africa
Sec. 7042. (a) Counter Illicit Armed Groups.--Funds
appropriated by this Act shall be made available for programs
and activities in areas affected by the Lord's Resistance
Army (LRA) or other illicit armed groups in Eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African
Republic, including to improve physical access,
telecommunications infrastructure, and early-warning
mechanisms and to support the disarmament, demobilization,
and reintegration of former LRA combatants, especially child
soldiers.
(b) Ethiopia.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are made
available for assistance for Ethiopia should be used to
support--
(1) implementation of the cessation of hostilities
agreement in Tigray;
(2) political dialogues and confidence building measures to
end other conflicts in the country;
(3) civil society and protect human rights;
(4) efforts to provide unimpeded access to humanitarian
assistance;
(5) investigations and prosecutions of gross violations of
human rights; and
(6) restoration of basic services in areas impacted by
conflict.
(c) Malawi.--Funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs that are made available for
higher education programs in Malawi shall be made available
for higher education and workforce development programs in
agriculture as described under this section in the report
accompanying this Act.
(d) Power Africa All-of-the-above Energy Policy.--None of
the funds appropriated under title III of this Act may be
made available for renewable energy programs as part of Power
Africa until the Administrator of the United States Agency
for International Development certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that no less than the
total funds allocated for renewable energy during the
previous fiscal year has been allocated in fiscal year 2024
for other sources of energy included in paragraph (8) of
section 3 of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015 (Public Law
114-121).
(e) South Sudan.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act under title IV may be made available for assistance for
the central Government of South Sudan, except to support
implementation of outstanding issues of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement, mutual arrangements related to post-
referendum issues associated with such Agreement, or any
other viable peace agreement in South Sudan: Provided, That
funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs that are made available for
any new program, project, or activity in South Sudan shall be
subject to prior consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees.
(f) Sudan.--Funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs that are made available for
any new program, project, or activity in Sudan shall be
subject to prior consultation with the appropriate
congressional committees and the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(g) Zimbabwe.--
(1) Instruction.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
instruct the United States executive director of each
international financial institution to vote against any
extension by the respective institution of any loan or grant
to the Government of Zimbabwe, except to meet basic human
needs or to promote democracy, unless the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
that the rule of law has been restored, including respect for
ownership and title to property, and freedoms of expression,
association, and assembly.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
shall be made available for assistance for the central
Government of Zimbabwe, except for health and education,
unless the Secretary of State certifies and reports as
required in paragraph (1).
east asia and the pacific
Sec. 7043. (a) Burma.--
(1) Uses of funds.--Funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' may be made available
for assistance for Burma to support implementation of
paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 5575 of the BURMA Act
of 2022 (subtitle E of title LV of division E of Public Law
117-263), and, which--
(A) may be made available notwithstanding any other
provision of law that restricts assistance to countries,
except for the limitations of section 5576 of such Act and
section 7008 of this Act, and following consultation with the
appropriate congressional committees;
(B) may be made available for support for the
administrative operations and programs of entities that
support peaceful efforts to establish an inclusive and
representative democracy in Burma and a federal union to
foster equality and justice among Burma's diverse ethnic
groups;
(C) shall be made available for programs to promote ethnic
and religious tolerance, unity, and accountability and to
combat violence against women and girls across Burma, and
among Burmese displaced and refugee populations in the
region;
(D) shall be made available for community-based
organizations with experience operating in Thailand and may
be made available elsewhere outside of Burma to provide food,
medical, and other humanitarian assistance to internally
displaced persons in Burma, in addition to assistance for
Burmese refugees from funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Migration and Refugee Assistance''; and
(E) shall be made available for programs and activities to
investigate and document violations of human rights in Burma
committed by the military junta and its affiliated militias.
(2) International security assistance.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``International
Military Education and Training'' and ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'' may be made available for assistance for
Burma.
(3) Limitations.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act that are made available for assistance for Burma may be
made available to the State Administration Council or any
organization or entity controlled by, or an affiliate of, the
armed forces of Burma, or to any individual or organization
that has committed a gross violation of human rights or
advocates violence against ethnic or religious groups or
individuals in Burma, as determined by the Secretary of State
for programs administered by the Department of State and the
United States Agency for International Development or the
President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for
programs administered by NED.
(4) Consultation.--Any new program or activity in Burma
initiated in fiscal year 2024 shall be subject to prior
consultation with the appropriate congressional committees.
(b) Cambodia.--
(1) Certification and exceptions.--
(A) Certification.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act that are made available for assistance for the Government
of Cambodia may be obligated or expended unless the Secretary
of State certifies and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that such Government is taking effective steps
to--
(i) strengthen regional security and stability,
particularly regarding territorial disputes in the South
China Sea and the enforcement of international sanctions with
respect to North Korea;
(ii) assert its sovereignty against interference by the
People's Republic of China, including by verifiably
maintaining the neutrality of Ream Naval Base, other military
installations in Cambodia, and dual use facilities such as
the runway at the Dara Sakor development project;
(iii) cease violence, threats, and harassment against civil
society and the political opposition in Cambodia, and dismiss
any politically motivated criminal charges against critics of
the government; and
(iv) respect the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities
enshrined in the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia as
enacted in 1993.
(B) Exceptions.--The certification required by subparagraph
(A) shall not apply to funds appropriated by this Act and
made
[[Page H4747]]
available for programs to strengthen the sovereignty of
Cambodia, and programs to educate and inform the people of
Cambodia of the influence activities of the People's Republic
of China in Cambodia.
(2) Uses of funds.--Funds appropriated under title III of
this Act for assistance for Cambodia shall be made available
for--
(A) research, documentation, and education programs
associated with the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and
(B) programs in the Khmer language to monitor, map, and
publicize the efforts by the People's Republic of China to
expand its influence in Cambodia.
(c) Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Asia Reassurance
Initiative Act of 2018.--
(1) Diplomatic engagement.--Of the funds appropriated under
title I of this Act, not less than $1,238,255,000 should be
made available to support implementation of the Indo-Pacific
Strategy and the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-409): Provided, That funds under the heading
``Diplomatic Program'' that are allocated pursuant to this
paragraph may be transferred to, and merged with, funds under
the heading ``Related Programs'' in title I of this Act and
under the heading ``Operating Expenses'' in title II of this
Act to carry out the purposes of this paragraph: Provided
further, That the transfer authority of this paragraph is in
addition to any other transfer authority provided by this Act
or any other Act and shall be subject to prior consultation
with, and the regular notification procedures of, the
Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated under titles III
and IV of this Act, not less than $2,161,745,000 shall be
made available to support implementation of the Indo-Pacific
Strategy and the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-409).
(3) Countering prc influence fund.--Of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``Development
Assistance'', ``Economic Support Fund'', ``International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'', ``Nonproliferation,
Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs'', and
``Foreign Military Financing Program'', not less than
$400,000,000 shall be made available for a Countering PRC
Influence Fund to counter the influence of the Government of
the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist
Party and entities acting on their behalf globally, which
shall be subject to prior consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided, That such funds are in addition to
amounts otherwise made available for such purposes: Provided
further, That up to 10 percent of such funds shall be held in
reserve to respond to unanticipated opportunities to counter
PRC influence: Provided further, That the uses of such funds
shall be the joint responsibility of the Secretary of State
and the USAID Administrator, and shall be allocated as
described under this section in the report accompanying this
Act: Provided further, That funds made available pursuant to
this paragraph under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' may remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided further, That funds appropriated by this Act for
such Fund under the headings ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'', ``Nonproliferation, Anti-
terrorism, Demining and Related Programs'', and ``Foreign
Military Financing Program'' may be transferred to, and
merged with, funds appropriated under such headings:
Provided further, That such transfer authority is in addition
to any other transfer authority provided by this Act or any
other Act, and is subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(4) Restriction on uses of funds.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs may be made available for any project or activity
that directly supports or promotes--
(A) the Belt and Road Initiative or any dual-use
infrastructure projects of the People's Republic of China; or
(B) the use of technology, including biotechnology,
digital, telecommunications, and cyber, developed by the
People's Republic of China unless the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the USAID Administrator and the heads of
other Federal agencies, as appropriate, determines that such
use does not adversely impact the national security of the
United States.
(5) Maps.--None of the funds made available by this Act
should be used to create, procure, or display any map that
inaccurately depicts the territory and social and economic
system of Taiwan and the islands or island groups
administered by Taiwan authorities.
(d) North Korea.--
(1) Cybersecurity.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act or prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs may be made
available for assistance for the central government of a
country the Secretary of State determines and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees engages in significant
transactions contributing materially to the malicious cyber-
intrusion capabilities of the Government of North Korea:
Provided, That the Secretary of State shall submit the report
required by section 209 of the North Korea Sanctions and
Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-122; 22 U.S.C.
9229) to the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further,
That the Secretary of State may waive the application of the
restriction in this paragraph with respect to assistance for
the central government of a country if the Secretary
determines and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that to do so is important to the national
security interest of the United States, including a
description of such interest served.
(2) Broadcasts.--Funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``International Broadcasting Operations'' shall be
made available to maintain broadcasting hours into North
Korea at levels not less than the prior fiscal year.
(3) Human rights.--Funds appropriated by this Act under the
headings ``Economic Support Fund'' and ``Democracy Fund''
shall be made available for the promotion of human rights in
North Korea: Provided, That the authority of section
7032(b)(1) of this Act shall apply to such funds.
(4) Limitation on use of funds.--None of the funds made
available by this Act under the heading ``Economic Support
Fund'' may be made available for assistance for the
Government of North Korea.
(e) Pacific Islands Countries.--
(1) Operations.--Funds appropriated under title I in this
Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department
of State, foreign operations, and related programs may be
made available for establishing and operating diplomatic
facilities in Kiribati, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu,
subject to section 7015(a)(3) of this Act and following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'', ``Economic
Support Fund'', ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining
and Related Programs'', and ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', not less than $175,000,000 shall be made available
for assistance for Pacific Islands countries following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations:
Provided, That funds made available pursuant to this
paragraph shall be made available for joint development and
security programs between the United States and such
countries in coordination with regional allies and partners,
including Taiwan.
(f) People's Republic of China.--
(1) Prohibition.--
(A) None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made
available for assistance for the Government of People's
Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party.
(B) None of the funds made available by this Act shall be
used to implement, administer, carry out, modify, revise, or
enforce any action that directly supports or facilitates
forced labor or other violations of human rights, crimes
against humanity, or genocide in the People's Republic of
China.
(2) Hong kong.--
(A) Democracy programs.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under the first paragraph under the heading ``Democracy
Fund'', not less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for
democracy and Internet freedom programs for Hong Kong,
including legal and other support for democracy activists.
(B) Report.--The report required under section
7043(f)(3)(C) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021 (division K of
Public Law 116-260) shall be updated and submitted to the
Congress in the manner described.
(g) Philippines.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'', not
less than $40,000,000 shall be made available for assistance
for the Philippines.
(h) Taiwan.--
(1) Global cooperation and training framework.--Of the
funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Economic
Support Fund'', not less than $4,000,000 shall be made
available for the Global Cooperation and Training Framework,
which shall be administered by the American Institute in
Taiwan, and shall be apportioned and allotted to the American
Institute in Taiwan not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) Foreign military financing program.--Of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'', not less than $500,000,000 shall be made
available for assistance for Taiwan, as authorized by section
5502(h) of the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (subtitle A of
title LV of division E of Public Law 117-263): Provided,
That the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, shall prioritize the delivery of
defense articles and services for Taiwan.
(3) Foreign military financing program loan and loan
guarantee authority.--Funds appropriated by this Act and
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the heading
``Foreign Military Financing Program'', except for amounts
designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to a
concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, may be made
available for the costs, as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans and loan
guarantees for Taiwan, as authorized by section 5502(g) of
the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (subtitle A of title LV of
division E of Public Law 117-263).
[[Page H4748]]
(4) Fellowship program.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Payment to the American Institute in
Taiwan'' shall be made available to establish a Taiwan
Fellowship Program.
(5) Consultation.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall consult
with the Committees on Appropriations on the uses of funds
made available pursuant to this subsection: Provided, That
such funds shall be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(i) Tibet.--
(1) Programs for tibetan communities.--
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the
funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Economic
Support Fund'', not less than $10,000,000 shall be made
available to nongovernmental organizations with experience
working with Tibetan communities to support activities which
preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable
development, education, and environmental conservation in
Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in
other Tibetan communities in China, as authorized by section
346(d) of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020
(subtitle E of title III of division FF of Public Law 116-
260).
(B) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'', not less than $8,000,000 shall be
made available for programs to promote and preserve Tibetan
culture and language in the refugee and diaspora Tibetan
communities, development, and the resilience of Tibetan
communities and the Central Tibetan Administration in India
and Nepal, and to assist in the education and development of
the next generation of Tibetan leaders from such communities,
as authorized by section 346(e) of the Tibetan Policy and
Support Act of 2020 (subtitle E of title III of division FF
of Public Law 116-260): Provided, That such funds are in
addition to amounts made available in subparagraph (A) for
programs inside Tibet.
(C) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'', not less than $5,000,000 shall be
made available for programs to strengthen the capacity of the
Central Tibetan Administration, as authorized by section
346(f) of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020
(subtitle E of title III of division FF of Public Law 116-
260), of which not less than $2,000,000 shall be provided to
address economic growth and capacity building activities,
including for displaced Tibetan refugee families in India and
Nepal to help them meet basic needs: Provided, That such
funds shall be administered by USAID.
south and central asia
Sec. 7044. (a) Afghanistan.--
(1) Restriction.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department
of State, foreign operations, and related programs and made
available for assistance for Afghanistan may be made
available for--
(A) assistance to the Taliban; or
(B) a United States contribution to a multi-donor trust
fund for Afghanistan unless the Secretary of State certifies
and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that
such contribution will not benefit the Taliban, directly or
indirectly.
(2) Afghan women-led organizations.--Funds appropriated by
this Act that are made available for assistance for
Afghanistan shall be made available for a program for Afghan
women-led organizations to support education, human rights,
and economic livelihoods in Afghanistan: Provided, That such
program shall be co-designed by Afghan women.
(3) Afghan students.--Funds appropriated under title III of
this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
shall be made available to--
(A) support the higher education of students from
Afghanistan studying outside of the country, including the
costs of reimbursement to institutions hosting such students,
as appropriate: Provided, That the Secretary of State and
the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, as appropriate, shall consult with
the Committees on Appropriations prior to the initial
obligation of funds for such purposes; and
(B) provide modified learning opportunities for women and
girls in Afghanistan, including but not limited to, efforts
to expand internet access, online schooling, and distribution
of educational content.
(b) Pakistan.--
(1) Limitation.--Funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' that are made
available for assistance for Pakistan may only be made
available to support counterterrorism and counterinsurgency
capabilities in Pakistan.
(2) Withholding.--Of the funds appropriated under titles
III and IV of this Act that are made available for assistance
for Pakistan, $33,000,000 shall be withheld from obligation
until the Secretary of State reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that Dr. Shakil Afridi has been
released from prison and cleared of all charges relating to
the assistance provided to the United States in locating
Osama bin Laden.
(c) Sri Lanka.--
(1) Assistance.--Funds appropriated under title III of this
Act shall be made available for assistance for Sri Lanka for
democracy and economic development programs, particularly in
areas recovering from ethnic and religious conflict.
(2) Certification.--Funds appropriated by this Act for
assistance for the central Government of Sri Lanka may be
made available only if the Secretary of State certifies and
reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such
Government is taking effective and consistent steps to--
(A) protect the rights and freedoms of the people of Sri
Lanka regardless of ethnicity and religious belief, including
by investigating violations of human rights and the laws of
war and holding perpetrators of such violations accountable;
(B) engage in the fundamental, systemic, political,
economic, military, and legal reform necessary to recover
from the current financial collapse and to prevent conflict
and economic crises in the future;
(C) increase transparency and accountability in governance
and combat corruption;
(D) assert its sovereignty against influence by the
People's Republic of China; and
(E) promote reconciliation between ethnic and religious
groups, particularly arising from past conflict in Sri Lanka:
Provided, That the limitations of this paragraph shall not
apply to funds made available for humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief; to protect human rights, locate and identify
missing persons, and assist victims of torture and trauma; to
promote justice, accountability, and reconciliation; to
enhance maritime security and domain awareness; to promote
fiscal transparency and sovereignty; and for International
Military Education and Training.
(3) Limitation.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are
made available for assistance for the Sri Lankan armed forces
may only be made available for humanitarian assistance,
disaster relief, instruction in human rights and related
curricula development, maritime security and domain
awareness, including professionalization and training for the
navy and coast guard, and for programs and activities under
the heading ``International Military Education and
Training''.
latin america and the caribbean
Sec. 7045. (a) Assistance for Latin America and the
Caribbean.--
(1) Assistance.--Funds appropriated by this Act under
titles III and IV and made available for countries in Latin
America and the Caribbean shall be prioritized for countries
and programs that are--
(A) countering fentanyl and other narcotics trafficking;
(B) respecting norms of democracy, constitutional order,
and human rights;
(C) cooperating in the countering of regional and global
authoritarian threats; and
(D) demonstrating commitment and progress in offsetting
large-scale migration and human trafficking from or through
the Western Hemisphere.
(2) Strategic priorities.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
consult with the appropriate congressional committees on a
hemispheric plan to further the strategic priorities
contained in paragraph (1): Provided, That such plan shall
include baseline definitions for the requirements in
subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D).
(b) Central America.--
(1) Assistance.--Funds appropriated under titles III and IV
of this Act shall be made available for assistance for
countries in Central America, including Panama and Costa
Rica, and shall be allocated to address the unique
circumstances of each country in support of United States
security interests in the region.
(2) Limitation on Assistance to Certain Central
Governments.--
(A) Of the funds made available pursuant to paragraph (1),
50 percent of such funds that are made available for
assistance for each of the central governments of El
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, may only be obligated
after the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that such government is--
(i) cooperating with the United States to counter drug
trafficking, human trafficking and smuggling, and other
illicit transnational crime;
(ii) cooperating with the United States and other
governments in the region to facilitate the return,
repatriation, and reintegration of migrants arriving at the
southwest border of the United States who do not qualify for
asylum, consistent with international law;
(iii) taking demonstrable actions to secure national
borders and stem mass migration towards Mexico and the United
States, including positive governance related to combating
crime and violence, building economic opportunity, improving
services, and protecting human rights;
(iv) improving strategies to combat money laundering and
other global financial crimes, and counter corruption,
including investigating and prosecuting government officials,
military personnel, and police officers credibly alleged to
be corrupt;
(v) improving rule of law and taking positive steps to
counter impunity; and
(vi) improving the conditions for businesses to operate and
invest, including investment-friendly tax reform, transparent
and expeditious dispute resolution, and legal frameworks
protecting private property rights.
(B) Exceptions.--The limitation of subparagraph (A) shall
not apply to funds appropriated by this Act that are made
available for--
(i) judicial entities to combat corruption and impunity;
[[Page H4749]]
(ii) investigation of human rights abuses;
(iii) support for women's economic empowerment;
(iv) prevention of violence against women and girls;
(v) security assistance to combat transnational crime,
including narcotics trafficking;
(vi) security assistance to protect national borders; and
(vii) security assistance associated with migration
protection.
(c) Colombia.--
(1) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs that are made
available for assistance for Colombia may be made available
for--
(A) reparation payments or cash subsidies outlined in the
2016 Peace Accords; and
(B) alternative development assistance on properties where
substances deemed illegal under the Controlled Substance Act
of 1970 are grown, produced, imported, or distributed.
(2) Oversight.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act and
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'', up to $1,000,000 may be used by
the Inspector General of the United States Agency for
International Development for audits and other activities
related to compliance with the limitations in paragraph (1):
Provided, That such funds are in addition to funds otherwise
available for such purposes.
(3) Authority.--Aircraft supported by funds made available
by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs
and made available for assistance for Colombia may be used to
transport personnel and supplies involved in drug eradication
and interdiction, including security for such activities.
(d) Cuba.--
(1) Democracy Programs.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'', not less
than $30,000,000 shall be made available to promote democracy
and strengthen civil society in Cuba, including to support
political prisoners, and shall be administered by the United
States Agency for International Development, the National
Endowment for Democracy, and the Bureau for Democracy Human
Rights and Labor, Department of State: Provided, That no
funds shall be obligated for business promotion, economic
reform, entrepreneurship, or any other assistance that is not
democracy building as expressly authorized in the Cuban
Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 and
the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992.
(2) Office of Cuba Broadcasting.--Not less than 50 percent
of broadcast production of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting
shall be allocated for medium- and short-wave broadcasting.
(e) Cuban Doctors.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees listing
the countries and international organizations for which the
Secretary has credible information are directly paying the
Government of Cuba for coerced and trafficked labor of Cuban
medical professionals: Provided, That such report shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified
annex.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
under title III may be made available for assistance for the
central government of a country or international organization
that is listed in the report required by paragraph (1).
(3) Resumption of Assistance.--The Secretary may resume
assistance to the government of a country or international
organization listed in the report required by paragraph (1)
if the Secretary determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that such government or
international organization no longer pays the Government of
Cuba for coerced and trafficked labor of Cuban medical
professionals.
(f) Facilitating Irresponsible Migration.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to encourage, mobilize,
publicize, or manage mass-migration caravans towards the
United States southwest border: Provided, That not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of State shall report to the appropriate
congressional committees with analysis on the organization
and funding of mass-migration caravans in the Western
Hemisphere.
(2) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to designate
foreign nationals residing in Mexico and awaiting entry into
the United States on the Mexico side of the United States
border as of May 19, 2023 for Priority 2 processing under the
refugee resettlement priority system unless such Priority 2
designation is expressly authorized by a subsequent Act of
Congress.
(g) Haiti.--
(1) Assistance.--Funds appropriated by this Act under
titles III and IV shall be made available for assistance for
Haiti to support the basic needs of the Haitian people.
(2) Certification.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are
made available for assistance for Haiti may only be made
available for the central Government of Haiti if the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees by January 1, 2025 that credible
elections have been held in Haiti and it is in the national
interest of the United States to provide such assistance.
(3) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), funds may
be made available to support--
(A) free and fair elections;
(B) anti-gang police and administration of justice
programs, including to reduce pre-trial detention and
eliminate inhumane prison conditions;
(C) public health, food security, subsistence farmers,
water and sanitation, education, and other programs to meet
basic human needs; and
(D) disaster relief and recovery.
(4) Consultation.--Funds appropriated by this Act and prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs that are made
available for assistance for Haiti shall be subject to prior
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations: Provided,
That the requirement of this paragraph shall also apply to
any funds from such Acts that are made available for support
for an international security force in Haiti.
(5) Haitian coast guard.--The Government of Haiti shall be
eligible to purchase defense articles and services under the
Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) for the
Coast Guard.
(h) Mexico.--
(1) Of the funds appropriated under title IV in this Act
that are made available for assistance for Mexico, 15 percent
shall be withheld from obligation until the Secretary of
State certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that the Government of Mexico has taken steps to--
(A) reduce the amount of fentanyl arriving at the United
States-Mexico border; and
(B) dismantle and hold accountable transnational criminal
organizations.
(2) Prior to the initial obligation of funds made available
for assistance for Mexico under the heading ``Economic
Support Fund'', but not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the
appropriate congressional committees on how such funds are
strategically aligned to address the proliferation of
fentanyl and other opioids from Mexico to the United States.
(i) Nicaragua.--Funds appropriated by this Act that are
made available for assistance for Nicaragua shall only be
made available for democracy promotion, including to support
religious freedom.
(j) Organization of American States.--The Secretary of
State shall reduce funds appropriated by this Act under the
headings ``Development Assistance'' and ``Economic Support
Fund'' that are made available for assistance for Member
States of the Organization of American States (OAS) by an
amount equal to the amount of arrears in excess of 100
percent of 2023 assessed quotas, as of the date of enactment
of this Act, and re-apply such amount to the Coordinating
Office of the OAS General Secretariat: Provided, That the
Secretary of State may waive the requirement of this
subsection for a Member State if the Secretary determines and
reports to the Committees on Appropriations that it is
important to the national security interest of the United
States.
(k) The Caribbean.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under titles III and IV, not less than $97,500,000 shall be
made available for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative:
Provided, That funds made available above the fiscal year
2023 level shall be prioritized for countries within the
transit zones of illicit drug shipments toward the United
States, that have increased interdiction of illicit drugs,
and are most directly impacted by the crisis in Haiti.
(l) Venezuela.--
(1) Assistance.--
(A) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'', $50,000,000 shall be made
available for democracy programs for Venezuela.
(B) Of the funds made available pursuant to subparagraph
(A) that are allocated for electoral-related activities, 50
percent may only be obligated after the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that elections related to such activities--
(i) allow for the diaspora from Venezuela to participate;
and
(ii) are open for credible, unaccompanied international
observation.
(C) Funds shall be made available for assistance for
communities in countries supporting or otherwise impacted by
migrants from Venezuela: Provided, That such amounts are in
addition to funds otherwise made available for assistance for
such countries and are subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Limitations.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act may be used to negotiate the lifting of sanctions on the
purchase or trade of gold extracted from Venezuela until the
Secretary of State submits a report to the appropriate
congressional committees on human rights abuses, crimes
against humanity involving Indigenous peoples, environmental
harm, and patrimonial theft associated with state-sponsored
and illegal gold extraction from Venezuela's Orinoco Mining
Arc and in national parks and reserves in Venezuela,
including the Canaima National Park, and following
consultation with such committees.
[[Page H4750]]
(m) Withholding.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' and made available
for the Office of the Secretary, 15 percent shall be withheld
from obligation until the Secretary of State reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that negotiations have
begun with each of the governments listed in section 302 of
H.R. 2, as passed by the House of Representatives on May 5,
2023, to carry out the directives of such section: Provided,
That such report shall detail the status of such negotiations
with each government.
europe and eurasia
Sec. 7046. (a) Georgia.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under titles III and IV may be made available for assistance
for Georgia.
(b) Ukraine.--
(1) Strategy requirement.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President
Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the appropriate congressional
committees a strategy to prioritize United States national
security interests and respond to Russian aggression in
Ukraine and its impact on the region, which shall include an
explanation of how United States assistance for Ukraine and
affected countries in the region advances the objectives of
such strategy: Provided, That such strategy shall include
clear goals, benchmarks, timelines, and strategic objectives
with respect to funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs that are made available for
assistance for Ukraine: Provided further, That such
strategy shall also include details on the staffing
requirements necessary to carry out such strategy.
(2) Purpose.--
(A) Funds appropriated under titles I and II of this Act
shall be made available to support additional staff in
Ukraine and neighboring countries to conduct monitoring and
oversight of funds and ensure the safety and security of
United States personnel.
(B) Funds appropriated under titles III through VI of this
Act and made available for assistance for Ukraine shall only
be made available to support the ability of the Government of
Ukraine to--
(i) defend their sovereignty and withstand the impacts of
Russia's invasion;
(ii) combat corruption; and
(iii) promote transparency and democracy.
(3) In-person monitoring.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Economic Support Fund'', ``Assistance
for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'', ``International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'', and
``Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs'', and made available for project-based assistance
for Ukraine may not be obligated for any project or activity
that is--
(A) not regularly accessible for the purpose of conducting
effective oversight in accordance with applicable federal
statutes and regulations; and
(B) conducted in areas where project and resource
disbursement monitoring cannot be performed by United States
personnel or by vetted third party monitors unless the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development,
certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that to do so is in the national security interest
of the United States: Provided, That such report shall
include a detailed justification for waiving such
limitations.
(4) Cost matching.--
(A) At any time during fiscal years 2024 and 2025, no
United States contribution from funds appropriated under
title III of this Act to the Government of Ukraine may cause
the total amount of United States Government contributions
from funds appropriated under title III of this Act to the
Government of Ukraine to exceed 50 percent of the total
amount of non-defense funds contributed to the Government of
Ukraine from all sources.
(B) The President may waive the limitation of subparagraph
(A) if the President determines that the limitation included
therein threatens the national security interest of the
United States.
(C) The President shall notify the appropriate
congressional committees not less than 5 days before making
the determination in subparagraph (B) and shall include in
the notification--
(i) a detailed justification as to why the limitation of
subparagraph (A) threatens the national security interest of
the United States; and
(ii) an explanation as to why other donors to the
Government of Ukraine are unable to match United States
assistance.
(D) If the President makes the determination described in
subparagraph (B), the Secretary of State shall submit a
report to Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the appropriate
congressional committees every 120 days for the duration of
such determination detailing steps taken to increase other
donor contributions and an update to the justification
required by subparagraph (C).
(5) Certification.--Not later than 15 days prior to the
initial obligation of funds made available for assistance for
Ukraine under the headings ``Economic Support Fund'',
``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'',
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'',
``Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs'', and ``Foreign Military Financing Program'', the
Secretary of State, following consultation with the USAID
Administrator, shall certify and report to the appropriate
congressional committees that mechanisms for monitoring and
oversight of funds are in place and functioning across all
programs and activities to ensure accountability of such
funds to prevent waste, fraud, abuse, diversion, and
corruption, including such mechanisms as--
(A) use of third-party monitors;
(B) enhanced end-use monitoring;
(C) external and independent audits and evaluations;
(D) randomized spot checks; and
(E) regular reporting on outcomes achieved and progress
made toward stated program objectives.
(6) Continuation.--The requirements of section 1705 of the
Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023
(division M of Public Law 117-328) shall apply to funds
appropriated by this Act under title III that are made
available for assistance for Ukraine for such purposes.
