[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 161 (Monday, October 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2023

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chair, I rise today to include in the Record the 
following quotes from numerous non-profit, faith-based, and advocacy 
organizations expressing their national security concerns with the 
House Republicans' 2024 State and Foreign Operations spending plans:

       The Global Health Council, together with 70+ additional 
     organizations, stated the following:
       Global Health Council and 70+ Organizations
       ``As a community of global health and development 
     advocates, we are deeply concerned with the steep cuts being 
     proposed to the House State and Foreign Operations and 
     Related Programs (SFOPS) budget at a time when the world is 
     facing concurrent destabilizing events, such as the recovery 
     from the COVID-19 pandemic, further instability and food 
     insecurity caused by the war in Ukraine, and the continuous 
     threat of emerging infectious diseases.
       The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget being proposed by the 
     House Appropriations SFOPS Subcommittee falls woefully short 
     of the resources needed to address these converging crises 
     and severely undercuts critical global health and 
     humanitarian assistance programs, which are a key component 
     of how the U.S. engages with the world. According to the U.S. 
     Agency for International Development, these cuts would 
     reverse gains made to combat infectious diseases, including 
     through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
     (PEPFAR), programs to prevent maternal and childhood deaths, 
     and funds to support health workers and global health 
     security.
       This bill is a dangerous signal to the rest of the world 
     that the U.S. is ceding leadership on the global stage . . 
     .''
       The Catholic Relief Services released the following 
     statement (excerpt):
       Catholic Relief Services Executive Vice President Bill 
     O'Keefe
       ``Recognizing we are a blessed nation, strong bipartisan 
     majorities have long supported humanitarian and development 
     aid that has saved millions of lives, contributed to greater 
     stability and rolled back global health threats, such as HIV. 
     The House's current proposal is a departure from this legacy 
     and threatens the lives of many around the world as well as 
     our national security.''
       The United States Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) 
     released the following statements:
       Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper
       ``America's leadership in the world cannot be left to 
     doubt. When we don't lead, we create a vacuum that will be 
     filled instead by China, which has only increased its 
     spending on defense, diplomacy, and development. 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.''
       Admiral James Stavridis
       ``Senior military leaders have seen first-hand around the 
     world the risks of instability to national security, and we 
     know that responding to these threats requires more than just 
     a strong military. Significant cuts to our nation's civilian 
     national security toolkit in the International Affairs Budget 
     would chart a dangerous course for the United States at this 
     pivotal moment.''
       USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer
       ``Cutting nearly one-third of America's footprint in the 
     world would be dangerous to our national security and 
     economic interests--undermining America's ability to compete 
     and win on the global stage while ceding influence to China. 
     If enacted, this would be the lowest funding level for our 
     diplomacy and development toolbox in a generation at a time 
     when America is facing the greatest threats since the Cold 
     War . . .''
       The American Jewish Committee stated the following 
     (excerpt):
       American Jewish Committee
       ``We are concerned by drastic cuts to the proposed FY24 
     State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) 
     appropriations bill. At just 1% of the federal budget, the 
     international affairs budget is a strategic investment that 
     advances America's interests around the world. Strong, 
     principled American leadership in global affairs is the best 
     protection for our national security interests, the 
     preservation and advancement of democratic values and human 
     dignity, and the security of our closest allies.''
       InterAction released the following statement (excerpt):
       InterAction
       ``The proposed inadequate funding levels will forcefully 
     cut short life-saving programs and weaken the United States' 
     position as a global leader. The lack of investment compels 
     nations, including American allies, to seek alternative 
     solutions, accumulate more debt, or worse, go without life-
     saving support. As a result, the most vulnerable people will 
     face heightened risks, leading to a more unstable world and 
     diminishing the influence of America.''
       The ONE Campaign released the following statement 
     (excerpt):
       President of The ONE Campaign Tom Hart
       ``Foreign assistance, especially development funding, is an 
     incredibly important tool to advance America's foreign 
     policy, national security, and economic priorities. It is not 
     a handout--it is a strategic investment that can lift 
     millions out of poverty, turn the tide against deadly 
     diseases, strengthen our economy, and make America safer. 
     These shortsighted cuts will have long-term consequences, 
     jeopardize our investments, and hurt the American taxpayer.''
       The Christian Connections for International Health released 
     the following statement (excerpt):
       Christian Connections for International Health
       ``Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) is 
     alarmed and extremely disappointed that the House 
     Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations 
     is proposing to drastically reduce funding to life-saving 
     programs. We believe this abandons the U.S. leadership role 
     on the global stage and undermines decades of progress toward 
     sustainable health.''
       CARE USA released the following statement (excerpt):
       CARE
       ``CARE is deeply disturbed by the House Subcommittee-passed 
     version of the FY24 State and Foreign Operations 
     Appropriations (SFOPS) bill. This legislation would gut the 
     foreign assistance allocation by over 30% at a time when the 
     U.S. presence in the world is vital, we have the worst global 
     hunger crisis in decades, and record levels of mass 
     migration.

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