[House Report 116-78]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-78
======================================================================
STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL,
2020
_______
May 20, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mrs. Lowey of New York, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2839]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations,
and related programs, for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2020, and for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
Page Number
Bill Report
Overview...................................................
3
Title I--Department of State and Related Agency:
Department of State:
Administration of Foreign Affairs.................. 2
11
Diplomatic Programs................................ 2
11
Capital Investment Fund............................ 5
19
Office of Inspector General........................ 5
19
Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs......... 6
20
Representation Expenses............................ 7
22
Protection of Foreign Missions and Officials....... 7
23
Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance.... 7
23
Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service. 8
25
Repatriation Loans Program Account................. 8
26
Payment to the American Institute in Taiwan........ 9
26
International Center, Washington, District of
Columbia....................................... 9
26
Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and
Disability Fund................................ 9
26
International Organizations:
Contributions to International Organizations....... 9
27
Contributions for International Peacekeeping
Activities..................................... 11
29
International Commissions:
International Boundary and Water Commission, United
States and Mexico.............................. 14
30
American Sections, International Commissions....... 14
31
International Fisheries Commissions................ 15
32
Related Agency
United States Agency for Global Media.............. 15
33
International Broadcasting Operations...... 15
33
Broadcasting Capital Improvements.......... 17
35
Related Programs
The Asia Foundation................................ 18
35
United States Institute of Peace................... 18
36
Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust
Fund........................................... 18
36
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program............. 19
36
Israeli Arab Scholarship Program................... 19
36
East-West Center................................... 19
37
National Endowment for Democracy................... 20
37
Other Commissions
Commission for the Preservation of America's
Heritage Abroad................................ 21
38
United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom........................................ 21
38
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe... 22
38
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's
Republic of China.............................. 22
38
United States-China Economic and Security Review
Commission..................................... 22
39
Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission.......... 23
39
Title II--United States Agency for International
Development:
Funds Appropriated to the President................ 23
39
Operating Expenses......................... 23
39
Capital Investment Fund.................... 25
42
Office of Inspector General................ 25
43
Title III--Bilateral Economic Assistance:
Funds Appropriated to the President................ 25
43
Global Health Programs..................... 26
43
Development Assistance..................... 31
49
International Disaster Assistance.......... 31
57
International Humanitarian Assistance......
58
Transition Initiatives..................... 32
58
Complex Crises Fund........................ 33
59
Development Credit Authority...............
59
Economic Support and Development Fund......
59
Democracy Fund............................. 34
59
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central
Asia................................... 35
60
Department of State................................ 36
62
Migration and Refugee Assistance........... 36
62
United States Emergency Refugee and
Migration Assistance Fund.............. 37
64
Independent Agencies............................... 38
65
Peace Corps................................ 38
65
Millennium Challenge Corporation........... 39
65
Inter-American Foundation.................. 40
66
United States African Development
Foundation............................. 40
66
Department of the Treasury......................... 41
67
International Affairs Technical Assistance. 41
67
Title IV--International Security Assistance:
Department of State................................ 42
67
Economic Support Fund...................... 42
67
International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement............................ 42
69
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining
and Related Programs................... 44
72
Peacekeeping Operations.................... 46
73
Funds Appropriated to the President................ 47
74
International Military Education and
Training............................... 47
74
Foreign Military Financing Program......... 48
75
Title V--Multilateral Assistance:
Funds Appropriated to the President................ 51
77
International Organizations and Programs... 51
77
International Financial Institutions............... 51
79
Global Environment Facility................ 51
80
Contribution to the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development......... 52
80
Contribution to the International
Development Association................ 53
80
Contribution to the Asian Development Fund. 53
80
Contribution to the African Development
Fund................................... 53
81
Contribution to the North American
Development Bank.......................
81
Contribution to the International Fund for
Agricultural Development............... 53
81
Title VI--Export and Investment Assistance:
Export-Import Bank of the United States............ 54
81
Overseas Private Investment Corporation............
82
United States International Development Finance
Corporation.................................... 56
82
Trade and Development Agency....................... 60
84
Title VII--General Provisions 60
84
Overview
The Committee believes that our national security is
strongest when development, diplomacy, and defense are all
well-funded and equally prioritized. The Committee contends
that military power alone cannot solve all the problems
confronting the world today and therefore, prioritizes
diplomatic and development efforts critical to maintaining
United States global leadership. The components of this Act are
essential for addressing the challenges facing America's
national security. Disease, displacement, conflict, disasters,
terrorism, and economic strife around the world threaten the
security, safety, and well-being of Americans at home and
abroad. The Committee recommendation prioritizes strategic
investments in diplomacy and development and firmly believes
that by providing the Department of State, United States Agency
for International Development (USAID), and other international
agencies under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee the
resources they need, this Act will reduce global poverty,
strengthen democratic political systems, and create greater
political and economic stability in the world.