(7) Notification requirement.--Notifications submitted
pursuant to the requirement of section 7015(f) of this Act
with respect to assistance for Ukraine shall include for each
program notified, as applicable--
(A) the total amount made available for such program by
account and fiscal year;
(B) any amount that remains unobligated for such program;
(C) any amount that is obligated but unexpended for such
program; and
(D) any amount committed but not yet notified for such
program.
(8) Obligation report.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter
until all such funds have been expended, the Secretary of
State and the USAID Administrator shall provide a
comprehensive report to the appropriate congressional
committees on assistance for Ukraine since February 24, 2022
that includes total amounts--
(A) made available by account and fiscal year;
(B) that remain unobligated;
(C) that is obligated but unexpended; and
(D) that is committed but not yet notified.
(9) Oversight reports.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter
until all such funds have been expended, the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the USAID Administrator, shall
report to the appropriate congressional committees on the use
and planned uses of funds provided for Ukraine, including
categories and amounts, the intended results and the results
achieved, a summary of other donor contributions, and a
description of the efforts undertaken by the Secretary and
Administrator to increase other donor contributions:
Provided, That such reports shall also include the metrics
established to measure such results and determine
effectiveness of funds provided and a detailed description of
coordination and information sharing with the Offices of the
Inspectors General, including a full accounting of any
reported allegations of waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption,
steps taken to verify such allegations, and steps taken to
address all verified allegations.
(10) Public availability.--The requirements of paragraphs
(1), (8), and (9) shall be publicly posted on the Department
of State and the USAID website not later than 5 days after
submission: Provided, That the reports shall be easily
accessible and centrally located on such websites.
(c) Territorial Integrity.--None of the funds appropriated
by this Act may be made available for assistance for a
government of an Independent State of the former Soviet Union
if such government directs any action in violation of the
territorial integrity or national sovereignty of any other
Independent State of the former Soviet Union, such as those
violations included in the Helsinki Final Act: Provided,
That except as otherwise provided in section 7047(a) of this
Act, funds may be made available without regard to the
restriction in this subsection if the President determines
that to do so is in the national security interest of the
United States: Provided further, That prior to executing the
authority contained in the previous proviso, the Secretary of
State shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations on
how such assistance supports the national security interest
of the United States.
(d) Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.--Section 907 of
the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5812 note) shall not apply
to--
(1) activities to support democracy or assistance under
title V of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5851 et seq.)
and section 1424 of the Defense Against Weapons of Mass
Destruction Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 2333) or non-proliferation
assistance;
(2) any assistance provided by the Trade and Development
Agency under section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961;
(3) any activity carried out by a member of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service while acting within his
or her official capacity;
(4) any insurance, reinsurance, guarantee, or other
assistance provided by the United States International
Development Finance Corporation as authorized by the BUILD
Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254);
(5) any financing provided under the Export-Import Bank Act
of 1945 (Public Law 79-173); or
(6) humanitarian assistance.
(e) Turkey.--None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to facilitate or
[[Page H4751]]
support the sale of defense articles or defense services to
the Turkish Presidential Protection Directorate (TPPD) under
chapter 2 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2761 et
seq.) unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to
the appropriate congressional committees that members of the
TPPD who are named in the July 17, 2017, indictment by the
Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and against whom
there are pending charges, have returned to the United States
to stand trial in connection with the offenses contained in
such indictment or have otherwise been brought to justice:
Provided, That the limitation in this paragraph shall not
apply to the use of funds made available by this Act for the
security of borders, for North Atlantic Treaty Organization
or coalition operations, or to enhance the protection of
United States officials and facilities in Turkey.
countering russian influence and aggression
Sec. 7047. (a) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated
by this Act may be made available for assistance for the
central Government of the Russian Federation.
(b) Annexation of Territory.--
(1) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act may be made available for assistance for the central
government of a country that the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
has taken affirmative steps intended to support or be
supportive of the Russian Federation annexation of Crimea or
other territory in Ukraine: Provided, That except as
otherwise provided in subsection (a), the Secretary may waive
the restriction on assistance required by this paragraph if
the Secretary determines and reports to such Committees that
to do so is in the national interest of the United States,
and includes a justification for such interest.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
may be made available for--
(A) the implementation of any action or policy that
recognizes the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over
Crimea or other territory in Ukraine;
(B) the facilitation, financing, or guarantee of United
States Government investments in Crimea or other territory in
Ukraine under the control of the Russian Federation or
Russian-backed forces, if such activity includes the
participation of Russian Government officials, or other
Russian owned or controlled financial entities; or
(C) assistance for Crimea or other territory in Ukraine
under the control of the Russian Federation or Russian-backed
forces, if such assistance includes the participation of
Russian Government officials, or other Russian owned or
controlled financial entities.
(3) International financial institutions.--The Secretary of
the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive
director of each international financial institution to use
the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any
assistance by such institution (including any loan, credit,
grant, or guarantee) for any program that violates the
sovereignty or territorial integrity of Ukraine.
(4) Duration.--The requirements and limitations of this
subsection shall cease to be in effect if the Secretary of
State determines and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that the Government of Ukraine has reestablished
sovereignty over Crimea and other territory in Ukraine under
the control of the Russian Federation or Russian-backed
forces.
(c) Occupation of the Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia.--
(1) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act may be made available for assistance for the central
government of a country that the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
has recognized the independence of, or has established
diplomatic relations with, the Russian Federation occupied
Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South
Ossetia: Provided, That the Secretary shall publish on the
Department of State website a list of any such central
governments in a timely manner: Provided further, That the
Secretary may waive the restriction on assistance required by
this paragraph if the Secretary determines and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that to do so is in the national
interest of the United States, and includes a justification
for such interest.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by this Act
may be made available to support the Russian Federation
occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia.
(3) International financial institutions.--The Secretary of
the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive
director of each international financial institution to use
the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any
assistance by such institution (including any loan, credit,
grant, or guarantee) for any program that violates the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
(d) Countering Russian Influence Fund.--Of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``Assistance for
Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'', ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'', ``International Military
Education and Training'', and ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'', not less than $300,000,000 shall be made available
to carry out the purposes of the Countering Russian Influence
Fund, as authorized by section 254 of the Countering Russian
Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-
44; 22 U.S.C. 9543) and notwithstanding the country
limitation in subsection (b) of such section, and programs to
enhance the capacity of law enforcement and security forces
in countries in Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia and
strengthen security cooperation between such countries and
the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
as appropriate: Provided, That funds made available pursuant
to this paragraph under the heading ``Foreign Military
Financing Program'' may remain available until September 30,
2025.
(e) Funding Limitation.--None of the funds made available
by this Act may be used to remove prohibitions related to
transactions involving the Central Bank of the Russian
Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian
Federation, or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian
Federation unless the Secretary of State certifies and
reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the
Government of Ukraine has entered into an agreement with the
Government of the Russian Federation resolving compensation
to Ukraine by the Russian Federation for damages resulting
from the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
united nations
Sec. 7048. (a) Transparency and Accountability.--Of the
funds appropriated by this Act that are available for
contributions to the United Nations (including the Department
of Peacekeeping Operations), international organizations, or
any United Nations agency, 15 percent may not be obligated
for such organization, department, or agency until the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that the organization, department,
or agency is--
(1) posting on a publicly available website, consistent
with privacy regulations and due process, regular financial
and programmatic audits of such organization, department, or
agency, and providing the United States Government with
necessary access to such financial and performance audits;
(2) effectively implementing and enforcing policies and
procedures which meet or exceed best practices in the United
States for the protection of whistleblowers from retaliation,
including--
(A) protection against retaliation for internal and lawful
public disclosures;
(B) legal burdens of proof;
(C) statutes of limitation for reporting retaliation;
(D) access to binding independent adjudicative bodies,
including shared cost and selection of external arbitration;
and
(E) results that eliminate the effects of proven
retaliation, including provision for the restoration of prior
employment; and
(3) effectively implementing and enforcing policies and
procedures on the appropriate use of travel funds, including
restrictions on first-class and business-class travel.
(b) Restrictions on United Nations Delegations and
Organizations.--
(1) Restrictions on united states delegations.--None of the
funds made available by this Act may be used to pay expenses
for any United States delegation to any specialized agency,
body, or commission of the United Nations if such agency,
body, or commission is chaired or presided over by a country,
the government of which the Secretary of State has
determined, for purposes of section 1754(c) of the Export
Reform Control Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)), supports
international terrorism.
(2) Restrictions on contributions.--None of the funds made
available by this Act may be used by the Secretary of State
as a contribution to any organization, agency, commission, or
program within the United Nations system if such
organization, agency, commission, or program is chaired or
presided over by a country the government of which the
Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section
620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of the
Arms Export Control Act, section 1754(c) of the Export Reform
Control Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)), or any other
provision of law, is a government that has repeatedly
provided support for acts of international terrorism.
(c) United Nations Human Rights Council.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated by this Act and prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs may be made
available in support of the United Nations Human Rights
Council unless the Secretary of State determines and reports
to the appropriate congressional committees that
participation in the Council is important to the national
security interest of the United States and that such Council
is taking significant steps to remove Israel as a permanent
agenda item and ensure integrity in the election of members
to such Council: Provided, That such report shall include a
description of the national security interest served and
provide a detailed reform agenda, including a timeline to
remove Israel as a permanent agenda item and ensure integrity
in the election of members to such Council: Provided
further, That the Secretary of State shall withhold, from
funds appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs made available under the
heading ``Contributions to International Organizations'' in
title I of such acts for a contribution to the United Nations
Regular Budget, the United States proportionate share of the
total annual
[[Page H4752]]
amount of the United Nations Regular Budget funding for the
United Nations Human Rights Council until such determination
and report is made: Provided further, That if the Secretary
is unable to make such determination and report, such amounts
may be reprogrammed for purposes other than the United
Nations Regular Budget, subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That the Secretary shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations not later than September 30, 2024, on the
resolutions considered in the United Nations Human Rights
Council during the previous 12 months, and on steps taken to
remove Israel as a permanent agenda item and to improve the
quality of membership through competitive elections.
(2) None of the funds appropriated by this Act or prior
Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs may be made
available for the United Nations International Commission of
Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East
Jerusalem, and Israel.
(d) United Nations Relief and Works Agency.--Prior to each
obligation of funds for the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency (UNRWA), the Secretary of State shall certify and
report to the appropriate congressional committees, in
writing, on whether UNRWA is--
(1) utilizing Operations Support Officers in the West Bank,
Gaza, and other fields of operation to inspect UNRWA
installations and reporting any inappropriate use;
(2) acting promptly to address any staff or beneficiary
violation of its own policies (including the policies on
neutrality and impartiality of employees) and the legal
requirements under section 301(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961;
(3) implementing procedures to maintain the neutrality of
its facilities, including implementing a no-weapons policy,
and conducting regular inspections of its installations, to
ensure they are only used for humanitarian or other
appropriate purposes;
(4) taking necessary and appropriate measures to ensure it
is operating in compliance with the conditions of section
301(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and continuing
regular reporting to the Department of State on actions it
has taken to ensure conformance with such conditions;
(5) not engaging in operations with financial institutions
or related entities in violation of relevant United States
law, and is taking steps to improve the financial
transparency of the organization;
(6) in compliance with the United Nations Board of
Auditors' biennial audit requirements and is implementing in
a timely fashion the Board's recommendations; and
(7) establishing or updating, and implementing procedures
to--
(A) prevent the use of UNRWA resources for disseminating
anti-American, anti-Israel, or anti-Semitic rhetoric; or
incitement of violence; and
(B) ensure the content of all educational materials
currently taught in UNRWA-administered schools and summer
camps is consistent with the values of human rights, dignity,
and tolerance and does not induce incitement of violence or
antisemitism.
(e) Prohibition of Payments to United Nations Members.--
None of the funds appropriated or made available pursuant to
titles III through VI of this Act for carrying out the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, may be used to pay in whole
or in part any assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member
of the United Nations or, from funds appropriated by this Act
to carry out chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, the costs for participation of another country's
delegation at international conferences held under the
auspices of multilateral or international organizations.
(f) Reports.--
(1) Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations detailing the amount of funds
available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 2024
for contributions to any organization, department, agency, or
program within the United Nations system or any international
program that are withheld from obligation or expenditure due
to any provision of law: Provided, That the Secretary shall
update such report each time additional funds are withheld by
operation of any provision of law: Provided further, That
the reprogramming of any withheld funds identified in such
report, including updates thereof, shall be subject to prior
consultation with, and the regular notification procedures
of, the Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees on United Nations
buildings and facilities, as described under this section in
the report accompanying this Act.
(g) Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Peacekeeping
Operations.--The Secretary of State shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, withhold assistance to any unit of the
security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary has
credible information that such unit has engaged in sexual
exploitation or abuse, including while serving in a United
Nations peacekeeping operation, until the Secretary
determines that the government of such country is taking
effective steps to hold the responsible members of such unit
accountable and to prevent future incidents: Provided, That
the Secretary shall promptly notify the government of each
country subject to any withholding of assistance pursuant to
this paragraph, and shall notify the appropriate
congressional committees of such withholding not later than
10 days after a determination to withhold such assistance is
made: Provided further, That the Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, assist such government in
bringing the responsible members of such unit to justice.
(h) Additional Availability.--Subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations,
funds appropriated by this Act which are returned or not made
available due to the second proviso under the heading
``Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities''
in title I of this Act or section 307(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2227(a)), shall remain
available for obligation until September 30, 2025: Provided,
That the requirement to withhold funds for programs in Burma
under section 307(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
shall not apply to funds appropriated by this Act.
(i) Procurement Restrictions.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act and prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs may be used for the procurement by any entity of the
United Nations system or any other multilateral organization
of goods or services originating in or produced by any person
in the Russian Federation, including any entity that is a
shell or front company organized to disguise or obscure
financial activity relating to such goods or services.
(j) Accountability Requirement.--Not later than 30 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, shall seek to
enter into written agreements with each international
organization that receives funding appropriated by this Act
to provide timely access to the Inspectors General of the
Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development and the Comptroller General of the
United States to such organization's financial data and other
information, including investigative records and reports of
sexual misconduct, relevant to United States contributions to
such organization, as determined by the Inspectors and
Comptroller General: Provided, That not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspectors and
Comptroller General shall consult with the appropriate
congressional committees on the implementation of such
requirements.
(k) World Health Organization.--None of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be
made available for the World Health Organization.
(l) International Conventions.--None of the funds provided
by this Act shall be made available to implement or support
any international convention, agreement, protocol, legal
instrument, or agreed outcome with legal force drafted by the
intergovernmental negotiating body of the World Health
Assembly or any other United Nations body until such
instrument has been subject to the requirements of article
II, section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution of the United
States, which requires the advice and consent of the Senate,
with two-thirds of Senators concurring.
arms trade treaty
Sec. 7049. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may
be obligated or expended to implement the Arms Trade Treaty
until the Senate approves a resolution of ratification for
the Treaty.
global internet freedom
Sec. 7050. (a) Funding.--Of the funds available for
obligation during fiscal year 2024 under the headings
``International Broadcasting Operations'', ``Economic Support
Fund'', ``Democracy Fund'', and ``Assistance for Europe,
Eurasia and Central Asia'', not less than $94,000,000 shall
be made available for programs to promote Internet freedom
globally, as authorized by section 9707 of the Department of
State Authorization Act 2022 (title XCVII of division I of
Public Law 117-263).
(b) Coordination and Spend Plans.--After consultation among
the relevant agency heads to coordinate and de-conflict
planned activities, but not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the
Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for
Global Media, in consultation with the President of the Open
Technology Fund, shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations spend plans for funds made available by this
Act for programs to promote Internet freedom globally, which
shall include a description of safeguards established by
relevant agencies to ensure that such programs are not used
for illicit purposes: Provided, That the Department of State
spend plan shall include funding for all such programs for
all relevant Department of State and United States Agency for
International Development offices and bureaus.
torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment
Sec. 7051. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to support or justify the use of torture and
other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by
any official or contract employee of the United States
Government.
aircraft transfer, coordination, and use
Sec. 7052. (a) Transfer Authority.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law or
[[Page H4753]]
regulation, aircraft procured with funds appropriated by this
Act and prior Acts making appropriations for the Department
of State, foreign operations, and related programs under the
headings ``Diplomatic Programs'', ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'', ``Andean Counterdrug
Initiative'', and ``Andean Counterdrug Programs'' may be used
for any other program and in any region.
(b) Property Disposal.--The authority provided in
subsection (a) shall apply only after the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
that the equipment is no longer required to meet programmatic
purposes in the designated country or region: Provided, That
any such transfer shall be subject to prior consultation
with, and the regular notification procedures of, the
Committees on Appropriations.
(c) Aircraft Coordination.--
(1) Authority.--The uses of aircraft purchased or leased by
the Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development with funds made available in this
Act or prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs shall be
coordinated under the authority of the appropriate Chief of
Mission: Provided, That such aircraft may be used to
transport, on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis,
Federal and non-Federal personnel supporting Department of
State and USAID programs and activities: Provided further,
That official travel for other agencies for other purposes
may be supported on a reimbursable basis, or without
reimbursement when traveling on a space available basis:
Provided further, That funds received by the Department of
State in connection with the use of aircraft owned, leased,
or chartered by the Department of State may be credited to
the Working Capital Fund of the Department and shall be
available for expenses related to the purchase, lease,
maintenance, chartering, or operation of such aircraft.
(2) Scope.--The requirement and authorities of this
subsection shall only apply to aircraft, the primary purpose
of which is the transportation of personnel.
(d) Aircraft Operations and Maintenance.--To the maximum
extent practicable, the costs of operations and maintenance,
including fuel, of aircraft funded by this Act shall be borne
by the recipient country.
parking fines and real property taxes owed by foreign governments
Sec. 7053. The terms and conditions of section 7055 of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2010 (division F of Public Law 111-117)
shall apply to this Act: Provided, That subsection (f)(2)(B)
of such section shall be applied by substituting ``September
30, 2023'' for ``September 30, 2009''.
international monetary fund
Sec. 7054. (a) Extensions.--The terms and conditions of
sections 7086(b)(1) and (2) and 7090(a) of the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2010 (division F of Public Law 111-117)
shall apply to this Act.
(b) Repayment.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
instruct the United States Executive Director of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek to ensure that any
loan will be repaid to the IMF before other private or
multilateral creditors.
extradition
Sec. 7055. (a) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated
in this Act may be used to provide assistance (other than
funds provided under the headings ``Development Assistance'',
``International Disaster Assistance'', ``Complex Crises
Fund'', ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', ``Migration and Refugee Assistance'', ``United
States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund'', and
``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related
Assistance'') for the central government of a country which
has notified the Department of State of its refusal to
extradite to the United States any individual indicted for a
criminal offense for which the maximum penalty is life
imprisonment without the possibility of parole or for killing
a law enforcement officer, as specified in a United States
extradition request.
(b) Clarification.--Subsection (a) shall only apply to the
central government of a country with which the United States
maintains diplomatic relations and with which the United
States has an extradition treaty and the government of that
country is in violation of the terms and conditions of the
treaty.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary of State may waive the
restriction in subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the
Secretary certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that
such waiver is important to the national interest of the
United States.
enterprise funds
Sec. 7056. (a) Notification.--None of the funds made
available under titles III through VI of this Act may be made
available for Enterprise Funds unless the appropriate
congressional committees are notified at least 15 days in
advance.
(b) Distribution of Assets Plan.--Prior to the distribution
of any assets resulting from any liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of an Enterprise Fund, in whole or in part, the
President shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a plan for the distribution of the assets of the
Enterprise Fund.
(c) Transition or Operating Plan.--Prior to a transition to
and operation of any private equity fund or other parallel
investment fund under an existing Enterprise Fund, the
President shall submit such transition or operating plan to
the appropriate congressional committees.
limitations related to global health assistance
Sec. 7057. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be made available for the
United Nations Population Fund.
(b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act for global health assistance may be
made available to any foreign nongovernmental organization
that promotes or performs abortion, except in cases of rape
or incest or when the life of the mother would be endangered
if the fetus were carried to term.
global health activities
Sec. 7058. (a) In General.--Funds appropriated by titles
III and IV of this Act that are made available for bilateral
assistance for child survival activities or disease programs
including activities relating to research on, and the
prevention, treatment and control of, HIV/AIDS may be made
available notwithstanding any other provision of law except
for provisions under the heading ``Global Health Programs''
and the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (117 Stat. 711; 22
U.S.C. 7601 et seq.), as amended.
(b) Limitation.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not
more than $461,000,000 may be made available for family
planning/reproductive health.
(c) Pandemics and Other Infectious Disease Outbreaks.--
(1) Global health security.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Global Health Programs'' shall be made
available for global health security programs to accelerate
the capacity of countries to prevent, detect, and respond to
infectious disease outbreaks, including by strengthening
public health capacity where there is a high risk of emerging
zoonotic infectious diseases: Provided, That not later than
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, shall
consult with the Committees on Appropriations on the planned
uses of such funds.
(2) Extraordinary measures.--If the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
that an international infectious disease outbreak is
sustained, severe, and is spreading internationally, or that
it is in the national interest to respond to a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern, not to exceed an
aggregate total of $200,000,000 of the funds appropriated by
this Act under the headings ``Global Health Programs'',
``Development Assistance'', ``International Disaster
Assistance'', ``Complex Crises Fund'', ``Economic Support
Fund'', ``Democracy Fund'', ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia
and Central Asia'', ``Migration and Refugee Assistance'', and
``Millennium Challenge Corporation'' may be made available to
combat such infectious disease or public health emergency,
and may be transferred to, and merged with, funds
appropriated under such headings for the purposes of this
paragraph.
(3) Emergency reserve fund.--Up to $50,000,000 of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Global Health
Programs'' may be made available for the Emergency Reserve
Fund established pursuant to section 7058(c)(1) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2017 (division J of Public Law 115-31):
Provided, That such funds shall be made available under the
same terms and conditions of such section.
(4) Consultation and notification.--Funds made available by
this subsection shall be subject to prior consultation with
the appropriate congressional committees and the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
(d) Limitations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, none of the funds made available by this Act may be made
available to support, directly or indirectly,--
(1) the Wuhan Institute of Virology located in the City of
Wuhan in the People's Republic of China;
(2) the EcoHealth Alliance, Inc.;
(3) any laboratory owned or controlled by the governments
of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the
Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, the Russian Federation, the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela under the regime of Nicolas Maduro Moros, or any
other country determined by the Secretary of State to be a
foreign adversary; or
(4) gain-of-function research.
(e) Childhood Cancer.--Funds appropriated under titles III
and VI of this Act may be made available for public-private
partnerships, including in coordination with relevant
multilateral organizations and research entities, to address
childhood cancer: Provided, That the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the USAID Administrator, shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the
feasibility of such partnerships: Provided further, The
Secretary and Administrator shall consult with the
appropriate congressional committees on uses of funds
[[Page H4754]]
for such partnerships prior to the initial obligation of
funds and submission of such report.
women's equality and empowerment
Sec. 7059. (a) In General.--Funds appropriated by this Act
shall be made available to promote the equality and
empowerment of women and girls in United States Government
diplomatic and development efforts by raising the status,
increasing the economic participation and opportunities for
political leadership, and protecting the rights of women and
girls worldwide.
(b) Women's Economic Empowerment.--Of the funds
appropriated under title III of this Act, $200,000,000 shall
be made available to expand economic opportunities for women
by increasing the number and capacity of women-owned
enterprises, improving property rights for women, increasing
women's access to financial services and capital, enhancing
the role of women in economic decision-making at the local,
national, and international levels, and improving women's
ability to participate in the global economy: Provided, That
prior to the initial obligation of funds, the Secretary of
State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, as applicable, shall consult with
the Committees on Appropriations on the uses of funds made
available pursuant to this subsection.
(c) Women's Leadership Program.--Of the funds appropriated
under title III of this Act, not less than $50,000,000 shall
be made available for programs specifically designed to
increase leadership opportunities for women in countries
where women and girls suffer discrimination due to law,
policy, or practice, by strengthening protections for women's
political status, expanding women's participation in
political parties and elections, and increasing women's
opportunities for leadership positions in the public and
private sectors at the local, provincial, and national
levels.
(d) Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls.--
(1) Of the funds appropriated under titles III and IV of
this Act, not less than $250,000,000 shall be made available
to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
(2) Funds appropriated under titles III and IV of this Act
that are available to train foreign police, judicial, and
military personnel, including for international peacekeeping
operations, shall address, where appropriate, prevention and
response to violence against women and girls and trafficking
in persons, and shall promote the integration of women into
the police and other security forces.
(3) Funds made available pursuant to this subsection should
include efforts to combat a variety of forms of violence
against women and girls, including child marriage, rape, and
female genital cutting and mutilation.
(e) Women, Peace, and Security.--Of the funds appropriated
by this Act under the headings ``Development Assistance'',
``Economic Support Fund'', ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia
and Central Asia'', and ``International Narcotics Control and
Law Enforcement'', $150,000,000 should be made available to
support a multi-year strategy to expand, and improve
coordination of, United States Government efforts to empower
women as equal partners in conflict prevention, peace
building, transitional processes, and reconstruction efforts
in countries affected by conflict or in political transition,
and to ensure the equal provision of relief and recovery
assistance to women and girls.
(f) Prohibition.--None of the funds appropriated by this
Act may be made available for the Gender Equity and Equality
Action Fund.
sector allocations
Sec. 7060. (a) Basic Education and Higher Education.--
(1) Basic education.--
(A) Of the funds appropriated under title III of this Act,
not less than $970,000,000 shall be made available for the
Nita M. Lowey Basic Education Fund: Provided, That such
funds shall also be used for secondary education activities:
Provided further, That of the funds made available by this
paragraph, $150,000,000 should be available for the education
of girls in areas of conflict.
(B) Of the funds appropriated under title III of this Act
for assistance for basic education programs, not less than
$160,000,000 shall be made available for contributions to
multilateral partnerships that support education.
(2) Higher education.--Of the funds appropriated by title
III of this Act, not less than $285,000,000 shall be made
available for assistance for higher education: Provided,
That of such amount, not less than $35,000,000 shall be made
available for new and ongoing partnerships between higher
education institutions in the United States and developing
countries focused on building the capacity of higher
education institutions and systems in developing countries:
Provided further, That of such amount and in addition to the
previous proviso, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made
available for higher education programs pursuant to section
7060(a)(3) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021 (division K of
Public Law 116-260).
(b) Conservation Programs.--
(1) Biodiversity.--Of the funds appropriated under title
III of this Act, not less than $385,000,000 shall be made
available for biodiversity conservation programs.
(2) Wildlife poaching and trafficking.--
(A) Of the funds appropriated under titles III and IV of
this Act, not less than $125,000,000 shall be made available
to combat the transnational threat of wildlife poaching and
trafficking.
(B) None of the funds appropriated under title IV of this
Act may be made available for training or other assistance
for any military unit or personnel that the Secretary of
State determines has been credibly alleged to have
participated in wildlife poaching or trafficking, unless the
Secretary reports to the appropriate congressional committees
that to do so is in the national security interest of the
United States.
(c) Development Programs.--Of the funds appropriated by
this Act under the heading ``Development Assistance'', not
less than $18,500,000 shall be made available for United
States Agency for International Development cooperative
development programs and not less than $31,500,000 shall be
made available for the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad
program.
(d) Disability Programs.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the heading ``Development Assistance'' shall be made
available for programs and activities administered by USAID
to address the needs of, and protect and promote the rights
of, people with disabilities in developing countries.
(e) Food Security and Agricultural Development.--Of the
funds appropriated by title III of this Act, not less than
$1,010,600,000 shall be made available for food security and
agricultural development programs to carry out the purposes
of the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-195),
as amended, including for the Feed the Future Innovation
Labs: Provided, That funds may be made available for a
contribution as authorized by section 3202 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246), as
amended by section 3310 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (Public Law 115-334).
(f) Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises.--Of the
funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $265,000,000
shall be made available to support the development of, and
access to financing for, micro, small, and medium-sized
enterprises that benefit the poor, especially women.
(g) Water and Sanitation.--Of the funds appropriated by
this Act, not less than $475,000,000 shall be made available
for water supply and sanitation projects pursuant to section
136 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, of which not less
than $237,000,000 shall be for programs in sub-Saharan
Africa.
(h) Deviation.--Unless otherwise provided for by this Act,
the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator, as
applicable, may deviate below the minimum funding
requirements designated in sections 7059 and 7060 of this Act
by up to 10 percent, notwithstanding such designation:
Provided, That such deviations shall only be exercised to
address unforeseen or exigent circumstances, including a
change in country context: Provided further, That concurrent
with the submission of the report required by section 653(a)
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations in writing any
proposed deviations utilizing such authority that are planned
at the time of submission of such report: Provided further,
That any deviations proposed subsequent to the submission of
such report shall be subject to prior consultation with such
Committees: Provided further, That not later than November
1, 2025, the Secretary shall submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations on the use of the authority of
this subsection.
environment programs
Sec. 7061. (a) Green Climate Fund.--None of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be
made available as a contribution, grant, or any other payment
to the Green Climate Fund.
(b) Clean Technology Fund.--None of the funds appropriated
or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available
as a contribution, grant, or any other payment to the Clean
Technology Fund.
(c) Climate Damages.--None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available by this Act may be made available to
pay compensation to any country, organization, or individual
for loss and damages attributed to climate change.
(d) Attribution.--Funds appropriated by this Act and made
available for the sectors and programs in sections 7032,
7036, 7059, and 7060 shall not be attributed to, or counted
toward targets for, climate change programs.
(e) Transit Pipelines.--None of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available by this Act may be used by the
Secretary of State to impede the uninterrupted transmission
of hydrocarbons by pipeline through the territory of one
Party not originating in the territory of that Party, for
delivery to the territory of the other Party as ratified by
The Agreement between the Government of the United States of
America and the Government of Canada concerning Transit
Pipelines, signed at Washington on January 28, 1977.
(f) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study on funds appropriated in prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs from fiscal years 2020
through 2023 made available for climate change programs and
whether such funds have had a direct result on lowering
global temperatures.
budget documents
Sec. 7062. (a) Operating Plans.--Not later than 45 days
after the date of enactment of
[[Page H4755]]
this Act, each department, agency, or organization funded in
titles I, II, and VI of this Act, and the Department of the
Treasury and Independent Agencies funded in title III of this
Act, including the Inter-American Foundation and the United
States African Development Foundation, shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations an operating plan for funds
appropriated to such department, agency, or organization in
such titles of this Act, or funds otherwise available for
obligation in fiscal year 2024, that provides details of the
uses of such funds at the program, project, and activity
level: Provided, That such plans shall include, as
applicable, a comparison between the congressional budget
justification funding levels, the most recent congressional
directives or approved funding levels, and the funding levels
proposed by the department or agency; and a clear, concise,
and informative description/justification: Provided further,
That operating plans that include changes in levels of
funding for programs, projects, and activities specified in
the congressional budget justification, in this Act, or
amounts specifically designated in the respective tables
included in the report accompanying this Act, as applicable,
shall be subject to the notification and reprogramming
requirements of section 7015 of this Act.
(b) Spend Plans.--
(1) Prior to the initial obligation of funds, the Secretary
of State or Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, as appropriate, shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations a spend plan for funds made
available by this Act for--
(A) assistance for countries in Central America and the
Caribbean, Iraq, Pacific Islands Countries, Pakistan, and
Tunisia;
(B) assistance for the Africa Regional Counterterrorism
program, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, Central America
Regional Security Initiative, Global Peace Operations
Initiative, Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Countering PRC
Influence Fund, Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment, Power Africa, and Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership;
(C) assistance made available pursuant to the following
sections in this Act: section 7032; section 7036; section
7047(d) (on a country-by-country basis); section 7059; and
subsections (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of section 7060;
(D) Funds provided under the heading ``International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'' for International
Organized Crime and for Cybercrime and Intellectual Property
Rights: Provided, That the spend plans shall include
bilateral and global programs funded under such heading along
with a brief description of the activities planned for each
country; and
(E) implementation of the Global Fragility Act of 2019.
(2) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a detailed spend plan for funds
made available by this Act under the heading ``Department of
the Treasury, International Affairs Technical Assistance'' in
title III.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), up to 10 percent of the
funds contained in a spend plan required by this subsection
may be obligated prior to the submission of such spend plan
if the Secretary of State, the USAID Administrator, or the
Secretary of the Treasury, as applicable, determines that the
obligation of such funds is necessary to avoid significant
programmatic disruption: Provided, That not less than seven
days prior to such obligation, the Secretary or
Administrator, as appropriate, shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on the justification for such
obligation and the proposed uses of such funds.
(c) Clarification.--The spend plans referenced in
subsection (b) shall not be considered as meeting the
notification requirements in this Act or under section 634A
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(d) Congressional Budget Justification.--The congressional
budget justification for Department of State operations and
foreign operations shall be provided to the Committees on
Appropriations concurrent with the date of submission of the
President's budget for fiscal year 2025: Provided, That the
appendices for such justification shall be provided to the
Committees on Appropriations not later than 10 calendar days
thereafter.
reorganization
Sec. 7063. (a) Prior Consultation and Notification.--Funds
appropriated by this Act, prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, or any other Act may not be used to implement a
reorganization, redesign, or other plan described in
subsection (b) by the Department of State, the United States
Agency for International Development, or any other Federal
department, agency, or organization funded by this Act
without prior consultation by the head of such department,
agency, or organization with the appropriate congressional
committees: Provided, That such funds shall be subject to
the regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations: Provided further, That any such notification
submitted to such Committees shall include a detailed
justification for any proposed action: Provided further,
That congressional notifications submitted in prior fiscal
years pursuant to similar provisions of law in prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs may be deemed to meet the
notification requirements of this section.
(b) Description of Activities.--Pursuant to subsection (a),
a reorganization, redesign, or other plan shall include any
action to--
(1) expand, eliminate, consolidate, or downsize covered
departments, agencies, or organizations, including bureaus
and offices within or between such departments, agencies, or
organizations, including the transfer to other agencies of
the authorities and responsibilities of such bureaus and
offices;
(2) expand, eliminate, consolidate, or downsize the United
States official presence overseas, including at bilateral,
regional, and multilateral diplomatic facilities and other
platforms; or
(3) expand or reduce the size of the permanent Civil
Service, Foreign Service, eligible family member, and locally
employed staff workforce of the Department of State and USAID
from the staffing levels previously justified to the
Committees on Appropriations for fiscal year 2024.
department of state management
Sec. 7064. (a) Working Capital Fund.--Funds appropriated by
this Act or otherwise made available to the Department of
State for payments to the Working Capital Fund that are made
available for new service centers, shall be subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(b) Certification.--
(1) Compliance.--Not later than 45 days after the initial
obligation of funds appropriated under titles III and IV of
this Act that are made available to a Department of State
bureau or office with responsibility for the management and
oversight of such funds, the Secretary of State shall certify
and report to the Committees on Appropriations, on an
individual bureau or office basis, that such bureau or office
is in compliance with Department and Federal financial and
grants management policies, procedures, and regulations, as
applicable.
(2) Considerations.--When making a certification required
by paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consider the
capacity of a bureau or office to--
(A) account for the obligated funds at the country and
program level, as appropriate;
(B) identify risks and develop mitigation and monitoring
plans;
(C) establish performance measures and indicators;
(D) review activities and performance; and
(E) assess final results and reconcile finances.
(3) Plan.--If the Secretary of State is unable to make a
certification required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit a plan and timeline detailing the steps to be taken to
bring such bureau or office into compliance.
(c) Information Technology Platform.--None of the funds
appropriated in title I of this Act under the heading
``Administration of Foreign Affairs'' may be made available
for a new major information technology investment without the
concurrence of the Chief Information Officer, Department of
State.
(d) Other Matters.--
(1) In addition to amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act under the heading ``Diplomatic
Programs''--
(A) as authorized by section 810 of the United States
Information and Educational Exchange Act, not to exceed
$5,000,000, to remain available until expended, may be
credited to this appropriation from fees or other payments
received from English teaching, library, motion pictures, and
publication programs and from fees from educational advising
and counseling and exchange visitor programs; and
(B) not to exceed $15,000, which shall be derived from
reimbursements, surcharges, and fees for use of Blair House
facilities.
(2) Funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this
Act under the heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' are available
for acquisition by exchange or purchase of passenger motor
vehicles as authorized by law and, pursuant to section
1108(g) of title 31, United States Code, for the field
examination of programs and activities in the United States
funded from any account contained in title I of this Act.
(3) Of the funds appropriated under the heading
``Diplomatic Programs'' in this Act and prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, $2,000,000 shall be made
available to carry out section 9803 of the Department of
State Authorization Act of 2022 (division I of Public Law
117-263).
(4) Consistent with section 204 of the Admiral James W.
Nance and Meg Donovan Foreign Relations Authorization Act,
Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 (22 U.S.C. 2452b), up to
$25,000,000 of the amounts made available under the heading
``Diplomatic Programs'' in this Act may be obligated and
expended for United States participation in international
fairs and expositions abroad, including for construction and
operation of a United States pavilion at Expo 2025.
(5) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
``Diplomatic Programs'', not less than $500,000 shall be made
available for additional personnel for the Bureau of
Legislative Affairs, Department of State.
(e) Limitations.--
(1) None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' may be made available to
carry out
[[Page H4756]]
the functions of the Global Engagement Center established
pursuant to section 1287 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 2656 note)
unless prior to the initial obligation of such funds--
(A) the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that--
(i) no funds will be used for purposes other than
countering foreign propaganda and disinformation by foreign
state and non-state actors that threaten United States
national security pursuant to section 1287(i) of such Act;
(ii) programs and activities will not be designed to
influence public opinion in the United States or in a manner
that abridges the freedom of speech or of the press of United
States persons enshrined in the First Amendment of the United
States Constitution;
(iii) the development of tactics, techniques, and
procedures to expose and refute foreign propaganda and
disinformation and proactively support the promotion of
credible, fact-based narratives and policies will be directed
solely on audiences outside the United States; and
(iv) the Department of State has resolved with the Office
of Inspector General, Department of State (OIG) and the OIG
has closed each of the 18 recommendations detailed in the
report ``Inspection of the Global Engagement Center'' (ISP I-
22-15) dated September 2022; and
(B) the Secretary submits to the Committees on
Appropriations a spend plan for the activities of the Center
in fiscal year 2024: Provided, That such plan shall detail
amounts planned for each function authorized in section
1287(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2017 (22 U.S.C. 2656 note): Provided further, That such
plan shall also include a list of each entity that received
funding in the previous fiscal year.
(2) None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the
heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' may be reprogrammed for
support of an international conference unless such conference
has been previously justified in a congressional budget
justification: Provided, That any such reprogramming shall
be subject to prior consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
(3)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of
the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under the
heading ``Diplomatic Programs'' in this Act and prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs may be made available for
support of a Special Envoy, Special Representative, Special
Coordinator, Special Negotiator, Envoy, Representative,
Coordinator, Special Advisor, or other position performing a
similar function unless such Special Envoy, Special
Representative, Special Coordinator, Special Negotiator,
Envoy, Representative, Coordinator, Special Advisor, or other
position performing a similar function--
(i) is expressly authorized by statute; or
(ii) has affirmatively received the advice and consent of
the Senate.
(B) The limitations of this paragraph shall be construed to
include the applicable office personnel and bureau managed
funds of such office.
(4) Not later than 15 days prior to entering into a
bilateral or multilateral agreement authorized by section
303(a) of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation
Act (19 U.S.C. 2602) or the extension of an agreement
pursuant to section 303(e) of such Act, the Secretary of
State shall certify and report to the Committees on
Appropriations that any import restrictions authorized by
such agreement comply with the provisions of sections 302 and
305 of such Act.
united states agency for international development management
Sec. 7065. (a) Authority.--Up to $170,000,000 of the funds
made available in title III of this Act pursuant to or to
carry out the provisions of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, including funds appropriated under the heading
``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia'', may be
used by the United States Agency for International
Development to hire and employ individuals in the United
States and overseas on a limited appointment basis pursuant
to the authority of sections 308 and 309 of the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3948 and 3949).
(b) Restriction.--The authority to hire individuals
contained in subsection (a) shall expire on September 30,
2025.
(c) Program Account Charged.--The account charged for the
cost of an individual hired and employed under the authority
of this section shall be the account to which the
responsibilities of such individual primarily relate:
Provided, That funds made available to carry out this section
may be transferred to, and merged with, funds appropriated by
this Act in title II under the heading ``Operating
Expenses''.
(d) Foreign Service Limited Extensions.--Individuals hired
and employed by USAID, with funds made available in this Act
or prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs, pursuant to
the authority of section 309 of the Foreign Service Act of
1980 (22 U.S.C. 3949), may be extended for a period of up to
4 years notwithstanding the limitation set forth in such
section.
(e) Disaster Surge Capacity.--Funds appropriated under
title III of this Act to carry out part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, including funds appropriated under
the heading ``Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central
Asia'', may be used, in addition to funds otherwise available
for such purposes, for the cost (including the support costs)
of individuals detailed to or employed by USAID whose primary
responsibility is to carry out programs in response to
natural disasters, or man-made disasters subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations.
(f) Personal Services Contractors.--Funds appropriated by
this Act to carry out chapter 1 of part I, chapter 4 of part
II, and section 667 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
and title II of the Food for Peace Act (Public Law 83-480; 7
U.S.C. 1721 et seq.), may be used by USAID to employ up to 40
personal services contractors in the United States,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purpose
of providing direct, interim support for new or expanded
overseas programs and activities managed by the agency until
permanent direct hire personnel are hired and trained:
Provided, That not more than 15 of such contractors shall be
assigned to any bureau or office: Provided further, That
such funds appropriated to carry out title II of the Food for
Peace Act (Public Law 83-480; 7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.), may be
made available only for personal services contractors
assigned to the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
(g) Small Business.--In entering into multiple award
indefinite-quantity contracts with funds appropriated by this
Act, USAID may provide an exception to the fair opportunity
process for placing task orders under such contracts when the
order is placed with any category of small or small
disadvantaged business.
(h) Crisis Operations Staffing.--Up to $86,000,000 of the
funds made available in title III of this Act pursuant to, or
to carry out the provisions of, part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 and section 509(b) of the Global
Fragility Act of 2019 (title V of division J of Public Law
116-94) may be made available for the United States Agency
for International Development to appoint and employ personnel
in the excepted service to prevent or respond to foreign
crises and contexts with growing instability: Provided, That
functions carried out by personnel hired under the authority
of this subsection shall be related to the purpose for which
the funds were appropriated: Provided further, That such
funds are in addition to funds otherwise available for such
purposes and may remain attributed to any minimum funding
requirement for which they were originally made available:
Provided further, That the USAID Administrator shall
coordinate with the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management and consult with the appropriate congressional
committees on implementation of this provision.
stabilization and development in regions impacted by extremism and
conflict
Sec. 7066. (a) Prevention and Stabilization Fund.--Funds
appropriated by this Act under the headings ``Economic
Support Fund'', ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'', ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining
and Related Programs'', ``Peacekeeping Operations'', and
``Foreign Military Financing Program'' may be made available
for the Prevention and Stabilization Fund for the purposes
enumerated in section 509(a) of the Global Fragility Act of
2019 (title V of division J of Public Law 116-94).
(b) Transitional Justice.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Economic Support Fund'' and
``International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement'' may
be made available for programs to promote accountability for
genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, which
shall be in addition to any other funds made available by
this Act for such purposes: Provided, That such programs
shall include components to develop local investigative and
judicial skills, and to collect and preserve evidence and
maintain the chain of custody of evidence, including for use
in prosecutions, and may include the establishment of, and
assistance for, transitional justice mechanisms: Provided
further, That such funds shall be administered by the
Ambassador-at-Large for the Office of Global Criminal
Justice, Department of State, and shall be subject to prior
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations: Provided
further, That funds made available by this paragraph shall be
made available on an open and competitive basis.
debt-for-development
Sec. 7067. In order to enhance the continued participation
of nongovernmental organizations in debt-for-development and
debt-for-nature exchanges, a nongovernmental organization
which is a grantee or contractor of the United States Agency
for International Development may place in interest bearing
accounts local currencies which accrue to that organization
as a result of economic assistance provided under title III
of this Act and, subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations, any interest
earned on such investment shall be used for the purpose for
which the assistance was provided to that organization.
extension of consular fees and related authorities
Sec. 7068. (a) Section 1(b)(1) of the Passport Act of June
4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(b)(1)) shall be applied through fiscal
year 2024 by substituting ``the costs of providing consular
services'' for ``such costs''.
[[Page H4757]]
(b) Section 21009 of the Emergency Appropriations for
Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations (division B
of Public Law 116-136; 134 Stat. 592) shall be applied during
fiscal year 2024 by substituting ``2020 through 2024'' for
``2020 and 2021''.
(c) Discretionary amounts made available to the Department
of State under the heading ``Administration of Foreign
Affairs'' of this Act, and discretionary unobligated balances
under such heading from prior Acts making appropriations for
the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, may be transferred to the Consular and Border
Security Programs account if the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
that to do so is necessary to sustain consular operations,
following consultation with such Committees: Provided, That
such transfer authority is in addition to any transfer
authority otherwise available in this Act and under any other
provision of law: Provided further, That no amounts may be
transferred from amounts designated as an emergency
requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget
or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.
(d) In addition to the uses permitted pursuant to section
286(v)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1356(v)(2)(A)), for fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of State
may also use fees deposited into the Fraud Prevention and
Detection Account for the costs of providing consular
services.
(e) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were
previously designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the
budget are designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to legislation establishing fiscal year
2024 budget enforcement in the House of Representatives.
promotion of united states economic interests
Sec. 7069. (a) Diplomatic Engagement.--Pursuant to section
704 of the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy
Act of 2019 (title VII of division J of Public Law 116-94)
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce, shall prioritize the allocation of funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Diplomatic
Programs'' for support of Chief of Mission diplomatic
engagement to foster commercial relations and safeguard
United States economic and business interests in the country
in which each Chief of Mission serves, including activities
and initiatives to create and maintain an enabling
environment, promote and protect such interests, and resolve
commercial disputes: Provided, That each Mission Resource
Request and Bureau Resource Request shall include amounts
required to prioritize the activities described in this
subsection.
(b) Training.--In carrying out section 705 of the
Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019
(title VII of division J of Public Law 116-94) the Secretary
of State shall annually assess training needs across the
economic and commercial diplomacy issue areas and ensure
after a review of course offerings, course attendance
records, and course evaluation results, that current
offerings meet training needs.
(c) Assistance.--The Secretary of State should direct each
Chief of Mission to consider how best to advance and support
commercial relations and the safeguarding of United States
business interests in the development and execution of the
applicable Integrated Country Strategy and the Mission
Resource Request for each country receiving bilateral
assistance from funds appropriated by this Act.
additional limitations on operations and assistance
Sec. 7070. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs may be made available for
drag queen workshops, performances, or documentaries.
(b) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to carry out any program,
project, or activity that teaches or trains any idea or
concept that condones an individual being discriminated
against or receiving adverse or beneficial treatment based on
race or sex, that condones an individual feeling discomfort,
guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress
on account of that individual's race or sex, as well as any
idea or concept that regards one race as inherently superior
to another race, the United States or its institutions as
being systemically racist or sexist, an individual as being
inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive by virtue of that
individual's race or sex, an individual's moral character as
being necessarily determined by race or sex, an individual as
bearing responsibility for actions committed in the past by
other members of the same race or sex, or meritocracy being
racist, sexist, or having been created by a particular race
to oppress another race.
(c) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to implement,
administer, apply, enforce, or carry out Executive Order
13985 of January 20, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 7009), Executive
Order 14035 of June 25, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 34593), or
Executive Order 14091 of February 16, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg.
10825).
(d) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be obligated or expended to--
(1) classify or facilitate the classification of any
communications by a United States person as misinformation,
disinformation, or malinformation; or
(2) partner with or fund nonprofit or other organizations
that pressure or recommend private companies to censor,
filter, or otherwise suppress lawful and constitutionally
protected speech of United States persons, including
recommending the censoring or removal of content on social
media platforms.
(e) None of the funds made available by this Act or any
other Act shall be used or transferred to another Federal
Agency, board, or commission to fund any domestic or
international non-governmental organization or any other
program, organization, or association coordinated or operated
by such non-governmental organization that either offers
counseling regarding sex change surgeries, promotes sex
change surgeries for any reason as an option, conducts or
subsidizes sex change surgeries, promotes the use of
medications or other substances to halt the onset of puberty
or sexual development of minors, or otherwise promotes
transgenderism.
(f) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be obligated or expended to fly or
display a flag over a facility of a United States Federal
department or agency funded by this Act other than the--
(1) United States flag;
(2) Foreign Service flag pursuant to 2 FAM 154.2-1;
(3) POW/MIA flag;
(4) flag of a State, insular area, or the District of
Columbia at domestic locations;
(5) flag of an Indian Tribal government; or
(6) sovereign flag of other countries.
presidential permit reform
Sec. 7071. Funds appropriated by this Act shall be made
available to carry out the responsibilities delegated to the
Secretary of State pursuant to Executive Order 13867 (April
10, 2019) or any successor Executive Order: Provided, That
the Secretary shall carry out such responsibilities within
the 60 day time period set forth in section 2 of such
Executive Order: Provided further, That Agency heads for whom
the Secretary refers such applications for pertinent
information or advise pursuant to such Executive Order should
respond not later than the 30 days: Provided further, That
Executive Order 13867, or any successor Executive Order,
should not be construed to require the application of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 prior to the
Secretary providing advice to the President of the United
States concerning any new or amended Presidential permit
application.
rescissions
(including rescissions of funds)
Sec. 7072. (a) Embassy Security, Construction, and
Maintenance.--Of the unobligated balances from amounts
available under the heading ``Embassy Security, Construction,
and Maintenance'' from prior Acts making appropriations for
the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, $174,000,000 are rescinded.
(b) Development Assistance.--Of the unobligated and
unexpended balances from amounts available under the heading
``Development Assistance'' from prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, $709,500,000 are rescinded.
(c) Economic Support Fund.--Of the unobligated and
unexpended balances from amounts available under the heading
``Economic Support Fund'' from prior Acts making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, $808,600,000 are rescinded.
(d) Peace Corps.--Of the unobligated balances from amounts
available under the heading ``Peace Corps'' from prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs, $18,000,000 are rescinded.
(e) International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.--
Of the unobligated, and unexpended balances from amounts
available under the heading ``International Narcotics Control
and Law Enforcement'' from prior Acts making appropriations
for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related
programs, $40,000,000 are rescinded.
(f) Export-Import Bank of the United States.--Of the
unobligated balances available under the heading ``Export and
Investment Assistance, Export-Import Bank of the United
States, Subsidy Appropriation'' for tied-aid grants from
prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State,
foreign operations, and related programs, $59,000,000 are
rescinded.
(g) Section 60103.--Of the unobligated balances of amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available for activities of
the Environmental Protection Agency under section 60103 of
Public Law 117-169 (commonly known as the ``Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022''), $11,135,000,000 are hereby
permanently rescinded.
(h) Restriction.--No amounts may be rescinded from amounts
that were previously designated by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on
the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
TITLE VIII--COUNTERING THE MALIGN INFLUENCE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF
CHINA
BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
economic support fund
For an additional amount for ``Economic Support Fund'',
$1,000,000,000, to remain
[[Page H4758]]
available until expended for programs to advance United
States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and
counter the malign influence of the People's Republic of
China: Provided, That, if expressly authorized and
established in the Treasury of the United States, funds made
available under this title may be transferred to a ``Compact
Assistance Fund''.
TITLE IX--ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISION
spending reduction account
Sec. 9001. $0 (increased by $1,000,000,000).
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of State, Foreign
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024''.
The Acting CHAIR. All points of order against provisions in the bill,
as amended, are waived.
No further amendment to the bill, as amended, shall be in order
except those printed in part D of House Report 118-216, amendments en
bloc described in section 9 of House Resolution 723, and pro forma
amendments described in section 13 of that resolution.
Each further amendment printed in part D of the report shall be
considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only
by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read,
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject
to amendment except as provided by section 13 of House Resolution 723,
and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on
Appropriations or her designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting
of amendments printed in the report not earlier disposed of. Amendments
en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member
of the Committee on Appropriations or their designees, shall not be
subject to amendment, except as provided by section 13 of House
Resolution 723, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of
the question.
During consideration of the bill for amendment, the chair and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective
designees may offer up to 10 pro forma amendments each at any point for
the purpose of debate.
Amendments En Bloc Offered by Mr. Diaz-Balart
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 723, I offer
amendments en bloc.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
Amendments en bloc consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12,
19, 21, 24, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37 and 52 printed in part D of House Report
118-216, offered by Mr. Diaz-Balart of Florida:
Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mrs. Boebert of Colorado
Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $3,000,000)''.
Page 44, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,000,000)''.
Page 136, line 25, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mrs. Miller of West Virginia
Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,000,000)(increased by $1,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Gottheimer of New Jersey
Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Grothman of Wisconsin
Page 3, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mrs. Miller of West Virginia
Page 3, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $500,000) (increased by $500,000)''.
Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Molinaro of New York
Page 3, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000) (reduced by $5,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Grothman of Wisconsin
Page 24, line 8, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 19 Offered by Ms. Titus of Nevada
Page 34, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $45,000,000)(reduced by $45,000,000)''.
amendment no. 21 offered by mr. connolly of virginia
Page 36, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $10,000,000) (increased by $10,000,000)''.
amendment no. 24 offered by mr. ogles of tennessee
Page 38, line 2, after the second dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,700,000)''.
amendment no. 32 offered by mr. moskowitz of florida
Page 65, line 7, strike ``and residences'' and insert ``,
residences, and places of worship''.
amendment no. 33 offered by mr. mast of florida
Page 163, beginning line 10, strike ``; and'' and insert a
semicolon.
Page 163, after line 10, insert the following new
subparagraph and redesignate the subsequent subparagraph
accordingly:
(B) exercises full territorial jurisdiction over the Gaza
strip; and
Amendment No. 34 Offered by Mr. Ogles of Tennessee
Page 204, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $10,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 35 Offered by Mr. Molinaro of New York
Page 266, line 5, after the dollar amount insert
``(increased by $9,000,000) (reduced by $9,000,000)''.
Amendment No. 37 Offered by Mr. Tiffany of Wisconsin
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. 9002. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used in contravention of section 221 of the
Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-416; 108 Stat. 4321; 8 U.S.C. 1101 note).
Amendment No. 52 Offered by Mr. Ogles of Tennessee
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to create,
procure, or display any map that inaccurately depicts the
occupied country of Tibet as part of the People's Republic of
China.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Lee) each will control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this bipartisan en
bloc amendment, which represents amendments with support from both
sides of the aisle.
The amendment includes 15 noncontroversial amendments that advance
the priorities of both sides, including support for Taiwan and
addressing the passport processing backlog, which is happening
everywhere in the country.
Mr. Chair, I would respectfully urge my colleagues to support this
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this en
bloc. There is a list of bipartisan amendments in this to address
various Members' priorities. I appreciate the collaborative way in
which we have agreed on this package.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, we spoke on the amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, American frontier investors
can be a powerful partner of the State Department and emissaries of
American values in developing regions of the world. In these critical
regions, they provide ideal alternative sources of capital over China
or other authoritarian regimes. For our friends and allies with
developing or unstable economies that China or other adversaries want
to undermine, American investment is hard power, creating
infrastructure, factories, boosting crop yields, industrial output, and
jobs. In countries where America is locked in competition for
influence, American investment in a gas plant, pipeline, or telecom
network can sway the strategic calculation of the home government.
We rightly hold our investors to a high standard, through the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and other laws, but that higher standard makes it
harder for them to compete against Chinese or Russian investors that
are heavily and unfairly subsidized. In exchange, when they come under
attack by corrupt home governments, we owe them the support of our
diplomats and the full weight of the U.S. Federal Government.
Diplomatic support can persuade corrupt governments to change course
and to play by the rules, but too often, the State Department takes a
hands-off approach.
The hands-off approach can reach absurd heights. Even in cases where
a kleptocratic government blatantly expropriated American investments,
these investors took that government to arbitration and won, and then
took that award to our United States Federal
[[Page H4759]]
Courts to get recognition of the award under the Federal Arbitration
Act, our State Department has refused to help Americans right the wrong
and collect the award.
This has to stop. We are in competition with corrupt dictators all
across the globe. American investors need to know that American
diplomats have their back.
I ask for your support of the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered
by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
The en bloc amendments were agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 7 will not
be offered.
Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Crane
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8
printed part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer amendment No. 8 as the designee
of Mr. Biggs of Arizona.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 18, line 25, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $38,634,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $38,634,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Crane) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in support of this
amendment that eliminates nearly $39 million in funding for the United
States Institute of Peace.
This institute funds programs located in several adversarial nations,
including China, Pakistan, and Russia.
Their mission is to combat violence and promote peace through
education. However, the institute covers issue areas such as gender
equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate policy--hardly topics related to
peace between nations.
The United States Institute of Peace claims to prioritize U.S.
national security while using U.S. funds to counsel and mitigate feuds
with known enemies of the United States.
The expenses of this institute, whose mission would be better
accomplished by nonprofits, charities, and religious groups, is an
undue burden on the American taxpayer.
Mr. Chair, I urge the passage of this amendment to prevent this
unnecessary funding, and work toward getting our fiscal house in order.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, it is really hard to believe that
you all want to eliminate funding for the Institute of Peace, P-E-A-C-
E. The Institute of Peace is one of the best tools the United States
has to bring people together to prevent wars--government officials,
civil society practitioners, and defense experts--to really to
creatively solve our world's thorniest issues.
Congress created the United States Institute of Peace for this
purpose in 1984. USIP applies practical solutions in conflict zones,
and provides analysis, education, and resources to those working for
peace. Peace is patriotic, my Republican friends.
USIP has specialized teams of mediators, trainers, and others in some
of the world's most dangerous places and works to equip communities
with the skills necessary to prevent or resolve their own violent
conflicts before they threaten the United States.
Mr. Chair, I hope they understand that peace is the only option that
we have to war. USIP works on the ground with local partners on the
root causes of conflict that all too frequently result in America's
military gains or diplomatic and development investments going to
waste.
In a world that becomes more dangerous and complex every day, we need
the services and the creative thinking of the United States Institute
of Peace.
It is hard to believe the Republicans oppose peace. I guess that says
that war is the option for settling conflicts, and I think the American
people are war weary and support our efforts for peace. It is really a
shame and a disgrace that you are uncovering this issue in terms of
your opposition to peace.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded to direct their comments at
the Chair.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will
be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 9 will not
be offered.
Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Crane
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer amendment No. 10 as the
designee of Mr. Biggs of Arizona.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 22, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $2,908,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,908,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Crane) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I rise this morning in support of this
amendment, which eliminates nearly $3 million in funding for the
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, salaries and
expenses.
This funding goes towards functions such as gender equality, and
there has even been a Gender Action Plan, a Gender Unit in the
Secretariat appointed a special representative to the Chairperson-in-
Office on gender issues.