SUMMARY TABLE--AMOUNTS IN NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
FY 2020 Budget FY 2020 Committee Recommendation
Title FY 2019 Enacted Request Recommendation Compared with
Budget Request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I--Department of State and 11,932,001,000 13,709,868,000 17,183,586,000 +3,473,718,000
Related Agencies...................
Title II--United States Agency for 1,516,408,000 1,545,000,000 1,690,556,000 +145,556,000
International Development..........
Title III--Bilateral Economic 22,668,419,000 19,257,085,000 24,018,256,000 +4,761,171,000
Assistance.........................
Title IV--International Security 8,598,495,000 7,414,835,000 11,187,622,000 +3,772,787,000
Assistance.........................
Title V--Multilateral Assistance.... 1,856,697,000 1,522,205,000 2,338,280,000 +816,075,000
Title VI--Export and Investment -335,600,000 -725,395,000 -37,300,000 +688,095,000
Assistance.........................
Title VII--General Provisions....... -18,420,000 0 0 0
Title VIII--Overseas Contingency 8,000,000,000 0 n/a .................
Operations (OCO)...................
Total........................... 54,218,000,000 42,723,598,000 56,381,000,000 +13,657,402,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2020 for the
activities under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs totals $56,381,000,000
in new discretionary budget authority, which is $2,163,000,000
above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $13,657,402,000
above the fiscal year 2020 request. Recognizing a continuing
need in fiscal year 2020, the Committee provides $8,000,000,000
designated as Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism (OCO/GWOT) pursuant to the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (BBEDCA) which is the
same as the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. Such funds are
contained under the headings, in titles I through IV, of this
Act. The Committee directs that OCO/GWOT funds be used to
complement base requirements and not be limited to regional
restrictions or to specific operations in countries in
conflict, or areas of instability and violence. The Committee
intends that OCO/GWOT resources be used for, but not limited
to, activities that maximize efforts with respect to security,
stabilization, and peacekeeping programs; humanitarian
activities; and counter narcotics, counterterrorism and
counterinsurgency efforts.
Only a strong and capable Department of State and USAID,
with well-staffed embassies and missions, will effectively
represent the interests of the United States. To rebuild the
diplomatic and development capacity of our civilian agencies,
the recommendation provides sufficient resources to restore the
Department of State and USAID's Foreign Service Officer corps
and Civil Service workforce to levels achieved prior to the
Administration's hiring freeze, as well as the requisite
training, support, and security costs associated with these
positions. The diplomatic engagement and foreign assistance
accounts funded in this bill support vital development programs
that save lives and address the root causes of suffering, poor
health, forced migration, and conflict.
The Committee recognizes that international multilateral
programs are central to achieving United States strategic
objectives overseas. Multilateral development saves lives,
alleviates suffering, maintains our global leadership, and
helps open global market opportunities. The Committee believes
that investing in these areas builds resilience and promotes
stability that is essential to advancing American interests.
Additionally, the Committee recommendation provides permissive
authority for the Administration to use funds in this and prior
Acts to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. The
recommendation also strengthens conservation and environment
programs, and it continues funding for adaption and renewable
energy programs at prior year levels.
SECURITY PROGRAMS
The Committee continues its focus on supporting programs
that are critical to the national security interests of the
United States, as well as to the security of our allies and
partners. The Act reflects a commitment to support embassy
security and international security assistance.
Embassy Security
The Committee continues to prioritize the security of
diplomatic and development staff and the facilities where they
work by providing $6,071,348,000, which is $658,894,000 above
the President's request, for Embassy Security, Construction,
and Maintenance and Worldwide Security Protection.
Supporting Key Allies
The Committee notes with concern increasing attacks on
democratic principles throughout the world, as evidenced by
near daily reports of repression of the press, disregard of the
rule of law, and a weakening of respect for human and civil
rights. The Committee is concerned about historic numbers of
refugees and internally displaced persons; the chaotic
situation in Venezuela; the continuing reign of terror of
Bashar al-Assad in Syria; as well as conditions that exacerbate
and contribute to hunger and poverty which can lead to conflict
and migration; and the spread of infectious and neglected
tropical diseases, some of which are becoming drug resistant.
The Committee strives to foster greater stability and security
overseas through ``Smart Power.''
The Committee believes that the President's proposed cuts
to diplomacy and development by more than 21% are ill advised
at best, and dangerous at worst. If enacted, such cuts would
create risks to our national security, undermine United States
leadership and stymie worldwide efforts to counter violent
extremism and terrorism, making it harder to maintain American
leadership in the world. Coupled with the Administration's
repeated attempts to end cooperation with multilateral
organizations, these actions bolster the perception that the
United States is not a reliable partner, threatens United
States economic and national security, and weakens our global
influence. Investments in diplomacy and development continue to
yield great dividends over time.