{time} 1015
The work of this Commission would probably be better done by an
independent think tank than by a congressionally funded Commission.
With the current debt of the U.S. being $33 trillion, we must look for
ways to cut unnecessary spending. The work of this Commission is not
unique to it and similar consolation, if necessary, could be found in
third-party sources that do not affect the already distressed national
debt.
Mr. Chair, I urge passage of my amendment to prevent this unnecessary
funding and work toward getting our fiscal house in order. I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the OSCE is the world's largest
regional security organization and has been critical in addressing the
violent aggression of Russia.
The OSCE is actively engaged in conflict prevention, conventional
arms control, peacekeeping, promoting good governance and human rights,
rule-of-law programming, also border security measures,
counternarcotics work, efforts to combat organized crime,
anticorruption and anti-money laundering activities, and election
support.
The OSCE is currently leading a Special Monitoring Mission in
Ukraine. This mission is an unarmed civilian mission tasked to observe
and to report on the situation resulting from ongoing Russian
aggression to facilitate dialogue among all parties to restore peace,
p-e-a-c-e, and to monitor and support the implementation of the cease-
fire and other tenets of the Minsk peace agreements.
It is the only nonpartisan international body that maintains a
continuous presence at the line of contact between the Ukrainian Armed
Forces and Russian-led forces in eastern Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine,
that is p-e-a-c-e, will be through organizations like the OSCE.
I am completely perplexed by my colleagues and can't figure out why
they would not find this a good investment
[[Page H4760]]
of taxpayer dollars. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as we are here today, we
appreciate so much the leadership of Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart. He was
so correct earlier to identify the appeasement of Afghanistan has
endangered all American families in the continuing global war on
terrorism, with Afghanistan sadly now becoming a safe haven for
terrorists.
As the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I strongly support the
continuation of its very meaningful work. For nearly 50 years, the U.S.
Helsinki Commission, uniquely made up of Senators and Members of
Congress, with rotating chairmanship of House and Senate Members, has
worked to promote American values in Europe and the former Soviet
Union.
Its small, professional staff support bicameral, bipartisan
commissioners to advance American national security and national
interests in human rights, military security, and economic cooperation
in 57 countries. It is the fulfillment of the dream of Barry Goldwater
and Ronald Reagan of ``Why Not Victory?''.
The Commission has worked with fellow legislative members from each
country to ensure respect for freedom of religion, to defend those
persecuted from criticizing dictatorships to fight against corruption
and to prevent human trafficking. It is a vital forum in the ongoing
worldwide conflict between dictators with rule of gun who are opposing
democracies with rule of law. We must stand and meet the challenge of
power coming from the barrel of a gun.
Commissioners have worked with countries to update their religious
laws to allow smaller Christian and other groups to practice freely.
Commissioners have put together numerous legislative proposals to
counter corruption, including by highlighting the priority of
anticorruption in U.S. foreign policy, providing further authorities to
end the impunity enjoyed by kleptocrats and preventing them from
entering the United States, and highlighting the work of U.S. law
enforcement to recover stolen money hidden in America.
Commissioners have authored much of the antihuman trafficking
legislation here with the leadership of Chairman Chris Smith and set
standards for preventing human trafficking internationally. Most
recently, the Commission has focused on supporting Ukrainian children
who have been forcibly relocated by kidnapping or who have experienced
extreme trauma due to war.
With only a small staff, the Commission has had a large impact. It is
crucial that this important work continues and the Commission be funded
for its future.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment. I associate myself with the remarks of my distinguished
chairman.
I have been on the Helsinki Commission, serving on it since 1982. It
is a remarkable Commission. We get political prisoners out of prison.
We did it during Soviet times. I worked with Steny Hoyer, when he was
chair and I was ranking and also when I was chair and he was ranking
member.
It is truly a bipartisan Commission that promotes democracy, human
rights, and as my good friend mentioned a moment ago, we also combat
horrible things like human trafficking. I am the special rep for human
trafficking, and we are making a difference, so please vote ``no'' on
this amendment.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will
be postponed.
The Chair understands amendment No. 11 will not be offered.
Amendment No. 13 Offered by Mr. Crane
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 13
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 24, line 8, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $607,404,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Crane) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I rise this morning to offer my amendment to
the State and Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriation Act
which would reduce funding for USAID by 50 percent.
USAID was established over 60 years ago with the noble intention of
fostering the advancement of the developing world, a goal that could
benefit the United States by creating new trade partners and stable
neighbors. Unfortunately, current budget allocations at USAID indicate
a shift toward a social and cultural agenda that caters to the radical
priorities of woke global elites.
USAID has become a front for unelected bureaucrats to impose woke
nonsense and harmful agendas across the globe, all on the U.S.
taxpayers' dime. We shouldn't continue to fund this organization that
aims to undercut American values and objectives.
Cutting USAID's funding by 50 percent would dramatically conserve
taxpayer resources otherwise wasted abroad on programs that do little
to nothing to advance American interests. In fact, our core interests
are instead undermined by these programs that include climate change
alarmism and wasting money on ridiculous studies and programs that
promote distorted gender ideology.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment to
prevent American tax dollars from being wasted on an Agency bent on
sabotaging our best efforts around the globe. I reserve the balance of
my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, the United States Agency for
International Development's global operations are essential to
defending United States national security, asserting United States
leadership and foreign policy influence, and advancing stability,
security, and prosperity worldwide.
This account supports a direct-hire workforce focused on advancing
the most critical and effective foreign assistance programs and
ensuring strong relationships and stewardship and accountability of
U.S. taxpayer dollars. A 50 percent reduction to the operating expenses
account would devastate USAID operations, including its workforce, and
its ability to implement critical foreign assistance and humanitarian
assistance programs.
At this level, the Agency would be forced to reduce permanent U.S.
direct-hire levels by about 1,845 positions. USAID would cut
approximately 965 Foreign Service and 880 civil service positions. This
50 percent workforce reduction would require a reduction in force since
eliminating the backfilling of positions lost through attrition would
achieve only about an 8 percent cut.
USAID would significantly reduce its presence overseas, including
closing some missions, once again leaving this void for our
adversaries. This would leave these missions without American personnel
to deliver aid from the American people and ensure our national
security through development and humanitarian assistance.
This drastic staff cut would leave programs extremely vulnerable to
waste, fraud, and abuse, and impair the Agency's ability to respond to
ongoing and future natural and human crises, pandemics, and development
challenges. It also will result in the termination of programs
overseas, once again creating a void for our adversaries to fill.
[[Page H4761]]
This amendment is really counterproductive. We can't short fund staff
charged with managing our foreign assistance programs and expect them
to be effective. If we reduce our development efforts, we are not
countering Russia and the PRC's influence. We are, instead, opening the
door for their expanded global influence. I urge my colleagues to
oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Gaetz).
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 2
minutes.
{time} 1030
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of my colleague from
Arizona's amendment to cut funding to USAID.
For the American taxpayer watching, USAID is essentially a venture
capital fund that Americans pay for that invests in businesses and
economic development in other countries overseas.
At a time when we are $33 trillion in debt and facing $2 trillion
annual deficits in this country, it would seem to me to be an easy
decision to reduce the investments in Albania or the developing world,
for which we are borrowing money from China to make. That seems like an
easy thing to do, yet our colleagues call it drastic.
I would take the USAID fund down to zero. They would fund it to the
tune of billions of dollars. Maybe a compromise position is that we
would be willing to send USAID everything that was found in Senator
Menendez' jacket.
Maybe that is something that can bring us all together. If there is
going to be international bribe money paid that we are going to be
involved in, rather than sourcing it from the American taxpayer, we
could source it from corrupt Democratic politicians. I am here to bring
us together.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in
personalities.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully rise in opposition.
The gentleman from Arizona brings up, I think, really legitimate
reasons for his concern about the out-of-control spending and, frankly,
what this administration has done. However, because of that, the
operating account of USAID in this bill has been significantly reduced
below the FY 2019 enacted level.
As the gentleman is aware, we get to the point if we do further
reductions, that this account, frankly, stops our ability to actually
do some serious oversight.
While I agree with his concerns, I don't think this is the right way
to do that. Further reductions to this account would mean less
oversight, less efficiency, and, frankly, I think fewer positive
outcomes.
By the way, in the manager's amendment, we reduce it even further. I
totally understand and look forward to working with the gentleman about
his concern. I think we are addressing it in this bill.
Again, it is one of those issues that I understand where he is going,
but I think this is not the right way to do it, so I respectfully
oppose the amendment.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will
be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 14 will
not be offered.
Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Perry
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 15
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk as the designee
of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 25, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $230,599,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $230,599,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment, which
eliminates $230,599,000--a lot of money whether you are in Arizona,
Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C.--in funding to the U.S. Agency for
International Development, funds appropriated to the President capital
investment fund.
I once again bring up the amendment to address the massive spending
that is appropriated to USAID. The capital investment fund is for
expenses for overseas construction and related costs and for the
procurement and enhancement of information technology and related
capital investments.
We all want a new office. We all want a new computer. We all want a
new phone. We have massive debt right now. We are going to run $2.2
trillion behind this year alone.
I don't know who at home when they can't pay their bills, when they
are literally borrowing money from their enemy, goes out and spends
more.
We are not even talking about spending more on our own home or our
own phone or our own computer. We are talking about spending more on
somebody else's and, quite honestly, in many cases in places where they
don't even like America.
Mr. Chairman, our country is now $33 trillion in debt. How in good
conscience can we continue with this spending?
This is the time to invest in the United States of America and our
constituents who are struggling to pay for their groceries, to pay for
gasoline, to pay for their ever-rising electricity bill, and it is
going to keep on rising.
Your gas prices are going to keep going up, and so are your food
prices because of the policies of this administration.
Mr. Chairman, we don't have any more money to spend on things that
might be great to have, might be nice to have, might make us feel good.
We don't have the money. When you don't have the money, you don't spend
it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, the United States Agency for
International Development's capital investment fund supports facility
construction, information technology, and real property maintenance.
These include efforts to accelerate the construction of new, secure,
safe, and functional office facilities for USAID personnel overseas.
Without this funding, these diplomats would be vulnerable and at
greater risk for harm on less secured compounds.
This fund also supports information technology security, including
efforts critical to cybersecurity and real property maintenance and
repairs.
I don't hear the gentleman talking about the fact that the policy of
countering Chinese influence costs a little bit of money, also. I think
this provides us a bigger bang for our buck.
Without this funding, the Agency would be unable to upgrade and
secure the IT environment against external and internal threats that
could damage our national security and expose personally identifiable
information of not only Americans but the participants we assist in
times of crisis.
Mr. Chair, this amendment is shortsighted, and I urge my colleagues
to oppose it. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I agree with the gentlewoman from the other
side of the aisle. We should be countering China. If we are going to
use USAID to do that, well, that is all well and good, too, but let's
enumerate how we are actually going to use this money to counter China.
What we are expected to believe is that they need this money, and we
are
[[Page H4762]]
going to counter China somewhere in Eastern Europe. Maybe we are, but
let's make the case.
What you are asking is the American people to borrow money from China
to then somehow counter China and just give all these folks that are
smarter than all the rest of us all the money, and I am sure they will
figure it out.
I don't know if you are keeping up with current events, but China is
eating our lunch right now while we are spending all this money that we
are borrowing from China.
I think the case makes itself. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of
my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 16 Offered by Ms. Jackson Lee
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 16
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 27, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank the manager and the chairman and
ranking member of this committee.
State, foreign operations, and related programs are the face of
America, the most powerful nation in the world, the nation that the
world looks to for guidance and direction in the interactions of this
world. I am saddened to say that this face has been altered and
threatened desperately by some of the shortchanges in the funding.
The threat to national security by abdicating U.S. leadership, and
the underfunding of the U.N. Development Program and the U.N., the
underfunding of the State Department, and the threat to women's health
equality globally around the world, is why my amendment is so very
important, and I ask my colleagues to support it.
I thank the Rules Committee, and I thank the subcommittee, for my
amendment is an important and potentially lifesaving amendment in an
unfortunate and distracting approach to State and foreign relations.
My amendment increases funds by $1 million and decreases funding by
$1 million for the global health programs account to highlight and
support the fight against the practice of female genital mutilation.
I have been a dedicated champion of this and introduced legislation
in years past supporting the elimination of this very difficult and
ludicrous practice of mutilating young women around the world.
Female genital mutilation or cutting, FGMC, comprises all procedures
that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia
or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.
My colleagues may be shocked to know that some of this occurs in the
United States of America. This practice is rooted in gender
inequalities often linked to other elements of gender-based violence
and discrimination, such as child marriage, and is recognized
internationally as a violation of the human rights of women and girls.
That is why it is so important that we fund women's global health.
Unfortunately, this means an estimated 200 million girls and women
alive today have been victims of FGMC, with girls 14 and younger
representing 44 million of those who have been cut.
For example, consider that around the world at least five girls are
mutilated, cut, every hour. More than 3 million girls are estimated to
be at risk right now with FGMC annually.
The impacts of FGMC on the physical health of women and girls can
include bleeding, infection, obstetric fistula, complications during
childbirth, and death.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition,
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized
for 5 minutes.
There was no objection.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, while this amendment does not have
a budgetary effect, I thank my colleague for raising such an important
issue for millions of women around the world.
For more than 200 women, female genital mutilation can mean health
problems that haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The quest for gender equality will not be complete until women are no
longer subjected to these practices, and I thank my colleague for
raising this important issue.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, let me, first of all, thank the ranking
member, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for her consistent, steady, and
unrelenting commitment to world affairs as well as to the peace and
harmony of women around the world and humanitarian practices.
That is why this amendment and this emphasis on FGMC is so important
because other significant barriers to combating the practice of FGMC
include the high concentration in Pacific regions associated with
several cultural traditions that are not tied to any one religion, so
it spreads all over.
I emphasize to this body that girls as young as 14 who can make no
determination are put upon by this process. According to UNICEF, FGMC
is reported to occur in all parts of the world but is most prevalent in
parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Due to the commonality of this practice, many migrants to the U.S.
bring the practices of FGMC with them, increasing the importance of
combating FGMC abroad.
As I said, it happens in the United States. My amendment prioritizes
funding for foreign assistance to combat female genital mutilation or
cutting, an internationally recognized violation of the human rights of
girls and women, so that it can finally come to an end.
With the negatives of this Defense appropriation, let's do something
positive with the State Department appropriations.
I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Jackson Lee amendment,
notwithstanding the vast, extensive work that is going on that is
without restraint of dealing with FGMC around the world.
Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment
16 to H.R. 4665--Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2024.
I want to thank my colleagues on the Rules Committee for making this
amendment in order.
The Jackson Lee Amendment 16 is an important and potentially life-
saving amendment in an unfortunate and distracting appropriations bill.
The Jackson Lee Amendment 16 increases funds by $1,000,000 and
decreases funding by $1,000,000 for the Global Health Programs account
to highlight and support the fight against the practice of Female
Genital Mutilation.
I have been a dedicated champion against this practice for a long
while, working closely with former Congressman Joe Crowley of New York
to introduce legislation targeted at supporting the elimination of this
ludicrous practice of mutilating young women.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) comprises all procedures
that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia,
or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
This practice is rooted in gender inequality and is often linked to
other elements of gender-based violence and discrimination, such as
child marriage and recognized internationally as a violation of the
human rights of women and girls.
Unfortunately, this means an estimated 200 million girls and women
alive today have been
[[Page H4763]]
victims of FGM/C, with girls 14 and younger representing 44 million of
those who have been cut.
For example, consider that around the world, at least five girls are
mutilated/cut every hour and more than 3 million girls are estimated to
be at risk of FGM/C, annually.
The impacts of FGM/C on the physical health of women and girls can
include bleeding, infection, obstetric fistula, complications during
childbirth and death.
Other significant barriers to combatting the practice of FGM/C
include the high concentration in specific regions associated with
several cultural traditions, that is not tied to any one religion.
According to UNICEF, FGM/C is reported to occur in all parts of the
world, but is most prevalent in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and
Asia.
Due to the commonality of this practice many migrants to the U.S.
bring the practice of FGM/C with them, increasing the importance of
combatting FGM/C abroad.
Jackson Lee Amendment 16 prioritizes funding for foreign assistance
to combat Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), an internationally
recognized violation of the human rights of girls and women comes to an
end.
While the negatives of this State appropriations bill disappointedly
outweigh my positive amendment, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor
of the Jackson Lee Amendment 16--notwithstanding my strong opposition
and encouragement to vote down the underlying bill.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1045
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support this amendment.
Look, this is a horrifying practice of literally just mutilating
women around the world. An estimated 200 million women and girls have
undergone this form of female genital mutilation, including, by the
way, ones who are 15 or younger.
Mr. Chair, I don't have to tell you about the extreme psychological
and physical harm that this does to these young girls and women.
I thank my colleague, Representative Jackson Lee, for condemning this
practice wherever--wherever--it is occurring. Anywhere in the world we
should object to minors, young girls, young women, having genital
mutilation performed for whatever reason.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to strongly support this
amendment.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me indicate my appreciation to the
chairman and to the ranking member for their support of this amendment.
I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. Let's end
FGMC against women and girls around the world forever.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Salinas).
Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this bill for
reasons beyond what I can list in the allotted time, but primarily
because it would force America to abdicate its leadership role on the
global stage.
This bill contains too many harmful provisions to count, but for the
benefit of the American people, I will do my best to summarize a few of
them:
This bill would severely reduce our ability to combat the climate
crisis.
It would make massive cuts to global health programming through USAID
and the WHO.
It would shortchange economic and humanitarian assistance and global
peacekeeping funding.
And as if those self-imposed restrictions on our international
leadership weren't bad enough, my Republican colleagues are using this
bill as a Trojan horse for more poison pill riders, just as they have
done with other appropriations bills.
The majority's obsession with anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-
diversity politics precludes them from putting forth a bill that has
any chance of becoming law.
Specifically, their bill would reinstate the global gag rule and
prohibit contributions to the UNPFA, restricting women and girls around
the world from receiving the reproductive and maternal healthcare they
need.
They are just not content to undermine reproductive freedom at home.
No, they need to take their draconian quest abroad to the tremendous
shame of the majority of Americans who value reproductive freedom.
Mr. Chair, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit
this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have
offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.
My amendment would strike the global gag rule and allow contributions
to UNPFA.
Mr. Chair, I strongly support reproductive rights and believe we
should be a global leader guaranteeing it to all women and girls,
regardless of where they may have been born. I hope my colleagues will
join me in voting for the motion to recommit.
Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment.
Ms. Salinas moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4665 to the
Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment:
Strike section 7057.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 17 Offered by Mr. Gaetz
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 17
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 27, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $750,000,000)''.
Page 32, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,000,000,000)''.
Page 33, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $750,000,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $4,500,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Gaetz) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, this amendment reduces the amount of funding
allocated to USAID by $4.5 billion.
As I mentioned earlier, USAID is a vehicle through which the American
taxpayer pays for economic development in other countries. I think
instead we should spend more money on economic development of our own
country, and actually, if we spent less money overall, we probably
would see less inflation, more prosperity, and the type of economic
growth that we saw during President Trump's time in office.
USAID may have started with laudable goals, but today, they are
promoting abortion globally with American tax dollars. They are pushing
President Biden's national gender strategy.
I never thought we needed a national gender strategy, but if we need
a national gender strategy, can we at least not spend so much money
promoting it abroad?
It is silly.
The DEI programs that are embedded in The 1619 Project have been
embraced by United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and we
see that continue to manifest through USAID.
American taxpayers should focus their resources and their efforts on
the American people and the American economy. This is a thoughtful
reduction. It should be easily agreed to.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, once again, I have no idea what my
colleagues are trying to achieve.
All this amendment would do is double down on the harm Russia's
aggression has already wreaked on the poorest countries of the world
through higher food, fertilizer, and fuel costs.
This amendment would cut $750 million each from global health
programs and the International Disaster Assistance accounts. These cuts
would impose tremendous harm and suffering to the most vulnerable,
including:
4 million children with malaria will go untreated;
350,000 deaths attributable to tuberculosis;
[[Page H4764]]
13 million fewer children vaccinated resulting in a possible 115,000
additional deaths; and
A reduction by over 45 percent of humanitarian assistance to Sudan
compared to FY 2023 levels.
This doesn't sound much like pro-life to me, Mr. Chairman.
It would also eliminate the entire Official Development Assistance
accounts, affecting agriculture and food security programs, education,
and clean water for millions of the most vulnerable people in the
world.
Development assistance is also used for Countering PRC Influence
programs, which represents one of our most effective tools to counter
and compete with the PRC globally.
It is really ridiculous, it is cruel, and it is not pro-life. These
are not funds that would be targeted to Ukraine in any significant way.
It has no impact on the Ukraine debate and would inflict harm on
millions of people.
Mr. Chair, I would be happy to discuss with my colleagues about how
we support Ukraine's pursuit of freedom, but this amendment would only
alienate the rest of the world and forsake many of our allies' reliant
on assistance from the United States.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, my amendment makes a $4.5 billion cut; $3.5
billion of that stops us from retiring global debt for Ukraine.
Now, I don't think it is an unrealistic position to say that the
United States of America should not deficit spend to retire the debt of
other countries.
Think about that. We are borrowing money from China to go settle the
debts of Ukraine that they accrued far before this war with Russia.
My colleagues say this exists to counter the PRC. We are never going
to out-bribe the PRC on the global scene. We are going to need another
strategy.
If you listen to the debate of those opposing my amendment, hear the
substance: Oh, my goodness, people around the world are having problems
buying food and buying fuel, and if the U.S. taxpayer would just
sacrifice a little more, it might be easier to buy food and fuel in
other countries.
I have a message for my Democratic colleagues: People are having a
hard time buying food and fuel in this country as a consequence of the
very inflationary spending that I am trying to reduce with this
amendment.
We should retire our debt before we retire Ukraine's debt.
That is such an obvious statement, I am shocked I have to say it on
the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, where I am just glad we
are still hanging our flag.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, let me just suggest this: It
really is an unrealistic position for the United States to allow 4
million children with malaria to go untreated, to allow 350,000 deaths
attributable to tuberculosis, to allow 13 million fewer children
vaccinated, resulting in a possible 115,000 additional deaths, and a
reduction of over 45 percent of humanitarian assistance to Sudan
compared to 2023 levels.
Very unrealistic, cruel, and unusual.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chairman, it is hard to believe what I am hearing.
The gentlewoman is saying: But there is malaria and tuberculosis and
sickness and ailment all around the world.
The gentlewoman need look no further than her home State of
California where the human condition continues to decline. She would
need to look no further than the major cities throughout our country
that are under Democrat control.
Maybe before we go solve all of the world's problems, maybe before we
function as the world's policeman and the world's piggy bank and the
world's debt payer, we ought to focus on the issues that we have here
in this country. They are real, and frankly, too often, they
metastasize from the gentlewoman's home State.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida will
be postponed.
Amendment No. 18 Offered by Mr. Perry
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 18
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 33, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $3,905,460,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,905,460,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, when everyday Americans, like the folks I
have the honor to represent in Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional
District, have too many expenses, they are simply forced to cut back.
They don't have any choice.
That is what they had to do in this high inflation, high cost of
living, Biden economy where gas, food--seemingly everything. I don't
know that anything has gone down. For sure, food, gas, electricity
prices are just going up and up.
So what do folks do at home?
They don't go out to eat as often. They don't have a meal out with
their family. They might have to cancel a few subscriptions, put off
some repairs around the house, put off buying a new pair of shoes, you
name it. The point is that they pare back their spending sometimes to
the bare bones because they have to keep a roof over their head and
food in their bellies.
Now, the paring back that I just discussed is something that this
body, this institution has been unwilling, unable, and simply refused
to do now for decades. Decades, $33 trillion worth of that.
Many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle have highlighted via
amendment the wasteful, bloated spending that this place has
perpetuated, especially during the pandemic; unbelievable amounts
during the pandemic.
I appreciate the work of the chairman. He has worked diligently to
bring this thing back closer in line with some reality, but there are
still places we can cut.
This amendment reduces the amount of international disaster
assistance from $3.9 billion to zero.
Now, everybody is going to take a gasp.
Zero international disaster assistance?
Ladies and gentlemen, in our country, the International Disaster
Assistance account is zero. It has dried up.
{time} 1100
The good gentleman from Florida, his State just suffered a hurricane.
There isn't any disaster money for them. What about the folks in
Hawaii? What about the folks all across the country dealing with floods
and fires?
There isn't any money in the United States of America for them, but
heaven forbid, we have to make sure we are all around the globe helping
all those folks at the expense of the people in America.
I am not trying--and no one is trying--to be punitive or cruel here.
The fact is that this process is broken and the results of it are
broken, and the American people are tired of being broke from what we
do here in Washington.
This is a nearly $4 billion line item that we simply can't afford. We
want to be helpful. Every single one of us wants to help, but we are
using the money that other people earn to help other people overseas
while the people that earn the money are struggling, and that is
immoral and unacceptable.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
[[Page H4765]]
Ms. LEE of California. USAID's International Disaster Assistance
Account, or IDA, is a critical tool which supports our country's
foreign policy objectives and serves as a lifeline for millions of
people.
The IDA account provides lifesaving support including food, water,
shelter, emergency healthcare, sanitation and hygiene, and critical
nutrition services to the world's most vulnerable and hardest to reach
people.
This assistance is needed now more than ever. After 20 years of
decline, there are more people facing hunger now than in 2019, almost
30 percent of the global population.
Regardless of whether you have faith or not, I think that our values
compel us to really address those in most need, not only in our own
country, but, yes, throughout the world.
It is important to provide this humanitarian assistance because it is
morally the right thing to do. Once again, those who are people of
faith, or not, do this because it really does solidify our commitment
to humankind, and, also, yes, our leadership and influence throughout
the world.
It is unthinkable that the United States would stop providing this
support to those who have lost everything through a natural disaster or
conflict.
I am really ashamed that the Republicans want to do this. It is
really a disgrace.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I am glad that the gentlewoman mentioned people
of faith and their care for people, not only in their community but
around the globe. It is awesome. In the church that I attend, that is
exactly what we do, and that is exactly what we should do--be our
brother's keeper, be our brother's and sister's keeper--but the good
Lord never said force your brother to be someone else's keeper. That is
between them. And that is exactly what we are doing here is forcing
people that can ill afford their own bills and their own tragedies that
they are suffering in the United States to pay for the tragedies in
other places. That is immoral.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman has the only time remaining.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 20 Offered by Mr. Perry
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 20
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 35, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,161,119,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,161,119,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania. .
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, this amendment reduces the amount of economic
support funding from $2.9 billion to $1.8 billion.
Like a few of my colleagues on this side of the aisle have said this
week, this is a necessary haircut to a program that has ballooned
massively just since two Presidents ago.
In the 5 years from fiscal year 2018 to 2023, this account went from
$1.8 billion to $4.3 billion. People wonder, how do we get $33 trillion
in debt? You get it a billion at a time just adding up.
Let's look at the use of these funds from the report of this bill.
Cooperative projects, sustainability challenges relating to water
resources, agriculture, and energy storage. That is interesting. Have
you ever heard of Flint, Michigan? They are concerned about their water
resources.
Agriculture? Our farmers aren't allowed to buy fertilizer--or can't
afford it in this country based on the policies of the administration.
Energy storage? We are paying for batteries overseas. It is not
enough that we force our own constituents to use unreliable power, now
we are going to force the rest of the world to do it and pay for it.
How about scientific research collaboration in the Middle East? That
is awesome because other than our one ally there, there is not much
scientific collaboration that I am interested in participating in--
certainly not with Iran.
The Middle East partnership initiative, which according to the State
Department supports governments and their citizens to achieve shared
political economic and stability objectives, how much money are we
going to throw in this money pit year after year after year, decade
after decade?
In the administration's budget request they will say the use of funds
to foster economic resilience in Greenland. Are they in peril in
Greenland?
Strengthen transparent governance and promote civil society and
independent media in South Asia and provide rapid, flexible support and
assistance to government and civil society in Africa.
These are all laudable things. The question is can you afford them,
and we cannot. I remind everybody we are simply borrowing from China to
pay for these things--all of these things.
Reasonable people can disagree about whether the American taxpayer
dollars need to promote civil society or scientific collaboration
abroad; however, the fact remains we must find places to save, and this
reverts a highly inflated item--highly inflated. Again, $1.8 billion to
$4.3 billion in 5 years.
I would just ask what is the metric we use to determine whether this
is successful or does anything at all to support the American people?
Mr. Chair, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is shortsighted.
It would potentially cut programs to strengthen democracy and human
rights, protect religious freedom, and support economic reforms, among
others.
Many of these programs counter malign influences and provide an
alternative to the PRC's influence, financing, and activities.
These programs also offer and demonstrate another narrative from the
authoritarianism promoted by the government of the PRC. The Economic
Support Fund also advances critical security programs, such as
countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment and improving
governance and accountability. These are bigger challenges than they
were just 5 years ago.
The fiscal year level that is sought by this amendment is totally
unrealistic to accomplish our goals.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, again, we all want to do what we can, but we
shouldn't be borrowing money from China, our number one adversary. We
are borrowing it from them allegedly to counter them, and, oh, by the
way, while we are borrowing it from them to counter them, we are
allowing them to operate in our financial markets without the same
controls and restrictions we place on American companies.
That is ridiculous. It is so ridiculous that it probably costs us
more to counter them. We could do much more by just not allowing that,
but, instead, we are going to allow that and take taxpayers' money and
spend it to do this. It would cost so much less to do this if we would
just do the right thing in the first place.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this budget, first of all, is less
than one half of 1 percent of the United States' GDP.
I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).
[[Page H4766]]
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment would have
catastrophic consequences for priorities our conference champions,
including elimination of religious freedom programming, gutting the
Counter China Influence Fund, and hamstringing international
cybersecurity capacity building at a time when each of those foreign
policy priorities is under great pressure.
The funds from the Economic Support Fund are available to protect
human rights and freedom of the press, combat human trafficking and
corruption, and increase public accountability.
This account goes to countries of strategic significance to the
United States and often intended to promote the political and economic
stability of our U.S. allies.
Mr. Chair, the fiscal year 2024 bill already marks a $2.4 billion
reduction from the President's request and a $1.3 billion reduction
from the fiscal year 2023 level.
The dramatic shift proposed in this amendment would be an absolute
whiplash for our partners and allies overseas and detrimental to many
of the GOP and bipartisan priorities funded through this account.
Mr. Chair, I would go on about the priorities that would be lost if
this amendment were adopted, like training for Taiwan and Cuba
democracy programs, but I will simply say this amendment is a
disservice to responsible and effective diplomacy.
I encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment, with all due
respect.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Perry
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 22
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 37, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,548,250,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,548,250,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, this amendment cuts migration and refugee
assistance funding from $2.5 billion to $0.
This money, the $2.5 billion, goes toward refugee programs around the
world, including for shelter, healthcare, and sanitation.
Again, we all want to do what we can. We all want to help. Nobody is
trying to be cruel or punitive here, but we don't have enough money to
deal with the refugee crisis in our own country, which is self-imposed.
Our constituents here at home can't afford their own shelter, can't
afford their own healthcare, their own food because of the policies of
the administration, yet we are forcing them to pay for it around the
globe, oftentimes with companies that have encouraged and inspired
people to migrate to their countries and become refugees in their
countries, and yet we are paying for that.
Furthermore, during the debate on the Homeland Security funding bill
this week, many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle rightfully
pointed out the disaster occurring at our southern border to the tune
of thousands of people every single day coming in.
Oh, by the way, what other countries around the world are helping
with our refugee crisis, with our refugee and migration assistance?
So our taxpayers are paying for the one that we are encouraging and
allowing in our country, and they are being forced under penalty of law
in their taxes to pay for the ones in other countries, too.
All of our districts have been affected by the influx of drugs,
including fentanyl. In my district just in the last week, half a dozen
people died from fentanyl that came across the southern border into my
town thousands of miles away from the border.
{time} 1115
One of the refrains of the Biden administration and border czar
Harris seems to be that the only way to solve this is to address the
root causes instead of simply enforcing our own border.
Mr. Chair, we are not going to solve any of this under the current
policies that we are seeing, and we are certainly not going to solve it
around the globe by forcing our taxpayers to pay for it, encouraging
more of it all around the globe.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the migration and refugee
assistance account supports protection and assistance to ease the
suffering of those who had to leave everything behind and become
refugees. The funding also contributes to broader USG and international
efforts to resolve conflicts that cause displacement.
This humanitarian aid saves lives and upholds the dignity of tens of
millions of forcibly displaced and crisis-affected people, including
refugees, victims of conflict, stateless persons, and vulnerable
migrants.
There were more than 108 million forcibly displaced people globally
at the end of 2022. This is the largest ever annual increase and
represents the largest number of forcibly displaced in history.
Without assistance, nations will not accept the growing refugee
populations in their countries, potentially destabilizing regions and
threatening global peace, security, and stability. We should be doing
more, not less, to support these individuals.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, like I said, every single one of us wants to
help. Every single one of our hearts breaks for people who are forcibly
displaced.
I would say, as well, that I question the numbers of forcibly
displaced. There are people in this country saying that all the people
coming illegally to this country are being forcibly displaced when that
is obviously not true.
By the way, maybe we would be more amenable to taking the taxpayers'
hard-earned money and spending it overseas on these migrations if we
would solve our problems here in the United States of America. How can
we force them, how can we ask them, to spend their hard-earned tax
dollars overseas when we refuse to solve the problems right here at
home and force them to pay for that, as well? It is insult upon injury.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 23 Offered by Mr. Ogles
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 23
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 38, line 2, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $14,300,000)''.
Page 296, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $14,300,000)''.
[[Page H4767]]
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, when we fund specific programs, we should ask
ourselves one question: What is the real return on investment?
In the case of the Peace Corps, we are spending a little over $410
million. Is the investment worth it, given the rising costs of food and
gas? Is it appropriate for Congress to prioritize the Peace Corps over
our veterans, prioritize the Peace Corps over securing our border?
Keep in mind, my proposed cut is a modest cut. How is the Peace Corps
justifying its budget in light of financial hardships borne by millions
of Americans today?
In separate testimonies before the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Carol Spahn, the Peace Corps Director, pointed out the
agency's work on the following: helping illegals at the southern
border, promoting DEI amongst its volunteers, promoting COVID-19
vaccinations in low-income areas, and climate change adaptation, just
to name a few.
In the latter case, the Peace Corps is working to promote climate-
smart approaches in agriculture and to focus on gender equity issues.
It is clear the Peace Corps has become more of an activist organization
than an organization determined to help people.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the Peace Corps is one of the best
investments in public diplomacy that we make. There is no way that
Democrats have prioritized Peace Corps over veterans. We support our
veterans. We support the Peace Corps.
What better ambassadors do we have than young American people willing
to spend 2 years overseas and build goodwill with people around the
world?
I know many of us have met these young people when traveling overseas
or have discussed with our own constituents after they have
participated in this life-changing experience.
The Peace Corps account in this bill is already $20 million below its
current level, endangering the return of volunteers in the field after
COVID and the reopening of new sites, particularly in the Pacific
Islands, where strong American diplomacy is sorely needed.
Cuts are already threatening the ability to support the 5,000
volunteers across 51 countries that the Peace Corps has responsibility
for.
Once again, Democrats support the Peace Corps. Democrats support and
thank our veterans for their service.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, best investments? This is the best we can do?
How about we invest in our veterans? How about we invest in our border?
How about we take care of America? I want to help those around the
world, but not at the expense of Americans.
It should be noted that the Peace Corps has a long and sordid history
of covering up sexual abuse of its participants. Think about that. Are
we going to aid and abet an agency, an organization, that has this
sordid past while our veterans suffer, while our border is open, while
we have migrants being abused on the border? I should think not.
This is a modest cut. It simply returns the funding back to pre-COVID
levels, merely a $14 million cut. We can do this.
At a time when Americans are suffering, at a time when interest rates
are high, gas has gone up, food is more expensive, surely we put
hardworking Americans first.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I am not so sure that our veterans
would appreciate being used as a pawn in this game to try to defund and
cut funding for young people. I have talked to many veterans who
appreciate the Peace Corps and appreciate the work that they are doing
to help ensure that Americans have the best ambassadors in the world.
Our veterans would not want to hear of this pawn game being played in
opposition to the Peace Corps.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I would argue that the Gold Star families would
like us to invest in our veterans. I would argue the veterans who are
homeless would like for us to invest in our veterans.
When we look at the suicide rates among our servicemen and -women, we
should be investing in our veterans. To say that putting our veterans
first and using them as a pawn is offensive.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support this. I ask that we put our
veterans and Americans first, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee
will be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment Nos. 25 and 26
will not be offered.
Amendment No. 27 Offered by Mr. Kelly of Mississippi
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 27
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 52, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $10,000,000)''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my
amendment to reduce funding for the Global Environment Facility fund
from $139 million to $129 million, or by $10 million.
We do well what we measure. That is what my father told me growing
up. We do well what we measure. Unfortunately, many of the
organizations and much of the money that is spent by America are not
measured well.
We need to force people to prioritize and to account for the funds
that they spend. This is a small, little cut.
Americans are struggling every day as they face high gas prices,
inflation due to the reckless spending of this administration, and the
radical climate change agenda of the Biden administration.
My amendment claws back just a little bit of those hard-earned tax
dollars going to fund climate change initiatives outside of our
borders.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to vote in support of my
amendment. Remember, we do well what we measure.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment would reduce the
contribution of the United States to the Global Environmental Facility
by $10 million. The Global Environmental Facility is a multilateral
trust fund that provides grant-based funding to developing countries to
address the real global environmental challenges.
Last month was the hottest August, according to the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's 174-year record. In that one month,
Hawaii had a devastating wildfire, the Southeast suffered from Category
3 Hurricane Idalia, and southern California had its first-ever tropical
storm watch, with many areas receiving more rain in 48 hours than they
typically get all year. These disasters come with huge costs in the
communities they directly affect and impact our entire planet.
The Global Environmental Facility fund benefits the United States
economy and environment by addressing problems that affect our domestic
health, safety, and prosperity, such as by protecting tropical forests,
reducing global levels of transboundary pollutants, and combating
illegal wildlife
[[Page H4768]]
trafficking, which I know is of concern to many on both sides of the
aisle.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I point out that we spend a lot
of money overseas to preserve our environment. None of it is measured.
There are no metrics of success. We spend billions and billions of
dollars outside of the United States for climate preservation, which
countries like China just refuse to acknowledge, or other areas in
South America that do not do those.
Mr. Chair, I ask for support for my amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, I ask people to remember that we
are asking for a small cut. We do well what we measure and what we
account for.
Mr. Chair, I ask for a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Mississippi
will be postponed.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment Nos. 28
through 31 will not be offered.
{time} 1130
Amendment No. 36 Offered by Ms. Plaskett
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 36
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Strike subsection (d) of section 7070.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment.
This amendment would strike section 7070(d) from the bill, removing
language banning the State Department and other agencies from
identifying, classifying, or facilitating the classification of any
communication by a United States person as misinformation,
disinformation, or malinformation, and banning the Federal Government
from partnering with nonpartisan, nonprofit, outside experts to
identify these threats.
On January 7, 2021, a day after the January 6 insurrection, the
National Intelligence Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Department
of Homeland Security, FBI, NSA, and the State Department disseminated a
then-classified report entitled, ``Foreign Threats to the 2020 U.S.
Federal Elections.''
That report was declassified 2 months later, and in it, the best
minds of our intelligence community wrote, ``. . . Russian President
Putin authorized, and a range of Russian Government organizations
conducted, influence operations aimed at denigrating President Biden's
candidacy and the Democratic Party, supporting former President Trump,
undermining public confidence in the electoral process and exacerbating
sociopolitical divisions in the U.S.''
It went on to say that: ``Unlike in 2016 . . . A key element of
Moscow's strategy this election cycle was its use of proxies linked to
Russian intelligence to push influence narratives--including misleading
or unsubstantiated allegations. . . .''
Mr. Chair, in the wake of the chaos and destruction caused by the
former President and his followers on January 6, I fear these facts are
being forgotten.
So why are we here today with multiple appropriation bills that
prevent the Federal Government of the United States from even
acknowledging misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, and
getting that information to the American public no matter who it is
spouted by, whether it is domestic or foreign threats?
Seems to be that my colleagues across the aisle want to use First
Amendment rights as a blanket for those kinds of words and uses that
are going to destroy the American people. We are not saying that people
cannot say these things; what the Federal Government needs to be able
to do is inform the American people where that information comes from,
if it is, in fact, not factual, if it is conspiracy theories.
I fear that this is being allowed because some empowered corners of
our Republican Caucus know another Presidential election is coming and
they have been given a cookbook on how to keep chaos in our society.
We know that page one of that cookbook, that first recipe, is Russian
propaganda and its penetration of the American people. Let's be clear:
It is not only the Kremlin that wants in on this mis-, dis-, and
malinformation game, this meal that they are trying to cook for the
American people, Iran and China want to get into the kitchen, too.
We know foreign influence efforts are already active and we know many
more are coming. Let's make sure that our Federal Government has the
expertise and the research to be able to stop it.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to approve my amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, when George Orwell wrote the book ``1984,''
most people took it as a cautionary tale. Some of our friends on the
left took it as an instruction manual. We have literally seen this
administration try to stand up a ministry of truth. We have seen
accurate information about where a lab leak might have come from
labeled as disinformation. We have seen medical experts with lifesaving
information be labeled as spreaders of misinformation, having their
careers ruined and tragically costing the lives of thousands, if not
millions, of people.
Let's talk about Russian information for a moment. The Hunter laptop
was labeled as Russian information. We had the dossier that was paid
for by the DNC labeled as Russian information, and all this has been on
the backs of the taxpayer. The U.S. taxpayer is having to fund not only
the demise of their own country, but having their First Amendment
rights squelched by the government that is meant to serve them.
As if that is not enough, apparently, for our friends on the left,
they want to export that on the backs of the U.S. taxpayer to the
people around the world. This is how this works.
Right now, the State Department is funding a misinformation tracking
group called the Global Disinformation Index, and they have labeled
some news outlets like The American Spectator, Newsmax, The Federalist,
The American Conservative, One America News, The Blaze, The Daily Wire,
RealClearPolitics, the Reason, and the New York Post as potential
spreaders of misinformation.
They created this list and they aggregate this list to potential
sponsors and basically the word is, don't put any advertisement on
these sites because they might be ``spreaders of misinformation.'' This
is a way to strong-arm and try to drain them of any sort of finances,
all sponsored by the U.S. taxpayer.
This is unconscionable. Of course, the understanding shtick is like
if you are a business who maybe sponsors one of these things, we might
lean heavily on you when it comes to government grants or when it comes
to enforcing regulatory burdens and all of these kinds of things. This
is not how things are supposed to work in a free society in a
government of the people, by the people, for the people.
We need to stop this nonsense, and we certainly shouldn't be
exporting it across the world on the backs of the U.S. taxpayer.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, let me just say that private media companies
acting in their own business interest and in the understood interest of
public health in the midst of global pandemics are going to do what
they think is best for their bottom line. That is what drives them.
[[Page H4769]]
As for Orwellian cries, that is absolutely ludicrous that you would
be concerned with that. You are only concerned with free speech now
because it is impeding conspiracy theories that you want to put
forward.
Free speech is not an absolute protection. That is one of the first
things you learn in law school in constitutional law. It is not an
absolute. It is not an absolute when it is going against the American
people and our democracy, and when it is malicious speech.
Additionally, we are not saying that people cannot say these words;
we are saying that where the information comes from and how it is used,
our Federal Government should be allowed to track that.
The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, I remind my colleague to direct her comments to
the Chair and also remind her that our Constitution understands that
those rights are a gift from God, not a grant from government.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair acknowledges that Members should direct
their remarks to the Chair.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. Clyde), my friend and colleague.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to amendment 36
offered by my colleague on the left.
Protecting free speech is a vital duty and founding principle
enshrined in our Constitution. Our Founders embedded this protection in
the First Amendment, the very bedrock of our Republic. Yet, today,
forces inside our government seek to trample this freedom through
censorship and intimidation.
The so-called Disinformation Governance Board was a dystopian scheme
allowing unelected bureaucrats to silence dissent. Though now
dismantled, its specter remains. Recently, shocking evidence emerged of
Federal agencies, specifically CISA, pressuring social media platforms
to suppress lawful speech.
Make no mistake: Any attempt by the government to dictate approved
narratives, stifle open debate, or chill free speech is
unconstitutional. The Founders rebelled against such tyranny and wrote
those protections into law, but, once again, Americans face efforts to
control thought and decree acceptable speech.
Amendment 36 would remove vital protections against these abuses of
power. It would open the door to continued coercion with Big Tech, the
harvesting of private data without warrants, and other violations of
the First and Fourth Amendments.
I call on each Member here to search your conscience. Will you defend
the bill of rights or bow to illiberal forces attacking our liberties?
The choice is clear. Stand alongside the Framers of our Constitution
in upholding freedom. Oppose this amendment and affirm that government
has no place policing protected speech or compromising privacy rights
without due process.
The American spirit rejects thought control and censorship. Our
Constitution enshrines the right to voice beliefs openly, however
controversial. Let's uphold this heritage. Vote down amendment 36 and
any attempt to enable silencing of dissent. The integrity of our
Republic hangs in the balance.
Will you defend it or will you attack it?
Amendment 36 attacks it, and so I urge all my colleagues to vote
against it.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 15 seconds remaining.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from the Virgin
Islands will be postponed.
Amendment No. 38 Offered by Mr. Tiffany
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 38
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to enforce the
restrictions outlined under the headings ``Visits and
Travel'' (regarding limitations on ``Travel to Taiwan'') and
``Communications'' (regarding limitations on ``Name'',
``Symbols of Sovereignty'', and ``Correspondence'') in the
Department of State's June 29, 2021, Memorandum for All
Department and Agency Executive Secretaries entitled
``Revised Guidelines on Interacting with Taiwan''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prevent the enforcement of
several arbitrary, self-imposed State Department restrictions that
limit communication and cooperation between U.S. officials and their
counterparts in Taiwan.
This amendment is similar to one that was adopted earlier in the
Department of Defense appropriations bill. As I discussed then, these
restrictions are not required by any provision of law and have been put
in place at the behest of Communist China.
They make it difficult for senior U.S. officials to travel to Taiwan
and to interact with their Taiwanese counterparts. In essence, these
guidelines are designed to prevent and limit high-level, bilateral
cooperation.
Not only does this make little sense, it is in direct conflict with
existing laws that call for expanding such cooperation, such as the
Taiwan Travel Act.
Mr. Chair, a State Department memorandum should never trump the laws
we pass in this body or outsource American foreign policy to the CCP.
My amendment will make sure that neither of those things happen by
scrapping these restrictive guidelines. I ask for a ``yes'' vote on
this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, first, the executive branch has the
ability to determine how the United States engages and manages our
relationship with Taiwan. It had that ability during the last
administration. That is because Congress left it to the executive
branch to conduct diplomacy and the recognition or nonrecognition of
foreign states and governments in this case.
If you wish to legislate how the executive branch should engage with
Taiwan, then markup a separate bill in the Foreign Affairs Committee
that just deals with that. In the absence of that, the executive branch
needs to determine how to handle diplomatic engagements abroad. Again,
the last administration did just that.
It is their job to weigh multiple equities and balance delicate
factors that are simply not considered by this amendment today.
The gentleman knows that Taiwan is a sensitive geopolitical subject
with respect to our relations with the People's Republic of China. That
is why we have a Select Committee in the House on it. I think this is
something that they could examine, but there is too much at stake to
have this amendment decide what the guidelines for engagement will be.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Chair, why do we allow the State Department through
a bureaucratic memo to impose these unnecessary and counterproductive
limits on communication and cooperation with Taiwan?
We don't have rules like this in place for the totalitarian rulers of
Cuba or Russia, both of whom operate embassies just a few miles away
from where we are standing right now.
{time} 1145
We don't have rules like this for our interaction with Iran. John
Kerry has
[[Page H4770]]
met on several occasions with high-ranking Iranian officials, and the
White House just paid a $6 billion hostage ransom to the ayatollah.
We don't have rules like this for U.S. interaction with Communist
China. Biden administration officials continue to sit down at the table
with the same CCP officials who our own Secretary of State has accused
of committing genocide.
Yet, we continue to enforce these degrading conditions on Taiwan, a
longtime friend and fellow democracy.
Mr. Chair, as the old Sesame Street song goes, ``One of these things
is not like the other.''
It is time to stop treating our friends like enemies and our enemies
like friends.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Chair, here is part of the memo that I read last
night from the State Department:
You should not refer to Taiwan as a country or to the
authorities of Taiwan as a government, instead, refer to
Taiwan authorities or Taiwan counterparts.
That is the kind of thing that is happening in our State Department
and it projects weakness to countries across the world, in particular,
our adversaries, when we need a foreign policy that is strong, we are
not receiving it now. That is why this amendment should be passed.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 39 Offered by Mr. Ogles
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 39
printed part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title) insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to pay Secretary Antony John Blinken a salary that
exceeds $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, if you want to come up with the right policy
position on an issue related to foreign affairs, talk to Antony Blinken
first, and then do the opposite.
We have all seen the Secretary's inability to be correct about any
major foreign policy concern for the last 20 years, whether that be
Iraq, Libya, Yemen, giving the Iranians $6 billion to deploy--as their
president says, ``wherever they need it''--or in Afghanistan.
He is undoubtedly one of the most professionally ineffective and
incompetent individuals to hold the title of Secretary of State. But if
incompetence by itself were sufficient grounds to a Senate-confirmed
Cabinet official, the President would have very few advisers left.
In the case of Secretary Blinken, it is about incompetence and
perhaps outright corruption. For instance, Secretary Blinken received
more than $5,000 in payment from the former Prime Minister of Pakistan,
who notably praised the Taliban.
He received more than $5,000 for speaking at a bank opening in China.
He offered advisory services to a Japanese company who invested
heavily in a CCP company that was blacklisted by Trump.
Let's take one more. Mr. Blinken's consulting firm, WestExec
Advisors, it advertised its ability to help American colleges secure
CCP donations without compromising their Pentagon research grants.
Think about that. Usurping America's rules for engagement with the CCP.
That advertisement, by the way, was removed just 2 weeks prior to Joe
Biden's acceptance of the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination.
We have since learned from the former acting CIA Director Mike
Morrell that the infamous spies who lie letter--a letter that impacted
our Presidential race--was led by no one other than Antony Blinken. The
letter was signed by 51 intelligence experts, and was intended,
according to Morrell, to give Joe Biden a way to refute the Hunter
Biden laptop story ahead of a Presidential debate.
You would think this would be worthy of investigation, if not
outright impeachment, but certainly defunding.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in
personalities toward the President.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this is really despicable to
target dedicated public servants and threaten their livelihoods--public
servants doing their jobs and carrying out the policy of the
administration--regardless of which administration it is--they serve.
They should be commended and not demonized.
Our government is dependent on being able to attract the best talent
to bring their skills to public service, especially when in most cases
they could earn much more in the private sector.
Who is going to be willing to do that if their names can be dragged
through the political mud?
Secretary Blinken is a dedicated public servant who has proudly
represented the United States while serving in multiple high-level
positions.
This is not how we solve policy differences. We should not make it
personal and about people doing their jobs.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, serving the country or serving Hunter Biden?
Because we know through the work of Senators Johnson and Grassley,
that Hunter Biden kept his Burisma colleagues apprised of meetings and
emails he held with Mr. Blinken.
Mr. Blinken had previously said to Senate staffers that he wasn't
aware of any communications with Hunter Biden, aside from one in-person
meeting, which is a materially false statement and should subject him
to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Of course, the U.S. Congress never holds anyone accountable for
misleading Congress. Why tell the truth?
Mr. Chairman, Blinken has lied to Congress. He worked to prevent
critical information, including the July 2021 dissent cable from being
reviewed by this Chamber until confronted by the gentleman from Texas.
He clearly has a closer relationship with Hunter Biden than he led
on, and, further, engaged in questionable activities prior to serving
as Secretary of State, very little of which has been investigated or
vetted.
These questions deserve to be asked.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment and defunding of Mr.
Blinken. I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this, quite frankly, is
unconstitutional, first of all. It doesn't make any sense, second. It
really sends the worst signal in the world for those young people who
want to go into public service serving our country. I am really
shocked.
Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, William Holman, with the Holman rule, did
come up with a way to defund someone like the Secretary.
Back to the Secretary, there should be accountability for our botched
Afghanistan withdrawal and for helping establish the Islamist theocracy
that is in power there today. It is an insult to the memory of those
who lost their lives at Abbey Gate. This man is responsible, and he is
complicit.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment. He should be defunded.
Quite frankly, I would say he should be impeached.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 40 Offered by Mr. Ogles
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 40
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
[[Page H4771]]
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available for the Office of
Palestinian Affairs.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I am a big proponent of Israel, our closest
ally in that region. Yet, this administration has stopped at nothing to
marginalize that relationship with the State of Israel.
When President Trump shuttered the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, it
was a shot heard around the world. President Trump's action clarified
our diplomatic mission to Israel--the U.S. consulate was
inappropriately treated as something close to a de facto embassy to a
nonexistent Palestinian State.
By getting rid of the consulate, President Trump made it clear that
our only diplomatic outreach to that area is and should be the State of
Israel. In place of that consulate, the Trump administration
established the PAU, and housed its operations within the U.S. Embassy.
The PAU reported directly to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel and cannot
act independently of that Ambassador.
These actions created transparency in our foreign policy where there
was previously confusion. You would think that that would be
appreciated by both sides here. Unfortunately, you would be wrong.
Since taking office, the Biden administration has worked to roll back
progress initiated under President Trump by announcing the
administration's intent to reopen the consulate general.
Joe Biden has since closed the PAU in favor of the so-called Office
of Palestinian Affairs, an intended halfway step toward reestablishing
their consulate.
If you need further proof of the administration's intent, take note
that the Office of Palestinian Affairs, the OPA, doesn't report to our
ambassador in Jerusalem, it receives its instruction from the Bureau of
Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State here in Washington.
Our commitment should be to Israel and Israel alone, not to the PLO.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Obernolte). The gentlewoman is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment is a clear attempt
to return to the punitive and shortsighted policies of the previous
administration with regard to the Palestinians.
Let's get one thing straight. American diplomacy and engagement are
not rewards to our friends and things to hold over the heads of those
we are trying to pressure to bring about change. Diplomacy and
engagement serve our own interests.
United States policy is to support a two-state solution in the Middle
East--that is the United States policy, and the only path to peace--and
to avoid any steps by any party that makes that goal harder to reach.
By keeping a channel of communications open, the Palestinian Affairs
Unit is an important part of that strategy.
I have and will continue to urge the Biden administration to reset
U.S. relations with the Palestinian people, and to resume the United
States' role as a credible and constructive leader in the region.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, to my colleague, I thank her for the idea of
communication.
Mr. Chairman, we need communication with folks from around the world.
But as far as diplomatic missions, Mr. Chairman, we should be focused
on Israel.
The creation of the Office of Palestinian Affairs is an affront to
both our most important ally in the world and to U.S. law, which
clearly states that Jerusalem should be the undivided capital of
Israel, the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995.
The OPA is, unfortunately, just the latest in a legacy of foreign
policy driven by an animus toward the State of Israel. This should be a
bipartisan bill. Israel is our greatest ally in that region, arguably,
one of our greatest allies in the world, and to diminish that is really
unjust.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, just to clarify and to tell the
truth. This is a unit; it is not a mission. It is a unit, mind you,
within the embassy.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, it is often the case in foreign relations
that symbolism is policy. What the Office of Palestinian Affairs
symbolizes is a destructive policy that will only serve to embolden the
enemies of Washington and Jerusalem.
Our friends in Israel are under attack daily from bombs lofted in the
air to attacks on the streets. To do anything but to have unwavering
diplomatic support really jeopardizes lives. It threatens their
sovereignty, and we must stand with our important ally, the State of
Israel.
Mr. Chairman, I urge the adoption of this bill. I urge my colleagues
for this to be unanimous, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles).
The amendment was agreed to.
{time} 1200
Amendment No. 41 Offered by Ms. Greene of Georgia
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 41
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. The salary of Amanda Bennett, Chief Executive
Officer of the United States Agency for Global Media, shall
be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Georgia (Ms. Greene) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Georgia.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, my amendment is number 42.
I ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment No. 41.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.
Amendment No. 42 Offered by Ms. Greene of Georgia
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 42
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available for assistance to
Ukraine.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Georgia (Ms. Greene) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Georgia.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit funds
from being provided to assist Ukraine.
Over 1\1/2\ years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, but now the United
States has basically taken over Ukraine and is fighting a proxy war in
Ukraine that we never voted for. We are funding their government. We
are paying for their small businesses. We are paying their farmers. We
are handing military equipment and weapons over to Ukraine and paying
for their war.
[[Page H4772]]
According to the Congressional Research Service, in 2022, the United
States provided $113 billion in total assistance to Ukraine. Every
single year, the United States spends billions of dollars on foreign
aid, much more than any other country. Ukraine has now taken the top
spot.
The $50 billion State and Foreign Operations bill includes an
unspecified funding amount for Ukraine. Section 7046(b)(2) would make
funds available for Ukraine to support the ability of the Government of
Ukraine to defend their sovereignty and withstand the impacts of
Russia's invasion, combat corruption, and promote transparency and
democracy.
This is nothing more than a blank check for Ukraine that Joe Biden's
State Department will get to write. Even more dangerously, they get to
waive oversight, claiming national security. All this will do is fuel
another never-ending war and push the United States even closer to the
brink of nuclear Holocaust.
After Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars, haven't we had
enough of taxpayer-funded State and foreign operations. They tell us we
have to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here,
but paying for wars in foreign countries will eventually have
consequences on our country. We will bring the war to America, and we
will end up fighting them here when countries have had enough of the
United States.
After 1\1/2\ years of being engaged in this conflict, the American
people no longer support the additional assistance to Ukraine. My
amendment will help stop this brutal war and help push for peace in
Ukraine, which should be our ultimate goal.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, Russia's brutal and unprovoked
attack on Ukraine is not just a threat to Ukraine and its neighbors but
to the world. If Russia succeeds in its aggression, other unprovoked
attacks are inevitable.
As my colleague, Representative Hoyer, said last week on the House
floor: ``We are locked in a struggle between freedom and fascism,
democracy and despotism, might and right. The war in Ukraine is that
struggle manifest.''
Ukraine's democracy is being undermined every single day. Entire
cities have been demolished. Women and girls are being sexually abused
by Russian soldiers. Hospitals and schools, which should be safe
havens, are being intentionally attacked. Thousands of innocent
children and their families have been brutally murdered. Millions of
Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country.
Colleagues, we must continue to ensure that Ukraine has the funding
and support it needs to defend itself and that vulnerable people
continue to receive lifesaving assistance.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman
from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), my friend.
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chair, Joe Biden has forced Americans to
foot the bill for hundreds of billions of dollars to Ukraine while our
southern border is being invaded by terrorists, drug cartels, gangs,
and human traffickers.
I oppose sending any additional money to Ukraine oligarchs in a proxy
war that we are being dragged into because Ukraine was paying the Biden
family $1 million a year in cash.
Americans deserve a spending bill that puts America first by securing
our border and putting us back on the path to energy independence,
which was achieved by the Trump administration.
Mr. Chair, I thank Congresswoman Greene for offering this amendment.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, sadly, the world is in a
conflict we did not choose between dictators with rule of gun opposing
democracies with rule of law.
War criminal Putin began the current murderous conflict invading
Ukraine, shocked to find that the Ukrainians courageously resisted. The
brave Ukrainian people are an inspiration to the world, as they know
Putin falsely claims Ukraine does not exist as Putin is trying to
reassemble the evil empire of the Soviet Union.
Fellow dictators clearly see the conflict as dictator or democracy,
as North Korean Kim Jong-Un joins Putin. The Chinese Communist Party is
conducting the largest peacetime military buildup in world history. The
regime in Tehran builds drones for Putin to murder Ukrainian civilians
as they plan death to America, death to Israel.
We must stop the dictators today or they will be a direct threat to
American families tomorrow. We must always remember, of all things,
Pearl Harbor. We must remember 9/11. For these reasons, I oppose the
amendment.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, it needs to be recognized that we
represent the American people, and the polling shows very clearly, the
American people do not support continuing to fund a war in a foreign
country when our own country has been having a war waged on us by the
Mexican cartels.
Fifty-five percent of Americans say the U.S. Congress should not
authorize additional funding to Ukraine. Fifty-one percent say the U.S.
has already done enough to help Ukraine.
Americans demand their hard-earned tax dollars be used to secure our
own southern border and stop the Mexican cartels' war on America that
is killing 300 Americans every single day.
Speaking of human trafficking and sex trafficking, we should care
about the women and children who are being trafficked at our own
southern border, not pay to defend another foreign country and worry
about another country which, by the way, is not the 51st State. We only
have 50 States in the United States of America, and our tax dollars
should pay to defend our States here.
Mr. Chair, I urge the House to adopt my amendment, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time
to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Chair, when Ronald Reagan stood in front of the
Berlin Wall and said, ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,'' he did so
not because we were in opposition to just the Soviet Union and
Russians. He did so because we were in opposition to authoritarianism.
We were in opposition to communism.
Now, that wall fell, but it didn't fall because the Soviet Union took
it down. It fell because they merely didn't shoot the people who were
doing so. When it fell as a result of Ronald Reagan's words and a call
to the world, the line between authoritarianism and democracy marched
all the way to the border of Russia.
Right now today, Putin has told us straight up he wants to move the
line of authoritarianism back. He wants to reclaim that land, not just
Ukraine, but Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, eastern Europe, and
the Baltics.
We must support democracy or freedom. If we don't, ours is at risk.
Ronald Reagan's words are meaningless if we allow Russia to reestablish
authoritarianism and move that line of democracy back to where the
Soviet Union had claimed eastern Europe and had imposed
authoritarianism on people's lives.
This is not just an American mission. The world is with us.
Democracies are with us. This chart shows the amount of contribution of
the total aggregate of all aid. This is up on my official website, by
the way. If you click on ``Ukraine,'' you will see these, along with a
report that verifies this information. The United States is not the
major contributor of total aid.
What is more important, when you get to military aid, the United
States is less than half of all military aid. The world's democracies
are standing against Russia for democracy, against authoritarianism,
and the United States, the light of the world for democracy, needs to
be there and needs to support the Ukrainian people against these
atrocities.
If you go to my website, you will see the documentation that supports
this. We are $42 billion. Our democracy allies are over $50 billion. We
need to stay in the fight by supplying Ukrainians the weapons that they
need for
[[Page H4773]]
them to be in the fight, the fight for democracy.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Granger), I move to strike the last word.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, something that has to be recognized on
this floor is that my colleague from Georgia who is presenting this
amendment has been transparent, open, and clear from day one, and that
is something that is not always seen in this body. I think we need to
recognize that, and I think that is something that has to be respected
regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with her. I think that is
something that has to be recognized.
Now, I just want to take the opportunity to talk a little bit about
the bill. I clearly recognize my colleague's frustration--and it is not
only her--about the administration's lack of transparency, lack of
articulation, lack of a strategy how the funds have been used, the
communication from A to Z, I get that.
While there are no funds directed for Ukraine in this bill, there are
a lot of directives in this bill for accountability for any assistance
going to Ukraine.
Let me just take a moment to read the list of requirements that must
be completed before one single penny would be used to go to Ukraine
from this bill now or later or whenever:
A strategy within 90 days. We have not gotten that from the
administration;
In-person monitoring of all programs;
Cost-matching requirements, making sure that other donors must do
more, more than the United States before one penny can go out;
A certification that comprehensive oversight mechanisms are in place;
A notification to Congress so we can assess how those funds may be
used;
An obligation report every 90 days accounting for all moneys
provided;
An oversight report every 90 days detailing any allegations of waste,
fraud, and corruption, and how those will be addressed;
Finally, and I think this is key, all reports must be clearly posted
on the internet so that every American can see where their taxpayer
dollars are going.
The reason that I am so optimistic and so gung ho about this bill is
that we need to pass this bill in order to have these requirements in
order to not have a blank check. I am looking at not only the short
term but also the long term. We need to have accountability. We need
conditions. We need oversight. We need to take away as much flexibility
from the administration. That is precisely what we are attempting to do
in this bill.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
{time} 1215
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Greene).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Georgia
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 43 Offered by Ms. Greene of Georgia
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 43
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Secretary of State to initiate a drawdown and
delivery of defense articles and services from Department of
Defense stocks to Ukraine.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Georgia (Ms. Greene) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Georgia.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit the
Secretary of State from using funds to initiate a drawdown and delivery
of defense articles and services from the Department of Defense stocks
to Ukraine.
Those stockpiles of our equipment and weapons are for the United
States of America and should not be sent to Ukraine. I will reiterate
and remind everyone: Ukraine is not the 51st State.
Just this past weekend when we were sent home, I had an emergency
townhall in my district, and many of my constituents showed up. Most of
them were veterans, and they made it very clear to me that they would
rather fight a war at our southern border against the Mexican cartels
that are leading an invasion into our country, thousands and thousands
every single day smuggling deadly fentanyl across our border, and many
other drugs, killing 300 Americans every single day, than they would
ever support a single penny of their hard-earned dollars to go fight a
war in Ukraine.
Our veterans are fed up, and there are 22 million of them in this
country. They want our border defended.
The Secretary of State plays a central role in the initiation and
coordination of these drawdowns, and they put Ukraine first.
Since August 2021, the Secretary has exercised authority delegated by
the President to direct 44 drawdowns of defense articles and services
from the United States Department of Defense to Ukraine, which, by the
way, is not the 51st State.
As our southern border is being invaded every day, Joe Biden and
Antony Blinken are shipping all of our weapons and equipment to
Ukraine.
Nearly a week ago, President Biden announced that the Department of
Defense is sending an additional security assistance package valued up
to $325 million more American hard-earned tax dollars, which would
include AIM-9M missiles for air defense; additional ammunition for High
Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems; Avenger air defense systems; 50-
caliber machine guns to counter unmanned aerial systems; 155-millimeter
artillery rounds; 105-millimeter artillery rounds; tube-launched,
optically tracked, wire-guided missiles; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor
systems; over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition; 59 light
tactical vehicles; demolition munitions for obstacle clearing; and
spare parts, maintenance, and other field equipment.
By the way, that also goes for our paying farmers in Ukraine while
our farmers are going broke and paying small businesses in Ukraine
while our small businesses are going out of business under Biden's
ridiculous inflation. This is America last across the board.
This security assistance package will utilize assistance previously
authorized under Presidential drawdown authority for Ukraine.
This is utterly disgraceful. This administration will continue to
deplete our military readiness and strength in favor of fueling another
forever war in Ukraine that the American people no longer support.
While our own country is weakened and destabilized by the daily
invasion of our border at the southern border and the northern border,
and while we go even further in debt fighting Russia in Ukraine, not
even defending our own border, China is getting stronger.
They are beating us economically. They are growing their military,
growing their equipment. They are not wasting it on some other country
defending their border. They are saving it up to fight us.
I am sick and tired of hearing we have to fight Ukraine in order to
stop China from invading Taiwan. That is the biggest lie that is being
told to the American people.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, Russia's brutal and unprovoked
attack on Ukraine is not just a threat to Ukraine, as I said earlier,
and its neighbors but also to the world.
If Russia succeeds in its aggression, other provoked attacks are
inevitable.
[[Page H4774]]
Drawdown of existing equipment has proven to be the fastest and most
efficient way to get defensive weapons--mind you, defensive weapons--to
Ukraine.
We must continue to ensure Ukraine has the military equipment and
materiel it needs to defend itself. This materiel is determined by the
Department of Defense not to be needed domestically, and supplying it
to Ukraine will not endanger U.S. readiness.
The stakes could not be higher. Russia will not stop with Ukraine if
the resolve of the world is not clear.
Remember, this is the most efficient way to get defensive weapons to
Ukraine.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Gaetz).
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, the reason we are here debating this issue is
because my colleague from Georgia (Ms. Greene) has found there are
distributions that could possibly go to Ukraine. She is fighting
admirably, often alone, and she is the reason that we are actually
making some progress in this Congress to comport the will of this body
to the will of the American people who think we have sent too much to
Ukraine.
$115 billion--it is inflationary, escalatory, and could likely lead
to an accident that could sleepwalk us into world war III.
I am in strong support of the Taylor Greene amendment and all of her
amendments to engage in this very noble effort to stop the United
States from funding the war in Ukraine.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as a 31-year Army veteran
myself, and the grateful father of four sons who have served overseas,
I want America to maintain peace through strength.
As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand
we have the capability of drawdown not reducing our capabilities.
When concerns were expressed over providing 31 Abrams tanks to
Ukraine would reduce our defense, I quickly researched and found that
we have 8,000 tanks available, and actually, the 31 were in excess.
I support the proven Republican policies of Barry Goldwater and
Ronald Reagan of: Why not victory over dictators?
Peace through strength with American leadership has led to the
largest number of nations living in democracy in world history as
fascism was defeated and communism crushed.
Ukraine should receive the weapons it needs to achieve victory of
restoring Ukrainian territorial integrity.
The alliance of war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and
the Tehran regime must be stopped before they achieve death to Israel,
death to America.
I urge as quickly as possible that we provide the equipment that can
bring peace to the region by bringing equipment to the people of
Ukraine, who are so bravely fighting back against the war criminal
Putin. Therefore, I oppose this amendment.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Greene).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Ms. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Georgia
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 44 Offered by Mr. Steube
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 44
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be made available for Lebanese Armed Forces.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Steube) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to answer the
question: How can we justify appropriating America's hard-earned
taxpayer dollars to a foreign military that emboldens Hezbollah in
their reign of terror and hate for America?
Hezbollah's influence runs rampant throughout the Lebanese
Government. Even advocates of aid to the Lebanese military concede that
Hezbollah's influence runs rampant throughout the Lebanese Government.
What matters is not the addressee. It is the address--Hezbollah's
house.
Money is fungible, and we are pumping cash and hard currency into a
terror haven infested with terror finance and corruption.
Even those advocating to aid the Lebanese military say that this is
an entity unwilling and unable to counter Hezbollah. Then why are we
wasting our money?
My amendment ensures that none of Americans' taxpayer dollars may be
made available for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces is a policy that has been in
place since 2006, essentially on autopilot. Since then, the U.S. has
provided more than $3 billion to the Lebanese military, supposedly to
build up state institutions as a counterweight to Hezbollah, but with
little to show in return.
In fact, Lebanon has come more under the sway of Hezbollah and Iran
today than when the U.S. began funding Lebanon's military. Hezbollah's
chief Christian ally, the Free Patriotic Movement, is the political
party literally in control of Lebanon's defense ministry.
This is a policy on autopilot that gets renewed every year without
Congress really having a chance to review this funding and ask whether
this is a good place to spend taxpayer dollars and is in our national
interests.
We are funding an army that just yesterday shot smoke bombs at
Israeli troops, which it called enemy troops. This should not be a
partisan issue.
Anyone who takes a look at this issue objectively, I think, will have
serious questions about why we continue to fund the Lebanese Armed
Forces, one of the most corrupt and bloated armies in the world. Most
of Lebanon's military expenditures go to personnel salaries and
benefits, a whopping 93 percent compared to 29 percent in the United
States. These benefits include healthcare, maternity leave,
compensation in the event of death, as well as domestic workers and
drivers for high-ranking officers.
For example, the Lebanese military, which consists of 80,000
soldiers, has 400 generals that are extremely highly paid, while the
U.S. Army has a force of half a million but just 295 generals.
This did not stop the Biden administration from notifying Congress
last year that it was repurposing $67 million in aid to the Lebanese
military in order to provide them with livelihood support, which just
funds their salaries even more.
Rather than funding armed Mercedes and other luxury goods for
Lebanese generals, we should be funding our southern border.
Lebanon's financial system is soaked in Hezbollah money laundering
and financial crimes, and the terrorist group touches almost every
facet of life in that country.
It is impossible that any administration could vet all the recipients
of these taxpayer dollars and their families because there are no
controls. There is no way to know how these individuals use this money.
Some of it could flow through Hezbollah exchange houses or possibly be
spent in Hezbollah-run businesses.
Mr. Chair, by safeguarding the actions of Hezbollah and other terror
groups, the Lebanese Armed Forces fuels Iran's mission to kill American
troops and wipe Israel off the map. I can't justify funding such
horrific activity.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to recognize the dangers of
funding the
[[Page H4775]]
Lebanese Armed Forces by voting for my amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
{time} 1230
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, there is no doubt that Lebanon is
in full-blown crisis. It has lacked an elected leader for almost a
year. Its economy is crippled and the presence of Hezbollah, as both an
armed actor and a political party, remains a challenge to national
unity. At the same time, it hosts 1.5 million refugees from Syria.
However, the Lebanese Armed Forces are considered by many to be the
only functioning institution in Lebanon, transcending sectarian
divides. This is largely thanks to the successful United States program
to train and equip it.
The Lebanese Armed Forces are broadly respected and traditionally
played an important role in promoting national unity with neutrality
and moderation. They have also been instrumental in maintaining
domestic security and in counterterrorism by tackling threats posed by
groups like ISIS or al-Qaida.
The United States needs to pursue a democratic, pluralistic, and
sovereign Lebanon and the Armed Forces are a key part of that.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chair, I can only say that the gentleman from Florida
is mistaken.
His amendment assumes the Lebanese Armed Forces is in some sort of
disarray. It is not. It is the most respected institution in Lebanon.
It assumes that it has not been a good steward of the moneys it has
received. It has. As a matter of fact, multiple administrations have
certified that not a single piece of capital equipment has ever been
lost.
It assumes that somehow it is in the pocket of Hezbollah.
I was in Lebanon and Israel in 2006 as Israel tried to defeat
Hezbollah and did not. Since that time, we have continued to bolster
the Lebanese Armed Forces to fight ISIS and other forces and to
maintain a situation in which American oversight is possible, both
military and civilian, because of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Lebanon is in an economic free fall, and as a result of its economic
situation, there is direct aid, but that aid is not highly paid
generals. As a matter of fact, if not for our aid, it would be likely
that most members of the Lebanese Armed Forces would not report to
their barracks. They would not have enough money for gasoline. This
essential support was necessitated based on their economic downfall.
We who visited Lebanon, who have seen it, and worked with both our
military and our State Department stand behind the necessity and the
accuracy of this support aid, and we oppose the amendment.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Chair, I am proud to represent over 8,000 Lebanese-
American families in my district in Illinois who care deeply about our
U.S. national security.
The longstanding U.S. military investment in the independent Lebanese
Armed Forces, known as the LAF, has worked to support U.S. security
interests in the greater Middle East for over 15 years.
As the co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, we work
closely with the brave men and women in the U.S. military to ensure
robust and stringent oversight of the U.S. investment into the LAF and
any other U.S. foreign military funding abroad.
The stability of the LAF is important not only to the security of
Lebanon, but also to their neighboring countries, and the United
States.
The LAF works to prevent the furtherance of terrorist and extremist
groups like Hezbollah and ISIS in the region. It fights against
weapons, drugs, and human smuggling, and maintains stability in a
country that is a ripe target for terrorists and malign actors.
I agree with my colleagues that we must be stewards of taxpayer money
and reduce wasteful government spending. However, we must also support
successful policies that continue to return on our investment in
protecting the long-term U.S. security interests here at home. That
investment in the LAF has helped to promote U.S. interests in the
greater Middle East and in Lebanon.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chairman, it was described on the other side as ``a
full-blown crisis in Lebanon.''
Why in the world would we send money to a country that is recognized
by the opposition to be in a full-blown crisis?
Another speaker said that this money goes to pay the salaries of
Lebanese soldiers, and if they don't receive this money, some of these
soldiers won't be able to pay for their gas.
Since when is it the American taxpayer's responsibility to pay the
salaries of Lebanese soldiers and ensure that they can get from one
place to another?
Mr. Chair, I watched the debate on this floor for the last week or
so, and we are giving money to the Palestinians, we are giving money to
Lebanon. We are going to give $500 million to Jordan for their border
wall while we are not securing our border.
The American people are sick and tired of giving foreign governments
money and not putting America first.
We have a $33 trillion deficit and we are more concerned in this body
about giving money to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Ukraine, you name it.
Mr. Chair, it is time to put America first. The American people have
asked us to do that and that is why they put us in charge of the House.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Moylan). The question is on the amendment
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida will
be postponed.
Amendment No. 45 Offered by Mr. Steube
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 45
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to provide assistance to Iraq.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Steube) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chairman, as stewards of America's hard-earned
taxpayer dollars we must ensure such funds only go to measures that
advance our American interests, not undermine them.
We have provided billions of dollars to Iraq and lost thousands of
lives in that country. Yet in 2023, we continue to provide a blank
check to Iraq, despite this country going more and more against
American interests and essentially having transformed into a proxy of
Iran.
My amendment ensures that none of Americans' taxpayer dollars may be
used to provide assistance to Iraq.
I served in Iraq, and while protecting American interests in the
region remains critical, Mr. Chairman, we cannot justify sending our
taxpayer dollars to a nation while being unable to safeguard those
dollars from exploitation by Iran, ISIS, and other terror groups.
[[Page H4776]]
Iran's influence over Iraq is so emboldened that Iraq essentially
serves as a proxy state and haven for Iranian terror activity. Iraq has
a literal arrest warrant out for President Trump for killing terrorist
Soleimani.
The Pentagon has disclosed that large portions of Iraq's security
forces are overrun by Iranian-backed militants and IRGC terrorists, the
same ones who continue to target American troops in the Middle East and
the same ones who attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in 2019--and we
want to send them money.
This money is not countering terrorism. On the contrary, throwing
millions of dollars at a country which uses its resources to put
Iranian-backed terrorists on the payroll, terrorists which have
attacked U.S. forces and the U.S. Embassy is insane.
This does not give us leverage. It is unacceptable to appropriate
American dollars for these purposes with the likelihood that some of
the money could fall into the hands of the terrorists. This bill should
support our diplomats and servicemembers serving overseas, not threaten
them.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to recognize these dangers by
voting for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, there is no mistake with regard
to the error the United States made in going to war with Iraq in 2003,
a decision which I proudly opposed. It was based on lies that there
were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and we knew there were none.
While two decades have passed since then, there is little doubt about
the trauma experienced by the country that is still felt to this day.
Iraqis fell prey to conflict and instability, experienced an
uncountable number of deaths and displacements, and saw an erosion of
their basic services, including health and education. An entire
generation of children grew up in a chaos-filled environment with war
and the subsequent emergence of terrorist groups and militias.
That is as a result of the United States' invasion of Iraq, which I
believe, as I remember it, very few, if any, Republicans, opposed.
There were about 133 Democrats opposing this.
We cannot walk away from our responsibility to help Iraq, now a key
partner in the Middle East. As Secretary Blinken has said, America's
greatest strategic asset lies within the alliances and partnerships we
have with other nations. In partnership with Iraq, we have worked to
ensure a stable, prosperous, and democratic country, which, quite
frankly, we in many ways destroyed.
Our assistance to Iraq mitigates extremism through programming that
promotes mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding, provides support
to the recovery of religious and ethnic minorities liberated from ISIS,
including Christians and the Yezidis, and supports private-sector
development and increased work opportunities, especially for women and
youth.
Additionally, USG-supported stabilization programs have enabled the
return of nearly 5 million internally displaced persons to return to
their communities of origin. But nearly 1.2 million people remain
displaced, including 200,000 Yezidis who survived genocide at the hands
of ISIS. USAID assistance is critical to restoring essential services
and increasing stability among these vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, our continued assistance in Iraq is vital to ensure the
defeat of ISIS by supporting the reintegration of Iraqis repatriated
from northeast Syria which meets the national security priority of the
U.S. Government's Al-Hol Action Plan.
It is in the security interests of the United States to continue
supporting Iraq, as well as our moral responsibility not to abandon our
partnership, especially with the unnecessary invasion and war in Iraq,
which many of us opposed.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).
Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for the time to
speak on this.
Mr. Chair, I do rise in opposition to the amendment. I thank my
colleague, Mr. Diaz-Balart, for his leadership on this bill.
While certainly I don't think any of us want to send American dollars
to terrorists, I do think this amendment would effectively prohibit
financial assistance that is key to protecting religious minorities in
Iraq.
The United States has long been committed to the principle of
promoting religious freedom around the world, and our support for Iraq
for this purpose is no exception.
As drafted, the amendment before us would eliminate critical
assistance to religious and ethnic minorities, including the Christian
Chaldeans, and Assyrians, who have been victims of ISIS extremism and
genocide.
These people have suffered unspeakable harm in the name of their
religious beliefs and, quite honestly, their Christian beliefs, and
they need our assistance.
Mr. Chair, I would encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have
remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman has 30 seconds remaining.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chairman, in short, this is overly broad. I repeat,
this is overly broad. As an American of Arab ancestry and a Christian,
it would, in fact, be devastating to the Chaldean community left in
Iraq. It would be devastating to the support we have.
Mr. Chair, representing one of the largest Chaldean districts in the
country, I meet every week with these Iraqi Christians who know that
their families depend on our continued engagement.
Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
{time} 1245
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, may I ask how much time I have remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Florida has 3 minutes remaining.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I had the opportunity to serve our country in
Iraq and had the opportunity to work with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi
police, and it all sounds well and good if we are going to send money
and it is going to go to these Christian organizations, it is going to
go to these different individuals that we want to help; however, that
is not the reality of what is happening based on the things that I
originally said in my opening. You don't have control over that, and
having had the experience of actually serving there and working with
these individuals and the clans that are there and the groups that are
there, the money isn't distributed the way that we want it to be
distributed. You are seeing that in Lebanon, and you are seeing that in
all these foreign entities.
It is very interesting to me to stand up here and listen to my
colleagues who talk about cutting spending and that we have a deficit
and that we have a spending problem in Washington, and they would
rather prioritize moneys to Iraq, to Lebanon, to Palestine, to Ukraine
over the needs that we have in this country.
The people in my district don't understand it. When I talk to people
in my district, they don't get it. They don't understand why we would
prioritize sending our hard-earned tax dollars to countries that are
completely corrupt and hate us with no assurances that it is going in
the places that it is going.
Why would we do that? I just don't understand why we would stand here
in the current economic situation that we have in this country and send
money to foreign governments that hate us and try to kill us.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube).
[[Page H4777]]
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. STEUBE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida will
be postponed.
Amendment No. 46 Offered by Mr. Gaetz
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 46
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement the decision by the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change's 21st Conference of
Parties in Paris, France, adopted December 12, 2015, commonly
known as the ``Paris Agreement''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Florida (Mr. Gaetz) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, this amendment ensures that none of the funds
appropriated in this act will be used to administer the Paris climate
accord.
The Paris climate accord is the unilateral surrender of the American
economy, not for the sake of any environmental improvement; it merely
uses the veneer of climate change to execute a permission structure for
some of the dirtiest countries in the world, for some of the greatest
polluters to be able to benefit at the expense of the United States.
The Paris climate accord represents a circumstance where we were dead
money at the table, putting up cash in exchange for economic
development in faraway lands that would not benefit our people.
This was a globalist enterprise. It was America last, and U.S.
taxpayers should not be funding the Paris climate accord. That is the
amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, it is very clear from the science
that the most existential crisis this the world faces is from the
growing climate crisis. Without intervention, our warming planet will
have irreversible negative impacts on the United States and throughout
the world.
Climate change has resulted in lives upended in Texas and Florida and
has led to extreme flooding in California and Vermont and throughout
the country.
Climate is not an issue that can be addressed by countries on their
own. Air, water, pollution--they do not respect boundaries or
sovereignty. The Paris Agreement in recognition of this brought all
countries together around joint goals achieved by individual country
plans.
As proposed, this amendment would significantly damage the efforts of
the United States to support developing countries as they pursue
efforts to implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
In addition, a wide range of U.S. climate and development programs
would be impacted by this amendment, and it would seriously impede our
ability to implement our obligations under the Paris Agreement. It
would also prohibit the Department of State from participating in
critical international climate negotiations.
The climate crisis poses threats to the stability of countries,
heightens social and political tensions, and adversely affects food
prices and availability. This is according to our own military.
The need for foreign assistance will only increase if we do not
address the significant driver of crisis around the world.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Florida for
this amendment because he raises some very important issues regarding
the Paris Agreement.
Even if it were true that global emissions would result in this
global apocalypse in the distant future, the truth is that most
developing countries are irrelevant in any climate model used to
speculate about temperatures 100 years down the road.
These countries have emissions that are nearly undetectable when
compared to the real culprits, which are China and other countries in
Asia which, by the way, are exempt for the most part from this climate
accord. So while our bill already prohibits funds for the Green Climate
Fund, the Clean Technology Fund, and other vehicles that could be used
to carry out this Paris Agreement, I agree with the gentleman that we
should ensure that no parts of this wasteful spending, this virtue
signaling, is allowed to continue.
I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time, and I strongly
support his amendment.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, many of our developing country
allies have made it very clear that strengthening their ability to
address climate change and the threat that it poses is an overriding
national priority, and they are looking to the United States for
support. I was in COP27 in Egypt a couple of years ago, and this is
exactly the message that was sent.
The FY24 House State and Foreign Ops bill willfully ignores the
changing climate and its implications for so many other global
challenges this bill is intended to address, including promoting food
and water security, global health, the protection of tropical forests
and other vital natural resources, and social and political stability
in strategically important regions.
According to the World Bank, climate change could put 132 million
people into extreme poverty by 2030 and could drive the internal
migration of an additional 216 million people by 2050.
Every one of our districts has been challenged by severe drought,
rainfall storms, and heat. We are continuing to spend more and more on
humanitarian needs caused by these disasters both domestically and
abroad.
We need to get ahead of these crises. Helping communities cope,
especially those with the least means to do so, is both moral and
smart. Why are we demonizing these programs and cutting ourselves off
from valuable tools?
These are not problems anyone can solve alone. We must work with
others which make cooperation and our multilateral tools work. That is
what we need, such as the Clean Technology Fund, the Green Climate
Fund, the Global Environmental Facility--all of these and more are so
important.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GAETZ. Mr. Chair, it is neither moral nor smart to drive our
Nation deeper into debt, to jeopardize the future of this country so
that we can engage in a globalist virtue signal.
If this global agreement were real and benefiting our country, I
think you would find more people that were open-minded about a desire
to ensure that we have an environment that is good for all of the
inhabitants of the planet Earth, but, unfortunately, that is not what
the Paris accord did.
The Paris accord required the United States to put up the cash, and
then it gave the exemptions to China and India and the worst polluters
on the planet Earth.
This isn't a question of whether or not we support the environment,
this is a question about whether or not under the veneer of
environmentalism we are going to kill American jobs, kill American
manufacturing, make our country less competitive, drive down our GDP
while China and India play us like fools.
We are better than that.
The underlying bill does great work to ensure that our resources are
directed to America's interests, not to the interests of these global
institutions.
Mr. Chair, I would encourage adoption of this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
[[Page H4778]]
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, just one point I would like to
mention with regard to the climate emergency, which it is.
Our young people deserve a future. They deserve a planet that is here
for them, and I think we need to understand that the work we do in this
House--or that we are not doing--really affects their future and their
lives and their livelihoods.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida will
be postponed.
Amendment No. 47 Offered by Mrs. Boebert
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 47
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. The salary of Linda Thomas Greenfield, Ambassador
to the United Nations, shall be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
utilizes the Holman rule to reduce the salary of U.N. Ambassador Linda
Thomas-Greenfield to $1.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield has been entrusted with representing the United
States on the world stage and has done a terrible job. She made the
decision to allow the U.S. to rejoin the anti-Semitic United Nations
Human Rights Council, which routinely ignores some of the world's worst
atrocities and grants membership to countries with egregious human
rights violations, giving countries like China, Russia, Cuba,
Venezuela, Pakistan, and Somalia an international platform to speak on
human rights.
Rather than focusing on China's systematic oppression of millions of
Uyghur Muslims or the inhumane treatment of women and ethnic religious
minorities across the Middle East, this council disproportionately
targets the State of Israel.
She was also involved in the decision to resume funding the U.N.
Population Fund account, which supports coercive abortion and
involuntary sterilization.
During her Senate confirmation, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield expressed
support for taxpayer-funded abortions in foreign countries.
In 2021, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield was quoted saying: ``White supremacy
is woven into America's founding documents and principles.'' In the
same speech she went on to say: ``We have to acknowledge that we are an
imperfect Union and have been since the beginning . . .''
Let's give this very important job to someone who loves America and
doesn't hate the values that our Founders ingrained into the strongest
country in the world.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and hold Ms. Thomas-
Greenfield accountable for her poor representation of America on the
world stage.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, as I said earlier, it is quite
despicable to target dedicated public servants and threaten their
livelihoods--public servants doing their jobs and carrying out the
policies of this administration or any administration. They deserve to
be commended, not demonized.
Our government is dependent on being able to attract the best talent
to bring their skills to public service, especially when in most cases
they could earn much more in the private sector. Who is going to be
willing to do that if their names can be dragged through the political
mud?
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield retired as one of our most distinguished
foreign service officers after 35 years of service to this country.
{time} 1300
She returned from retirement in order to take on her current role as
United Nations Ambassador, and she represents the United States
admirably each and every single day.
This is how we solve our policy differences? We should not make it
personal and about people doing their jobs.
I have worked with and have known Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. All
the unbelievable bashing of who she is, her credentials, and what she
has provided for this country is unacceptable and disgusting.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I hope that the gentlewoman and others really understand
that public service is public service. This is not a private
corporation. This is our Federal Government. This is who we are as a
country, bringing forth our efforts to achieve global peace and
security in the world. To continue to try to demonize our public
servants is something that hopefully our young people are totally
ignoring because we want them to come on board as Foreign Service
ambassadors on behalf of this country.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I once again urge my colleagues to support
this amendment to hold Ms. Thomas-Greenfield accountable. This is an
unelected, rogue bureaucrat, not a public servant. This is someone who
has not taken her role seriously, being involved in the decisions to
resume funding the U.N. Population Fund account, which supports
coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization. This is absolutely
grotesque to me.
There are many other reasons that I have listed here that we should
be utilizing this Holman rule to hold this unelected, rogue bureaucrat
accountable.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Mast). The question is on the amendment offered
by the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 48 Offered by Mrs. Boebert
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 48
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. The salary of Salman Ahmed, Director of Policy
Planning Staff, shall be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
utilizes the Holman rule to reduce the salary of the director of the
Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, Salman Ahmed, to $1.
This extreme leftist was a partisan hack for the Obama administration
for 8 years and, prior to that, spent 15 years pushing globalist and
anti-America First policies for the United Nations.
In his role with the State Department, Ahmed has pushed for
squandering tens of millions of dollars on misguided policy pursuits
like the
[[Page H4779]]
Green New Deal and climate change, which he wrongfully believes is an
existential threat.
Ahmed is a pro-China sympathizer who consistently criticized
President Trump for taking a tough stance on Chinese adversaries.
As the director of the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff,
Ahmed also played an instrumental role in the disastrous withdrawal
from Afghanistan.
This poor planning and not-well-thought-out withdrawal resulted in
the death of 13 American heroes, a shameful surrender to the Taliban
that left our own lifeless.
Ahmed is a principle player and one of the main reasons America has
become an embarrassment on the global stage. Our brave men and women in
uniform and Department of State public servants overseas deserve better
than Salman Ahmed.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and hold Mr.
Salman Ahmed accountable for his terrible performance and reduce his
salary to $1.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, let me just say, these amendments
really are disgusting. They are a mockery of our serious foreign policy
debates. They are harassing in many ways our public servants, and they
become about vengeance.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I see nothing wrong with taking a stand as
an elected official to hold unelected, rogue bureaucrats accountable.
The one way that we can effectively do that is through our House rules,
utilizing the Holman rule, to affect the salary of these bureaucrats
who are abusing their position, not taking it seriously, or should not
have been appointed there in the first place.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, these are not rogue bureaucrats.
These are public servants who are implementing the foreign policies of
the United States of America.
If, in fact, one does not agree with our foreign policies, then it is
up to Members of Congress to change those foreign policies, not
denigrate and demean our public servants.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 49 Offered by Mrs. Boebert
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 49
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. The salary of Constance Mayor, Acting Chief of
Diversity and Inclusion, shall be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment to reduce
the salary of the Department's acting chief diversity and inclusion
officer, Constance Mayer, to $1.
Simply put, Ms. Mayer is working in an office that should not exist
doing a job that should not exist.
In addition to hundreds of ambassadors, the Department already boasts
a whopping 55 personal envoys, representatives, and coordinators with
overlapping responsibilities.
Special positions, like Ms. Mayer's, often create both resentment
within the Department's existing bureaucracy and confusion among
foreign governments as to who is actually setting policy.
At the direction of Joe Biden's DEI executive order, the State
Department produced and published a 19-page equity action plan, the
first sentence of which proclaims: ``Addressing systemic racism . . .
is a core tenet of President Biden's foreign policy.''
The core problem with this plan is that it does not identify a clear
set of problems, and it does not prescribe specific, measurable
solutions. It simply cuts the American social justice template and
pastes it into a plan that is supposed to inform U.S. foreign policy
across the world.
This office is also functionally redundant. To the extent that it has
a mission, the responsibilities of the chief diversity and inclusion
officer overlap with the Office of Civil Rights, which is charged with
propagating ``fairness, equity, and inclusion at the Department of
State.''
This job is yet another unaccountable, ideologically motivated,
politically charged senior office with vague goals and no yardsticks
for measuring success.
The Federal Government's obsession with diversity, equity, and
inclusion needs to come to an end.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to remove
this unnecessary position that has proven to undercut our core American
values and waste more taxpayer dollars.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment would reduce the
salary of a career public servant to $1. Why? Because this individual
is the acting chief of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
The mission of the office is to build and support a workforce at the
State Department that reflects the people of our Nation. The State
Department is an essential component of our national security.
The gentlewoman said that no clear set of problems exist. Do you know
what? The clear set of problems is systemic racism, discrimination, the
lack of equal opportunity within our Foreign Service. That is all.
Conducting diplomacy that serves the interests and honors the values
of the American people requires a Department of State that reflects the
rich diversity of our Nation. Otherwise, if it doesn't, then that is a
very unfortunate and backward perspective, given the fact that
discrimination is still alive in America. It is alive and well.
Our diversity, once again, is our national strength. It is a
comparative advantage that we have for our engagement and leadership in
a diverse world.
This individual has over 30 years of State Department experience. She
should not be personally demonized and targeted for her work on behalf
of our Nation. What she is doing is trying to ensure that we honor our
pledge to live up to liberty and justice for all. It is going to take
some intentional work of the State Department to correct hundreds of
years of racism.
Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I am so proud to be an American, and I am
proud to be an American because the world watches as this experiment of
so many different communities--racial, ethnic, and religious groups--
have come together. By and large, we have been successful--our United
States military, our educational system, and our neighborhoods.
I am so proud to be a Houstonian, an eclectic city with so many
different, wonderful diverse communities, including the LGBTQ+
community.
Mr. Chair, I rise today with shock and dismay because my good friend
from Colorado has a train wreck of amendments against those of color
and diversity as well as the LGBTQ+ community.
Day after day, after all of these appropriations, these poison pill
riders of getting rid of the Office of Civil Rights, getting rid of the
Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is absolutely absurd.
[[Page H4780]]
Why? Because I lived exclusion in this Nation, but it didn't make me
bitter. We worked. We struggled. We marched. We died. Those in the
civil rights movement died.
Dr. King was killed because he insisted on a place where we did not
discriminate because of the color of your skin. Some have turned that
around, but what he was saying is that race exists, and it still does
in discrimination against people who are different and diverse.
{time} 1315
Why did I have honors classes, and yet no college recruitment came,
or I was not invited to any college recruitment in my high school? Why
did I not have an acceptance in any college because of not being drawn
to any college recruitment?
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I just want to clarify, once again, that the
diversity inclusion officer should not exist. This office is
functionally redundant to the extent that it has a mission. The
responsibilities of the chief diversity and inclusion officer overlap
with the Office of Civil Rights, which is charged with propagating
fairness, equity, and inclusion at the Department of State.
This is yet another unacceptable, ideologically motivated,
politically charged senior office with vague goals and no yardstick for
measuring success. That is why I am offering this amendment to reduce
the salary of the Department's Acting Chief Diversity and Inclusion
Officer, Constance Mayer, to $1.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time
remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California has 1 minute
remaining.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, it is not an ideological office. The
gentlewoman didn't hear. There has been racism, there has been
discrimination, and we have not accepted the fullness of the wonderment
of America. We now insult a full-time dedicated employee.
Before the Charlie Rangel Fellows, we could find little individuals
who are diverse in Foreign Service. We now have many because we reached
out and made a difference. This train wreck of attacking inclusion,
diversity, and equity is disgraceful, and my friend should stop it. Our
cities are better, our States are better, the Nation is better because
of it. This is a fine public servant, and I want to lift her up and say
thank you. The gentlewoman should cease and desist eliminating civil
rights, diversity, and inclusion because it hurts people, it harms
people whose very heritage is tied up to a history of racism and people
who died fighting for justice and equality for all of America.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 50 Offered by Mrs. Boebert
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 50
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. The salary of George Noll, Palestinian Affairs
Officer, shall be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
utilizes the Holman rule to reduce the salary of Palestinian Affairs
Officer George Noll to $1.
On March 13, the Office of Palestinian Affairs in the U.S. Embassy in
Jerusalem posted on Twitter photos of its director, George Noll,
visiting the Tomb of Lazarus north of Jerusalem.
The post referred to the tomb as ``an important religious site
maintained by the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Tourism.''
Mr. Noll praised the Palestinian Authority's ``work preserving
beautiful historical and religious sites like this throughout the West
Bank.''
We all know the truth. Instead of preserving beautiful historical and
religious sites throughout Judea and Samaria, the Palestinian Authority
is deliberately destroying them.
Shortly after this exchange, the State Department published its
Country Reports on Human Rights practices. The section on Israel was
incredibly hostile. This report attacks Israel for denying prison
furloughs to Palestinian terrorists, fighting terrorism, and preventing
unrestricted illegal immigration.
From Noll's praise for the Palestinian Authority, which is committed
to erasing Jewish history, to the State Department's denunciation of
Israel's right to defend itself and enforce its laws, the Biden
administration's abusive treatment of Israel needs to end.
As we all know, the Palestinian Authority is also known to pay the
families of terrorists lavish monthly pensions for attacks against
Americans and Israelis as a part of their so-called Martyr's Fund.
The taxpayers here in this country should not be footing the bill to
pay a government employee to praise a terrorist organization.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Once again, the target of this amendment has
been a career member of the Foreign Service for 26 years and served all
around the world.
Now, the majority already passed an amendment to defund the
Palestinian Affairs Unit at the United States Embassy. It is very clear
to me that what the majority is attempting to do is to decimate our
Foreign Service and its public servants, and I hope the country
understands what this means in terms of the lack of a presence
throughout the world in our efforts to achieve global peace and
security.
Once again, it is a shame and disgrace, but the pattern is here. We
understand the motives, and the motives are to decimate the State
Department.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 51 Offered by Mr. Ogles
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 51
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. 9002. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to provide assistance to Pakistan.
[[Page H4781]]
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, I would just make a point of personal
privilege. My colleagues and I, across the aisle and here with me in
the Chamber, thank our staff for being here during these long days and
long nights. We thank them.
Mr. Chair, in August 2021, as America looked in horror at the
beginning of what would soon become the greatest foreign policy
disaster of the 21st century, then-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan
praised the takeover of Kabul, joyfully proclaiming that the Taliban
had thrown off the shackles of slavery.
Some Americans may have been puzzled that Pakistan, designated major
non-NATO ally of the United States, would have been so bold as to
support America's enemies back in 2021.
However, a cursory look at Pakistan's history would clarify that this
country, a country whose many Islamist groups support attacks against
innocent civilians, has always supported terrorism and terrorist
groups.
The Haqqani Network, a designated foreign terrorist organization
whose members now play a role of kingmaker in Afghanistan, is a proxy
of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, and has been for
decades.
Along with many elements of the Taliban, the network was regularly
given safe haven in Pakistan to operate and evade apprehension. The
coordination between the Haqqani Network and Pakistan was so strong
that in 2011, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral
Mullen, described the network as a veritable arm of the Pakistani
intelligence.
The Haqqani Network is guilty of horrific terrorist attacks against
U.S. servicemembers. Perhaps not coincidentally, it was the Haqqani
Network who was put in charge by the Taliban of security of Kabul 1
week before the tragedy at Abbey Gate that claimed the lives of 13 U.S.
servicemembers and wounded many more.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, we all mourn for the loss of our brave
soldiers, not only at the time of evacuation, but also in the wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq and throughout America's history. However, the
State Department is the face of our international policies that will
create the opportunities for engagement and collaboration and change.
I chair the Pakistan Caucus. It is one of the largest caucus of
Members of the United States Congress who understand the relationship
that the United States and Pakistan has enjoyed for 76 years. What my
colleague speaks of is not the Pakistan Government or people.
Over the decades, both countries have built a multifaceted and
diverse relationship driven by cooperation in areas such as defense,
counterterrorism, trade, investment, agriculture, IT, energy, climate,
health, and education. Enduring the raging aspects of the Afghan war,
many Pakistan soldiers lost their lives fighting terrorism.
The cooperation is rooted in our shared democratic values that they
are still working to improve, and human rights as well. Today, the
bilateral relationship is moving in the right direction. This past
year, both countries have recently held dialogue on security and
nonsecurity areas. These include trade, investment, renewable energy,
climate change, health, education, as well as security cooperation,
counterterrorism, and defense.
The Pakistan diaspora has doctors and lawyers and business persons in
our communities, and they are contributors philanthropic to the needs
of this country. In the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan
assisted the United States in safe and secure evacuation of its
citizens.
I know some who went through Pakistan. I believe this is a
wrongheaded decision. This will have a negative impact. In the midst of
a horrific flood, one of the most catastrophic floods that happened in
years that impacted 30 million people and caused the loss of life of so
many, I was the first American to be in that area this past year.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, like my colleague, I too believe in great
relationships and dialogues, but when you are in a relationship with a
country that consistently undermines and attacks you, then maybe that
is not a relationship that is worth being in. Because of billions upon
billions of assistance to Pakistan, we learned a few things. First,
insofar as Pakistan goes after terrorists, it does so selectively. It
often targets those who are allied with our friends in India.
Second, despite the enormous financial leverage we have historically
had with Islamabad, we cannot obtain several key concessions, including
the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, a man who assisted in the capture of
Osama bin Laden.
Instead, Pakistan has conditioned the release of Afridi on us
releasing a known terrorist. Little wonder that President Trump
canceled $300 million in security aid to Pakistan back in 2018 due to
its horrific record of going after militants in the border region
between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
{time} 1330
They are an adversary in the region, and I am not talking about the
people, but the government in control undermines the United States, our
interests, and even our partner India.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time do I have
remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 3 minutes remaining.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Lee), the ranking member of the subcommittee.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, just let me make a couple of
points.
First of all, 2023 marked the 76th anniversary of our partnership
with Pakistan, the fifth largest country in the world by population.
Strengthening Pakistan's economy, education system, delivering
humanitarian assistance, such as the support we provided for the
devastating floods that they faced in 2023--I remember the gentlewoman
from Texas, we were in Africa, and she left Africa and went over to
Pakistan to help with the response to the devastating humanitarian
tragedy that occurred in Pakistan. I wasn't able to go with her. I
thank her for her leadership in representing the United States.
We must maintain the stability of the country and the region and help
prevent the spread of extremism that we see surfacing.
It is up to us to provide U.S. aid and assistance to Pakistan for
programs that promote peace and security. This is important, just based
on our humanitarian concern for people who have been impacted and have
to live through such devastation.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, all this amendment aims to do is continue
mainstream U.S. policy in this Department of State and Foreign
Operations bill.
The 2021 Country Report on Terrorism regarding Pakistan highlighted,
once again, Pakistan's continued listing as a jurisdiction with
strategic deficits in its AML/CFT system.
Pakistan does not sufficiently support anti-money laundering efforts
and it does not support laying waste to terrorists in the border
region. In a Gallup poll of Pakistanis it reflected that 72 percent of
Pakistanis see us as an enemy. We spend billions and billions of
dollars, they attack us, and they see us as an enemy.
There are many needs that this country has, that our veterans have,
that our borders have, and it is money that could be spent better
elsewhere.
There is no reason for us to continue to subsidize Pakistan or any
function of its government until it changes its posture.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, who has the right to close?
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Tennessee has the right to
close.
[[Page H4782]]
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman has 45 seconds remaining.
Mr. OGLES. Mr. Chairman, bleeding hearts can argue all they want
about wanting to support Pakistan despite their overwhelming support
for terrorism within and outside its borders. I would say our money is
better spent elsewhere.
For what it is worth, according to a classified Pakistani Government
document publicly released last month, the Biden administration
apparently encouraged the overthrow of the former Prime Minister of
Pakistan because he didn't want that country to abandon its neutrality
stance on Ukraine.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is important that we take a stand against
terrorists and terrorist states. If they are going to be our ally, if
they are going to receive hard-earned American dollars, then they
should act like our ally. That is all I am requesting here.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, how much time do I have remaining?
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Texas has 1\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, many of our allies and friends live in
tough neighborhoods, and I am very glad that Pakistan lives in a
neighborhood with friends; that is India and Bangladesh, that at least
they are engaged. They also live in the neighborhood of Afghanistan
where the Taliban has risen again. Pakistan soldiers have fought
against the Taliban.
You don't turn your back on a nation where 650,000 Pakistani
Americans are living here in the United States, they are contributing,
they are patriots, and they serve in the United States military.
We have been able to facilitate safe immigration and relocation of
Afghans with Pakistan. Pakistan has provided humanitarian assistance to
Ukraine, following our lead. Our bilateral ties are further
strengthened by the presence of nearly 650,000 Pakistani Americans.
Pakistan is a democratic state working against challenges. Yes, it
is. Its parliament has just completed its third consecutive 5-year
cycle without disruption. They are planning democratic elections.
What we need to do is to ensure that Pakistan has access to migration
and refugee assistance, economic support, international disaster
assistance, global health, humanitarian assistance, and economic
development. These are important taxpayer dollars that help Pakistan
become even stronger as a democratic nation and an ally.
For the issues my good friend has spoken about, diplomacy works these
issues out.
Mr. Chair, as the founder and Chair of the Congressional Pakistan
Caucus, I stand in strong opposition to this irresponsible and
dangerous amendment.
The passage of this amendment would be detrimental to Pakistani U.S.
relations and would put the livelihood of millions of people at risk.
The United States and Pakistan have a long-standing and enduring
partnership spanning 76 years.
Over the decades, both countries have built a multifaceted and
diverse relationship, driven by cooperation in areas including defense,
counter-terrorism, trade and investment, agriculture, energy, climate,
health, and education.
This cooperation is rooted in our shared democratic values and
convergence of interests on regional and strategic security.
The passage of this amendment would severely damage our unique and
longstanding partnership.
In its Congressional Budget Justification for FY 2024 Foreign
Operations, the United States State Department reported foreign
assistance to Pakistan of about $218 million.
These essential dollars fund critical programs in Pakistan that
include:
Migration and Refugee Assistance: $62 million;
Economic Support Funds: $50 million (``Funding will support stability
and political, economic, and judicial reforms in communities bordering
Afghanistan, increase private-sector-led trade and investment, foster
people-to-people exchanges, strengthen civil society, support climate
mitigation and adaptation, and improve gender equity and women's
empowerment'';
International Disaster Assistance: $47 million;
Global Health Programs: $31 million (includes funding on
Tuberculosis, Global Health Security, Maternal and Child Health, and
Family Planning and Reproductive Health);
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement: $25 million (these
programs in Pakistan ``combat violent extremism, transnational crime,
strengthen the capacity of law enforcement, expand access to justice,
and bolster the rule of law nationwide with a focus on the newly merged
districts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border''; and
International Military Education and Training: $3.5 million (these
programs ``emphasize professional military education, respect for the
rule of law, human rights, and civilian control of the military'')
USAID has a total of $82 million in obligated assistance for Pakistan
in FY 2023, which funds 110 activities in five major sectors:
Humanitarian Assistance: $40.12 million (15 activities led by
emergency food assistance at $21.5 million);
Economic Development: $15.5 million (13 activities include power
sector improvement at $7.5 million);
Democracy, Human Rights and Governance: $13.7 million (10 activities
include those on good governance and rule of law/human rights);
Education and Social Services: $4 million (13 activities focused on
both basic and higher education); and
Health: $1.2 million (6 activities mainly tuberculosis-related
projects).
Last year Pakistan faced a catastrophic monsoon season with floods of
Biblical proportions leaving over one third of the country under water
and directly impacted the lives of 33 million Pakistanis.
1,700 people lost their lives, one third of whom were children,
12,900 people were injured, 7.9 million people were displaced, and
there were devastating impacts to the infrastructure, crops, and
livestock throughout the country.
As the Chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I gathered members
and personally organized the first congressional fact-finding mission
to the hardest hit areas in Pakistan.
I have seen the devastation and human suffering firsthand, and I want
to clarify that Congress must continue to fund programs that help
support Pakistan's flood recovery efforts and humanitarian assistance.
By January of this year, the United States government had pledged
more than $200 million to support Pakistan's flood recovery efforts.
In June, USAID pledged an additional $16.4 million in additional
development and humanitarian assistance.
The support provided by the United States is essential to the
recovery effort, which will likely take many years.
Pakistan is a democratic state and remains committed to promoting and
protecting democratic values.
Pakistan remains a critical partner of the United States in
stabilizing Afghanistan and promoting peace and stability in the
region.
Our government should continue to engage with Pakistan, addressing
important issues related to human rights, democracy and religious
freedom, rule of law, to advance our shared commitment to these
universal values.
The amendment is not in line with the long-standing ties between U.S.
and Pakistan and its passage would disrupt the 1U.S. relations with a
partner in the region.
I urge all my colleagues to oppose amendment No. 51.
The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I strongly oppose amendment 51 to the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2024, which would prohibit funds in this
legislation from being used to aid the country of Pakistan. This
amendment is misguided and counterproductive.
I traveled to Pakistan in September 2022 to assess in person the
devastating flooding caused by record monsoon rains and melted glaciers
in the region. More than 1,000 individuals had lost their lives to the
flooding at that point, and approximately one third of Pakistan
remained underwater. Pakistan produces less than one percent of global
greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is at greater risk of ecological
catastrophes from climate change. The World Bank estimated that the
economic costs of the damage totaled over $30 billion. Therefore, the
international community should assist Pakistan in recovering from this
natural disaster that was massive in scale. I am grateful for the
relief funds that the U.S. has provided Pakistan, and I firmly oppose
what amounts to a blanket prohibition on further relief, as this would
include much needed humanitarian relief.
Blocking these funds will not only hurt Pakistan and prolong its
recovery from the 2022 floods, but also give China the opportunity to
provide much needed aid where American global leadership is lacking. We
cannot abandon Pakistan in this time of crisis, and I urge My
colleagues to oppose this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles).
[[Page H4783]]
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 53 Offered by Mr. Gooden of Texas
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 53
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. 9002. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used for the adoption or implementation of the Global
Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration set forth in
the annex to the resolution adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on December 18, 2018 (A/RES/73/195).
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Gooden) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I rise to urge my colleagues to
support amendment No. 53 to H.R. 4665 that puts an end to international
organizations circumventing our immigration laws.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration is an
anchor that ties down our Nation's right to determine our own
immigration policies and handcuffs our government from acting in its
own best interest. The United Nations should not be making immigration
laws for our country.
President Trump pulled us out of this compact; President Biden, I
believe, wrongfully put us back in. What this amendment does is it
restricts any funding that will go to compliance with this.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, the Global Compact for Safe,
Orderly, and Regular Migration supports humane migration around the
world. It is the first intergovernmental agreement to cover all
dimensions of international migration at a time when we are facing a
migration crisis, as my colleagues like to remind us.
The Global Compact's guiding principles and objectives encompass a
range of humanitarian, development, and other migration management
activities, most of which the United States Government supported long
before the Global Compact on Migration existed.
These activities include the provision of lifesaving humanitarian
assistance, countering trafficking in persons, border management,
access to consular services, and also dignified return and
reintegration.
In 2022, we saw a 21 percent increase in displaced people around the
world. The largest ever single-year increase, and the largest number of
people forcibly displaced in written history. It is only common sense
to work with others on this challenge.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I will quote Ambassador Nikki Haley,
who said:
While we will continue to engage on a number of fronts at
the United Nations, in this case, we simply cannot in good
faith support a process that could undermine the sovereign
right of the United States to enforce our immigration laws.
We don't need to outsource our lawmaking to the United Nations. One
of the compact issues that I have is that it strongly encourages
migrants who do not have permission to stay in the country of
destination, they are able to return to their country preferably on a
voluntary basis.
The United Nations should not be making immigration law for the
United States. If we are admitting--which I am happy to hear my
colleague admit--that we do have a crisis, the last thing we are going
to admit on either side is that it is, in fact, orderly, which is what
this compact seeks to achieve in an international body.
Mr. Chair, I support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gooden).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 54 Offered by Mr. Gooden of Texas
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 54
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. 9002. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used for the program of the Bureau for Population,
Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State
administered by the International Organization for Migration
and known as the ``Refugee Travel Loan Program''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Gooden) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, this amendment ends the United
Nations International Organization for Migration taxpayer-funded slush
funds, commonly referred to as the Refugee Travel Loan Program. While
this may be a noble idea, a lot of Americans don't realize that what
this money does is it first flows through the nongovernmental
organizations that then, cheerfully, take a cut of that, 25 percent.
Mr. Chair, 25 percent of all of these moneys go through NGOs and they
keep 25 percent. It is turned into a loan that is obviously never paid
back. These numbers of refugees are continuing to be encouraged, and
the caps continue to be encouraged to be raised by these
nongovernmental organizations that are making money off of this
program.
Mr. Chair, I would say to anyone who is for this, I hope they will
join me in reforming this program, but until then, I don't think it is
wise to spend American taxpayer dollars on something that is just
enriching these NGOs on the backs of the American taxpayer.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, the Department of State through
the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration funds the
transportation of refugees admitted into the United States Refugee
Admissions Program for resettlement to the United States through IOM.
Refugees admitted into the program and ready for travel to the United
States receive interest-free loans from IOM to pay for their
transportation from their overseas location to their domestic
resettlement site.
Upon accepting the travel loan, refugees sign a promissory note to
repay the loan over time.
The transportation is provided in the form of a loan, not a grant
because the core belief of the program is that refugees' financial
participation in making repayments against their debt will strengthen
their determination to make a success of their migration.
In a melting pot like the United States, which some have probably
forgotten, I shouldn't have to remind anyone of the valuable
contributions of refugees to our Nation. Maybe I do need to remind the
other side of this.
Refugees from Afghanistan, Burma, or Yemen are seeking a new, more
stable home, and they deserve our support.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, it is true that this is issued as a
loan, but
[[Page H4784]]
less than 1 percent of these have been paid back. These aren't real
loans; these are giveaways of taxpayer dollars to refugees.
I don't have a problem supporting legitimate refugees, but what
really bothers me is that these nongovernment organizations are taking
a 25 percent cut. So the refugees are not even getting the total amount
of this loan, but the enriched nongovernment organizations are.
That is why you hear from groups like Lutheran Family Services,
Jewish Family Services, and Catholic Charities that say: We are happy
to help with this refugee problem. We are happy to go down to the
border. We are happy to help facilitate this loan program because we
know that we are not going to be on the hook for any of this money, it
is the American taxpayer. In fact, we are going to get a 25 percent cut
of whatever fake loan we give out.
Mr. Chair, it is really un-American to force the American taxpayer to
fund this ridiculous program. The fact that we have charitable
organizations profiting off of it and encouraging more and more of it
is offensive to me, as well.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1345
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, once again, I guess I need to
either clarify or tell the truth about the loan repayment percentage.
My colleague indicated that less than 1 percent of these loans are paid
back, but I have to tell you, approximately 81 percent of all IOM
travel loan amounts are repaid within 10 years. As of the end of fiscal
year 2022, 84 percent of IOM travel amounts were repaid within 15
years. That is the truth.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I urge passage, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gooden).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas will
be postponed.
Amendment No. 55 Offered by Mrs. Boebert
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 55
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. 9002. None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to enforce or otherwise implement a requirement
for individuals traveling outside of the United States to
receive a vaccination against COVID-19.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
ensures no funds to enforce or implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for
international travelers.
This simple, straightforward amendment will ensure that Joe Biden's
bureaucrats can never, ever again implement or enforce another
ludicrous and unscientific vaccine mandate for international travel.
When this rule was in place from 2021 to earlier this year, it made
everyday life so much harder for so many people, from tearing apart
family reunifications to punishing companies overseas for doing
business with America.
Just a few stories my congressional office has come across include:
The mother of a Dutch tourist who died on the Appalachian Trail was
unable to come to the United States to collect her son's body;
A woman's fiance who lives in Canada has been unable to visit her on
American soil for the past 3 years;
A man working for a company in the United Kingdom who is unable to
travel to the United States for business meetings; and
A family in New Hampshire with Canadian in-laws has been unable to
have Canadian family members visit for Christmas in the United States
since COVID started.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have already started
ramping up the new round of COVID hysteria.
Last month, it was reported that TSA team members were told that they
will receive new guidelines on how the restrictions will evolve and
that by mid-October, pilots, flight staff, passengers, and airport
patrons will be required to once again wear masks.
Allegedly, administration officials were told that it was not a
matter of ``if'' but ``when'' COVID numbers rise, the Biden
administration plans to roll out a new round of COVID restrictions.
Moreover, numerous Federal agencies have reported purchasing more
COVID-19 equipment and have awarded contracts to private companies to
help enforce COVID-19 pandemic-era safety protocols.
Joe Biden's unilateral vaccine mandates posed an existential threat
to our system of government. It is long past time Congress takes our
Article I authority outlined in the Constitution to rein in Biden's
overreaching mandates that are trampling on our liberties.
The Biden administration fumbled the bag on handling COVID last time
around. We should all be concerned that hysteria regarding the new
COVID-19 variant will be used as justification to return to shutdowns,
mandates, restrictions, and so much more, despite the fact that the
evidence shows that these measures did nothing to combat this virus.
COVID is over. Let's ensure Biden's bureaucrats don't have the power
to impose unpopular and unconstitutional liberty-stripping vaccine
mandates again. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and put an
end to this COVID hysteria led by the ``branch Covidian'' Joe Biden.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, first of all, let me just state
a fact. President Biden and Vice President Harris saved many, many,
many lives.
Secondly, this amendment would prohibit the use of funds to enforce
or implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for individuals traveling
outside of the United States. Guess what? Let me just point out that
there is not and has not been a COVID vaccine requirement for travelers
outside of the United States. I don't know why we would mandate people
leaving the United States be vaccinated. The gentlewoman knows that.
Those are requirements usually, and most of the time for countries that
have those requirements, they are set by those countries for people
entering their borders.
Once again, this is disingenuous, and I am determined to tell the
truth about what the majority is trying to do and what message they are
trying to send.
Setting health requirements for travelers coming into the United
States may be an important health response, but that would not be a
decision by the State Department. I am not sure what this amendment
really is trying to achieve.
As the COVID pandemic continues to remind us--and, yes, COVID is
still alive and well--infectious diseases do not abide by national
boundaries. While some would like to act like COVID is over, it is not.
In the United States, more than 500 people die from COVID each
week. That is a fact. That is a fact. It is clear to those families
that COVID is not over.
New variants are an expected part of the evolution of viruses and can
be more aggressive, transmittable, or cause more severe disease than
the original strain. That is a fact. Our Nation's public health
officials need to have options available to them to protect our
communities as we continue to live with COVID, as well as other
infectious diseases. That is a fact.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's concern for
[[Page H4785]]
lives lost in America, and I would hope that the gentlewoman would join
our efforts in securing our southern border. This administration has
stripped title 42 away that prevented illegal aliens from coming into
our country who may pose some sort of threat with an illness or a
virus. If they were serious about COVID-19, this should never be
something that they would want to eliminate. Instead, it is American
citizens and those trying to travel to our country and from our country
who are restricted by these unconstitutional vaccine mandates.
If the gentlewoman is concerned about the numbers of lives being
lost, maybe she should join us in supporting our efforts to secure the
southern border, where there is a flow of fentanyl coming into our
country killing 300 Americans a day, making every State a border State.
It is hard to take any of the paper masks seriously when we know that
they don't work. It has been proven time and time again while they are
on their seventh booster shot and still supposedly getting COVID.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this amendment has nothing to do
with securing our southern border or fentanyl or anything else. What
this amendment actually does is misrepresent the actual reality of our
policy. There is not and has not been a COVID vaccine requirement for
travelers outside of the United States. This amendment would prohibit
the use of funds to enforce or implement a COVID vaccine mandate for
individuals traveling outside of the United States, which does not
exist. This amendment has nothing to do with the southern border or
fentanyl.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 56 Offered by Mr. Mooney
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 56
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. MOONEY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act under
chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.) (relating to the economic support
fund) may be obligated or expended for assistance for Mexico.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from West Virginia (Mr. Mooney) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West Virginia.
Mr. MOONEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to
prevent tax dollars from hardworking Americans from being sent to
Mexico allegedly in support of economic development until the President
of the United States of America informs Congress that Mexico has
decided to stop the free flow of fentanyl across our southern border.
My plan is a simple and strong response to the Mexican Government's
refusing to take action to address the crisis of fentanyl pouring
across our border. The Mexican President continues to falsely state
that fentanyl is not manufactured or consumed in his country.
On March 17, 2023, Mexico President Obrador said at a news conference
in Mexico City, ``Here, we do not produce fentanyl, and we do not have
consumption of fentanyl.'' Suggesting why doesn't the United States
take care of its own issues.
However, the numbers do not lie. The Drug Enforcement Administration
said in December that ``Most of the fentanyl trafficked by the Sinaloa
and CJNG cartels is being mass-produced at secret factories in Mexico
with chemicals sourced largely from China.'' There were 14,000 pounds
of fentanyl seized last year at the southern border and more than
11,000 pounds this year so far.
Fentanyl is pouring across our border because of the disastrous open-
border policies of President Biden and his Democrat allies in Congress.
Meanwhile, Mexico refuses to act against the cartels. Todd Robinson,
who is President Biden's Assistant Secretary of State for International
Narcotics, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in
February 2023, To be honest, the challenge that we have with Mexico is
their unwillingness to put sufficient resources into the fight against
fentanyl, and we are pushing them to do that.
Multiple administrations have pushed Mexico to do more, yet they
refuse to act. Now is the time for Congress to step up and use the
power of the purse to hold Mexico accountable until they change their
behavior.
Mr. Chair, this amendment is focused solely on economic aid. This
amendment does not impact narcotics interdiction and border security
assistance that we also provide to Mexico. Mexico should not be
rewarded with economic support funding when they refuse to stop the
production of fentanyl that has killed hundreds of thousands of
Americans. West Virginia, in particular, has been hit hard by the drug
epidemic, and a lot of the poison on our streets can be traced directly
back to Mexican drug cartels.
We need to secure our border, but we also need Mexico to partner with
us. Our practice of giving them more United States taxpayer dollars as
an inducement to fight against drug trafficking has failed. It is time
to cut off economic funding until the President of the United States
can report to Congress that Mexico is working with us to address the
flow of fentanyl across the border. I call on all my colleagues to join
me in supporting this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance
of my time.
{time} 1400
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Luttrell). The gentlewoman is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, U.S. relations with Mexico are
strong and vital. Our two countries share a 2,000-mile border with 55
active ports of entry, and our bilateral relations with Mexico have a
direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans.
I was born and raised in the border town of El Paso, Texas, and I
know the importance of the exchanges and support between Mexico and the
United States. Our significant cooperation on issues, including trade
and economic reform, entrepreneurship and innovation, and energy, are
as critical today as they have ever been.
Cutting ESF assistance to Mexico would have severe detrimental
impacts, crippling the work we do to reduce violence, build a better
business environment, and address the root causes of migration.
Without our continued support, our assistance to keep youth released
from prison from recommitting criminal offenses and being recruited by
cartels and other organizations would not be able to continue.
The work we do to level the playing field for investors, which
includes bringing greater transparency to corrupt business practices
and promoting growth in key sectors central to the United States'
businesses, such as semiconductors, for example, would be negatively
impacted.
Cutting ESF would undermine our work to create economic opportunities
in high out-migration areas in Mexico's least developed areas and
states.
A prosperous and safe Mexico should not only and will not only
benefit the Mexican people but us, as well.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mooney).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 57 Offered by Mrs. Spartz
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 57
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
[[Page H4786]]
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Secretary of State as a contribution to any
organization, agency, commission, or program within the
United Nations system except as authorized by law.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Indiana.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I have a very simple but very important amendment. All
this amendment says is that the Secretary of State cannot use any funds
in this appropriation that are not explicitly authorized by Congress to
be given to the United Nations. I think it is very important.
I have been in the trenches quite a bit with a lot of conflicts and
where people are dying in many countries.
The American people are very generous and help a lot of people around
the world, but we want to make sure that this money doesn't go to very
fancy executives that pay themselves big salaries in the U.N. and are
driving very fancy cars, eating steak dinners, and staying in very
fancy hotels while the people next door are dying. It actually should
go to the people that the American people are willing to help.
I think it is very important that unauthorized funds by Congress
won't be frivolously given out by the Secretary of State.
That is the intent of Congress, and I think this is a very good
amendment.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I recently returned from
representing the United States at the United Nations General Assembly,
and I would be happy to talk to any of my colleagues about the value of
our partnership with the United Nations system.
It is not perfect--no large bureaucracy is--but our ability to
improve its operations, make sure its stances reflect our values, and
have the United Nations serve its mission for peace hinges on the
United States being an active, participating member of the
organization.
Organizations like UNICEF deliver last-mile education and health
services in over 120 countries. If you have ever seen kids in South
Sudan--and I have many times--walking with their blue UNICEF backpacks
to school or visited with 1 of the 365 million kids under the age of 5
who received malnutrition services last year, you would know that their
presence is real and felt by millions of kids and their families around
the world.
This amendment would cut off contributions to UNICEF. What will these
young people think about the United States, quite frankly, when they
grow up?
I don't think they would be very happy to know that we actually cut
off humanitarian assistance, especially what UNICEF delivers on behalf
of the United States.
The United Nations Development Program worked with 26 countries in
2021 to implement national action plans to tackle radicalization and
registered 38 million new voters. Eighty percent of these 38 million
were women. They helped 82 countries adopt digital platforms for
commerce and governance, cutting down on corruption. This amendment
would cut off contributions to UNDP and many others.
I fully support the authorization of these entities, but we all know
that will not happen overnight. While we work toward that goal, we
can't cut off participation and support.
Once again, we are retreating from our responsibilities as a global
leader throughout the world.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Chairman, I think the gentlewoman has misrepresented
this amendment. This amendment says if Congress doesn't authorize these
funds, they shouldn't be spent by the other branch and given to the
U.N. It should not preclude Congress from doing its job and actually
authorizing the funds.
I tell you, this organization failed many people around the world.
Millions of people are dying in Africa.
When I talk to these people, they haven't seen the big input the U.N.
is doing. They failed to deter from conflicts, including Ukraine. I
haven't seen them on the ground in Ukraine or Poland.
We have major issues around the world. I saw what is happening in
countries in South America. Don't tell me we are not giving money in
the Middle East. I just went there. What is happening in Syria and
other countries--don't tell me that this organization didn't fail the
American people and people around the world.
If our Congress is going to continue this, we need to look seriously
at why they cater to Russia and China at the expense of American
taxpayers and their hard-earned money.
I think Congress needs to do its job. Before any money would be given
to this organization, they have to be accountable to the American
people, and they have to be authorized.
If Congress authorizes money and gives it to the Secretary of State
to provide to the United Nations, you can still do that, but we have to
start doing our job because a lot of people are suffering around the
world. If America doesn't stand up for them, no one else will.
The American people expect accountability for our hard-earned money,
and I hope that it can be on a bipartisan basis because there are a lot
of people who make a lot of money around the world over there.
They have very high-paying jobs, but a lot of poorer people,
including in Africa, are dying. I think we have to be accountable and
responsible for that, and it shouldn't be a partisan issue.
We actually just had a bipartisan codel, and both the committee chair
and the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee chair
were concerned about what they heard about the U.N. from real people,
not executives at the U.N. They have this job and protect their
salaries and live a very good life, but actual, real people are
suffering.
We are willing to help real people that are suffering, but we need to
put pressure on the U.N. to be accountable to the American people.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to stand up with the people, not with
the special interest groups that lobby for a lot of things here,
destroying our Republic and destroying peace around the world.
These organizations were created for some purposes, and they failed.
Maybe it is time to rethink what kind of structure we should have that
actually benefits peace around the world.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I guess I am totally confused,
then, because I don't know why we would want to cut off the funds for
children through UNICEF, UNDP, and other agencies when, in fact, the
gentlewoman should take this to the Foreign Affairs Committee. That is
where her initiative belongs.
In terms of the authorizing process, that belongs in the Foreign
Affairs Committee. It doesn't belong here on an appropriations bill to
defund programs that are providing badly needed malnutrition services
for children.
We can't just cut this off. These are appropriated funds the
authorizing committee authorizes, and that is where this belongs.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Chairman, I just want to say one more time that
Congress is supposed to authorize this funding. If we are not doing the
job, we shouldn't waive the rules.
Mr. Chair, are they doing their job or not? If Congress believes,
based on consideration, that these funds should be provided, the other
side needs to make the case. We can authorize these funds, but they
have to be accountable that the funds are used wisely.
All it says is unauthorized spending is not going to be waived by
Congress. We need to stop waiving and neglecting our job.
Maybe if we get a little bit more pressure, we will start doing our
job. We should be actually authorizing funds and appropriating funds.
[[Page H4787]]
If not, then we have to be accountable. I truly believe this is very
important for Congress to start looking at spending and start providing
proper oversight.
I truly believe that this is an issue that I hope will be supported
on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Indiana
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 58 Offered by Ms. Hageman
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 58
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to the Office of
Global Change of the Department of State.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wyoming.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of my amendment No. 58 to
H.R. 4665. This amendment would prohibit funding for the State
Department's Office of Global Change.
Mr. Chairman, the underlying bill rightfully targets U.S. taxpayer
dollars from being sent to globalists who foment climate change
hysteria and that provide no benefits to American citizens.
While the underlying bill provides temporary relief from these bad
policies, we must target the actual source of this nonsense. That is
why my amendment is needed.
The Office of Global Change is responsible for implementing and
managing the U.S. international policy on climate change. It is, in
other words, the executive office that was created with the mission
statement of funding our enemies and destroying our own prosperity.
This is the office that oversees all of Mr. Biden's misguided
policies, and we must, therefore, cut off the source of that funding by
targeting the money, not just play whack-a-mole whenever a new issue
arises.
Any American that is concerned about the globalist agenda
infiltrating our sovereign decision-making process should be concerned
about any office whose mission statement is ``global change,''
especially when this global change is all about disrupting and
destroying our reliable, clean, and affordable domestic energy
resources so that they can force a green dystopia that will cause
energy poverty on a massive scale.
The Office of Global Change seeks to force CCP-inspired policies on
the U.S. so that we become more and more energy insecure while the CCP,
the Chinese Communist Party, becomes more and more energy independent
and secure.
If this majority is to deliver on the promises that we made to the
American people, which means substituting radical climate politics for
actual real governance, we must identify and eradicate the source of
the problems. That means defunding the Office of Global Change.
My amendment would do just that.
Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to
this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, it is clear from the science
that the most existential crisis the world faces is from the growing
climate crisis. It is an emergency.
Without intervention, our warming planet will have negative impacts
on the United States and throughout the world.
This bill already ignores the changing climate and its implications
for so many other global challenges, including promoting food and water
security, global health, the protection of tropical forests and other
vital natural resources, and social and political stability in
strategically important regions.
According to the World Bank, changes in the environment could put 132
million people back into extreme poverty by 2030, only a few more
years. It also could drive the internal migration of an additional 216
million people by 2050.
{time} 1415
The State Department through the office that this amendment is
defunding must be able to work with other countries and use every tool
available to us to prevent the worst of increasingly ferocious natural
disasters, failing crops, loss of biodiversity, and the rise of new
diseases.
The climate crisis poses threats to the stability of countries,
heightens social and political tensions, and adversely affects food
prices and availability. This again, as I said earlier, is according to
our own military.
The need for foreign assistance will only increase if we do not
address this significant driver of crises around the world. At COP27,
this is what we heard over and over and over again, so it is critical
that we continue to fund the work of this office.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, again, I think what folks need to understand
is that the Office of Global Change is responsible for implementing and
managing the U.S. international policy on climate change, the very
purpose of which is to destroy the prosperity of the United States of
America.
As I listened to my colleagues on the other side talk about the
``existential crisis'' that we face because of climate change or the
other rote talking points that they use, what you find is that none of
those talking points, none of that hysteria is actually rooted in
science, other than political science.
Every decision that has been made by the Biden administration in
relation to energy policy has resulted in real, immediate energy
poverty for thousands, if not millions, of people across the United
States of America.
The failed policies of this administration have been visited upon us
from the very moment that Joe Biden took office when he started
canceling pipelines to be able to deliver affordable, clean,
accessible, reliable energy.
I find it to be absolutely astounding to listen to the other side
talk about issues of poverty and things around the world when we have
an administration who right now with their policies is creating that
very policy here.
We watch the border crisis and we see millions of people pouring
across the border. We see what is happening in our inner cities. We see
what is happening with people who have to make a decision about buying
food or buying gasoline. Yet, they want to talk about funding an agency
that the very purpose of which is to visit energy poverty around the
world upon millions and millions of people.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of amendment 58. We
do not need an Office of Global Change. We need to defund it. That is
the purpose of my amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the gentlewoman says that this
office is going to destroy the prosperity of America, but I would
suggest that this amendment will continue to destroy our planet. Our
young people deserve better.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
[[Page H4788]]
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Wyoming
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 59 Offered by Ms. Hageman
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 59
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to carry out or administer any Remote Work Agreement
of a domestically-assigned direct-hire employee if the
employee's alternate worksite is located outside of the
locality pay area of the regular worksite for the employee's
position of record.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wyoming.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of my amendment No. 59 to
H.R. 4665.
Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit State Department Remote Work
Agreements, which allow a domestically assigned employee's alternative
worksite to be located outside of the locality pay area of the regular
worksite.
Now that is a lot of words that may seem confusing, but let me
explain what I mean.
What it is at bottom is it is time for the Federal workforce to
return to work. This has been the policy of the Republicans in the
118th Congress majority, and my amendment would bring the State
Department in line with this stance.
Several concerns with Federal telework and remote work arose during
COVID. One concern rightfully echoed by countless Americans struggling
to make ends meet is whether Federal workers were receiving increased
locality pay based off the cost of living in larger cities while they
were actually working remotely from a different location where the cost
of living was much less.
Mr. Chairman, you can imagine my concern when I found that the State
Department's Foreign Affairs Manual defines its remote work agreement
as ``full-time core telework arrangements in which the teleworker's
`alternate worksite' is located outside of the locality pay area of the
regular worksite for the employee's position of record.''
Remote and telework for Federal employees should be used sparingly.
It should be used to accommodate health issues. It should be used
during a crisis. In other words, during select situations. It should
not be used as a hidden benefit for Federal workers so that they can
pocket extra cost-of-living cash.
Our Republican House majority should be committed to reforming
Federal remote work, so it is fair and reasonable and used only when
needed.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I understand the underlying wish
for all of us to get back to the way things were prior to the onset of
the COVID pandemic. However, a total ban seems a bit excessive.
The government as a whole is in competition with the private sector
for workers. The priority of where they live has changed for some
workers, and without being offered this flexibility, the State
Department may find it more difficult to recruit or retrain exceptional
employees, which seems to be the goal of some on the other side.
Technology now exists that was never contemplated only a few years
ago and opens new possibilities for how to be effective, productive
participants in any office, whether physically present or not.
We need to ensure that our national security and effective diplomacy
is conducted by the most capable employees. Options should be available
to the Department.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I think there is a misunderstanding on the
other side of the aisle as to the purpose of my bill. The purpose of
this bill is very simple. If you are being paid to live in Denver and
work in Denver and your cost of living is associated with living in
Denver, you should not be able to live in a little, tiny town of 300
people 200 miles away that has a substantially less cost of living but
continue to receive your benefits based upon the more expensive cost of
living that is in Denver, Colorado.
That is just the purpose of this. If you are going to live in a lower
cost-of-living area and telework, you shouldn't be paid as though you
are living in a large city. That is the point of this. It is very
simple.
It is about nothing more than fairness. I think the American people
expect our Federal employees to be honest about where they are working
and the cost of living that they have. I do not believe that it is
fair, and the American people don't believe that it is fair that we are
actually paying people to live in more expensive areas while they are
living in less expensive areas.
That is not what we agreed to as Congress. I don't believe that it is
appropriate, and I urge my fellow Members to support amendment No. 59.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 60 will
not be offered.
Amendment No. 61 Offered by Ms. Foxx
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 61
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available for any employee
of the Department of State to travel to or attend any
conference or event hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentlewoman
from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment.
My amendment is simple. It would prevent taxpayer funds from paying
for State Department employees to travel to or attend events hosted by
the Clinton Global Initiative.
The rationale is quite simple. The Clinton Global Initiative has
engaged in blatant corruption and influence peddling that would make
even Hunter Biden blush.
In perhaps its most famous episode in 2014, Hillary Clinton
approached the Moroccan Government about hosting a Clinton Global
Initiative conference in Morocco. The Moroccans fronted the money for
the event by funneling it through a state-owned enterprise that was
extracting and exploiting phosphates from a non-self-governing
territory: Western Sahara.
This sleight of hand amounted to condoning Morocco's sovereignty over
this disputed land.
You heard that right. It was a cash-for-sovereignty deal, formulated
just as former Secretary of State Clinton began her run for President
of the free world.
This deal was so rotten that even Huffington Post deemed FOX News'
investigation into this matter, ``a brutal, clean hit on Hillary
Clinton's campaign.''
Indeed, the Clinton Global Initiative's scandals are myriad and
include an episode uncovered by The New York Times revealing
undisclosed donations linked to the sale of U.S. uranium production to
a Russian Government agency.
As expected, the Clinton Global Initiative was unable to withstand
the scrutiny and shuttered shortly after
[[Page H4789]]
the 2016 campaign. That is, until late last year when the organization
reconstituted itself. Its operations are no longer dark, and this is
the first State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill considered
since its resurrection.
It has since morphed into a factory of radical elitist woke schemes.
Just last week, the Clinton Global Initiative convened in New York to
discuss how to reshape our economy to tackle the left's pet projects
that will make life for ordinary Americans more expensive and worse.
Given the State Department's enmeshment with the Clintons and the
Initiative, we need to send a clear message:
No more coordination with the U.S. Government.
No more conferences with corrupt governments at the expense of the
oppressed peoples of the globe.
No more representation and participation by the State Department--an
end to its commingling with official policy.
And hopefully, the beginning of the end of this corrupt
organization's influence on U.S. policymaking.
Mr. Chair, Americans simply can't afford more radical policies
purveyed by an organization that allowed the global elite to buy and
influence American foreign policy. Join me in condemning the Clinton
Global Initiative's misconduct.
Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, boy, is this the level we have
gotten to, to tell the State Department what meetings they cannot
attend?
Will we start saying what meetings they have to attend?
The Clinton Global Initiative is a platform for government
philanthropy, business, media, and academia to discuss identified
problems and brainstorm solutions. We should be encouraging such
collaboration.
The problems facing the world are daunting, and solutions will not
come from one place. Let's take good ideas from wherever we can and not
micromanage who goes to what meetings.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I see that my colleague has not refuted any
of the things that I have said about the Clinton Global Initiative.
Why in the world, again, would we ask American taxpayers to pay for
people from the State Department to attend these conferences when they
are likely not to gain anything positive from them and support a
corrupt organization?
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I understand what this amendment
does, and I don't accept the fact that it is a corrupt organization. I
do know the importance of these meetings and conferences in terms of us
coming together for solutions to lead us to global peace and security.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1430
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from North Carolina has 1\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, we have a terrific debt on our hands in this
country. We don't need to be spending any money that is not absolutely
necessary to spend.
Curbing attendance at meetings such as the Clinton Global Initiative
is a good way for us to chip away at that debt and to save the American
taxpayers some money.
I think this is an excellent amendment. I believe that my colleagues
will see that it is an excellent amendment, and I will continue to
advocate for its passage.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, finally, I will just say what this
does: It is another attempt to chip away at our diplomacy.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to offer this
amendment. I believe, again, that it is good for us to highlight this
organization and the fact that we do not need people from the State
Department attending its meetings.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from North
Carolina will be postponed.
Amendment No. 62 Offered by Mr. Issa
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 62
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), add the
following:
Sec. _. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be
made available to support the negotiations toward an
extension of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation
Protocol Between the United States of America and China.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Issa) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, we are in a competition right now--it is undeniable--with
a Chinese Communist Party-led country. We have been in that race for
more than 40 years.
Decades ago, we made a decision that engagement would change the
trajectory of China. It was a fair and reasonable attempt, but
throughout those years, as China has gained power, they have only
gained a ruthless disregard for the norms of our planet, including
those that they bid into.
They claim to be a fair trader; they are not. They claimed that they
would not steal technology; they did. As a matter of fact, they have
ruthlessly become the largest spy organization, not just on our
military and defense structures but, in fact, on our industries. It is
legendary the level that they have one-sided done to.
For that reason it is time for us to shift.
Under the last administration, we began shifting. Under this
administration we continue to recognize China as a threat. In those
years since we opened up our relationship, we did a number of things as
a planet, as a world, as countries.
Hong Kong and Macau were voluntarily given back, each based on a
promise to their host nations that they would continue to operate in a
way that was consistent with the democracies that had led them.
In both cases through a slow but steady change, that has been
completely eroded.
An old communist statement that I think bears repeating, is that when
we will be hung, when capitalism will be hung, they will be hung with a
rope that we sold to the communist. It is time to stop selling rope to
China.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acing CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this science and technology
agreement, or STA, with the PRC was extended for 6 months this past
August and does not commit us to a longer-term extension. The extension
will allow the administration time to amend and strengthen the terms of
the STA. Without the STA, the United States would lose valuable insight
into China's technical advances.
Additionally, many STA outcomes have been deeply beneficial to the
United States and the rest of the world. This includes determining the
importance of folic acid supplementation in preventing birth defects
and
[[Page H4790]]
decreasing China's air pollution which blows across the Pacific
contributing to our West Coast air pollution.
Opponents of this agreement cite concerns that the PRC would exploit
civilian research partnerships for military purposes; however, all
legitimate concerns about information sharing can be addressed through
modifications to the STA, rather than eliminating it entirely.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chair, earlier I attempted to quote Vladimir Lenin: The
capitalist will sell the rope with which we hang them. This is exactly
what we have been doing.
There is another truism that came from Einstein: Insanity is doing
the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome.
If the administration wants to negotiate something new and bring it
to us in a way in which we believe the outcome will be different, let
them do it. We simply cannot continue doing the same thing for decades
with currently tens of thousands of actual hits on our country by the
Chinese Communist Party to steal our technology daily--something that
our administrations have said.
It is no longer one of those instances in which they are stealing
ancient technology or they are trying to catch up. When one of our
Cabinet officers recently visited China, she arrived only to find them
demonstrating 5G technology and 7 nanometer chip technology in order to
show us that they had stolen the technology necessary to be cutting
edge in the cellular world and in chip production.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment would not allow only
renegotiation. That is why I oppose it.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chair, in closing, every day, this administration tells
us the nature of the kind of technology theft that is going on.
The conclusion of this amendment is simply the result of the very
statements made not by the previous administration but by the current
administration, and this supports the recognition. It is time to make
real change. This amendment does that.
Mr. Chair, I urge support of this amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).
The amendment was agreed to.
Amendment No. 63 Offered by Mr. Burchett
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 63
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. The salary of Setareh Sieg, Special Assistant to
the Director of Programming at Voice of America, shall be
reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, my amendment would do one thing: It will
reduce the salary of the special assistant to the director of
programming at Voice of America to $1.
This amendment follows an internal investigation which concluded the
special assistant to the director of programming at Voice of America
had misused Federal taxpayer dollars and lied on her resume. She was
fired under the previous administration and then rehired at the
beginning of this administration.
Mr. Chair, I submit to you that people who misuse taxpayer dollars
have no business being paid by taxpayers, and they should be fired.
We need to get rid of corruption in our government. My amendment
would do just that. I am requesting to reduce her salary to $1.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, once again, the subject of this
amendment has been a public servant.
This public servant has worked at USAGM for nearly 25 years speaking
truth to Iranians and promoting democratic values of American society.
Once again, if we have policy issues, let's discuss it, but, please,
we have to stop demeaning our public servants.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, I submit to you that the duty of folks that
work for the American taxpayer is not to lie and not to take taxpayer
money illegally.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee
will be postponed.
Amendment No. 64 Offered by Mr. Burchett
The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 64
printed in part D of House Report 118-216.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. The salary of David Kotz, Chief Management
Officer at the United States Agency for Global Media, shall
be reduced to $1.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 723, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak on this amendment, which
will reduce the salary of the chief management officer for the U.S.
Agency for Global Media to $1.
The chief management officer of the U.S. Agency for Global Media is
responsible for rehiring Setareh Sieg, who knowingly misused Federal
tax dollars and lied on her resume.
Whistleblowers have come forth to shed light on the rampant misuse of
taxpayer dollars, and the chief management officer at the U.S. Agency
for Global Media is responsible for rehiring the individual that did
so.
There should be no place for this conduct in public service, Mr.
Chair. I am requesting the salary of the chief management officer at
the U.S. Agency for Global Media be reduced to $1.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. LEE of California. The subject of this amendment, again, has
served in the government for 15 years, including time in two inspectors
general offices.
Once again, the other side continues to try to really destroy our
dedicated public servants. I don't quite understand it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Chair, we cannot continue to keep rewarding bad
behavior. This isn't some soccer game where nobody keeps score and
everybody gets a trophy. This is the American government. We are
responsible to the taxpayers for this money.
I submit to you, Mr. Chair, that this type of activity, if we turn
the other cheek, it will continue to run rampant in our society and in
our government, and we have got to start somewhere, Mr. Chair.
We are $33 trillion in debt, and paying people that are doing things
that are illegal should not be the makeup of this government.
[[Page H4791]]
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1445
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, bad behavior is not being rewarded.
Public servants are doing their jobs, and they are carrying out the
policies of the United States of America.
This is a personnel decision. All of these would be personnel
decisions. Unfortunately, they are being politicized, and it is really
a shame and disgrace that our public servants, who represent us so
well, are the subject of these despicable attacks.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee
will be postponed.
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Alford) having assumed the chair, Mr. Luttrell, Acting Chair of the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4665)
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations,
and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and
for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.
____________________