The Committee remains committed to the security of our
allies. Such commitment to security is demonstrated by the
unwavering support for Israel, reflected by full funding for
the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The
Committee recommendation also includes continued support for
other critical allies, such as Jordan, and makes additional
assistance available to help Jordan address needs that have
arisen because of unrest in neighboring countries. The
Committee continues to support our Ukrainian, Georgian, and
Baltic allies in opposition to renewed Russian agression.
Additionally, to address the immediate security needs in
this hemisphere, the Committee recommendation rejects the
reductions proposed in the request and provides additional
assistance for key countries in Latin America. The Committee
believes it is critical to continue robust support for counter
narcotics and law enforcement efforts, as well as assistance
for rule of law and judicial reform activities in Mexico,
Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean to fight drug
trafficking and violent crime before it reaches the borders of
the United States. The security and stability of these
neighbors directly affects the United States.
The Committee recommendation also restores humanitarian and
development assistance to the Palestinians as part of a broader
policy objective to keep the goal of a two-state solution
viable by providing resources through international
organizations to address human needs in the West Bank and Gaza.
Of similar importance, the Committee provides critical
funds for basic needs to individuals to promote stable
societies that mitigate the rise of extremist ideologies and
individuals. Funds are provided for combating HIV/AIDS, other
infectious diseases, education, and economic development
programs for individuals in countries throughout the world--
including women and children--who are especially vulnerable to
the repressive actions of corrupt and failing governments. The
Committee notes that lawless societies often serve as breeding
grounds for extremist ideologies and individuals.
Importance of Results
The Committee recognizes that an effective foreign
assistance program must set transparent goals and measure
progress toward those goals in tangible ways. Sufficient
resource levels are provided to measure and collect results.
Data driven results should be the yardstick for measuring the
success of United States assistance programs.
To this end, an effective foreign aid program must consider
the host country context, especially government policies that
affect sectors in which United States assistance operates. It
must also consider the private sector, including foreign
capital and trade flows, as well as assistance provided by
other donors, both official and unofficial. The Committee
encourages the Department of State and USAID to continue to
improve upon the analytical work that assesses country
conditions and sets tangible, realistic goals for foreign
assistance programs and measures progress toward those goals.
The Committee acknowledges that resources are limited, and
while there are signs of recovery in the economy, there is
still a growing federal debt and budget deficit that is a
weight on future generations. The Committee emphasizes that
each Department or agency funded by this Act must ensure every
dollar is well spent.
BILL ORGANIZATION
The Committee recommendation, as detailed in the bill and
this report, deletes, modifies, or moves previously provided
legislative provisions that are addressed elsewhere in
permanent law, outdated, pending consideration by the
appropriate authorizing committee, or are no longer necessary
or applicable. The recommendation merges the eleven OCO
accounts carried in prior years into the base accounts for an
honest, and transparent accounting of the resources needed to
fund United States foreign policy and national security
interests. The recommendation also moves many reporting
requirements, except for Secretary of State certification
conditions, from this Act to the Committee report. In addition,
the recommendation moves the Economic Support Fund from title
III Bilateral Economic Assistance to title IV Security
Assistance, where it is requested by the President and where it
resides in the underlying authorization. With this move the
Committee recommendation redirects development, and most
democracy and governance, funding that is long-term in nature
to the Development Assistance or Democracy Fund accounts.
The Committee recommendation also consolidates the Middle
East general provisions, deleting outdated or duplicative
language while maintaining all conditions and requirements
carried in prior years. The Committee recommendation proposes
language to reverse the President's Mexico City Policy and
modify the unnecessary restrictions on family planning and
health funding but does not change any of the 14 provisions in
existing law carried by prior Acts that prohibit United States
assistance from being used to fund abortions abroad.
The Committee recommendation affirms support for
multilateral organizations to expand and extend the influence
of the United States and maximize resources, enhancing the
value of the tax dollars appropriated.
OVERSIGHT, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The Committee supports steps to reduce waste, inefficiency,
and duplication in operations and programs funded by this Act.
All United States Government agencies must ensure the proper
management of taxpayer dollars, including strong internal
controls, a focus on results, and customer service. This is
particularly important for the Department of State, USAID, and
other agencies charged with advancing the interests of the
United States around the world. Inefficiency, ineffectiveness,
and any waste, fraud, or abuse by agencies and programs funded
in this bill is not acceptable.
The Committee continues its focus on reducing unnecessary
expenditures and expects the departments and agencies funded by
this Act to work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
to identify cost savings and efficiencies, where possible. The
Committee directs agencies to provide information on the
reduction of printing and reproduction costs in the
congressional budget justification (CBJ) for fiscal year 2021
including cost savings achieved in fiscal year 2020 because of
such efforts. In addition, the Committee understands that, as
the largest advertiser in the United States, the federal
government should work to ensure fair access to its advertising
contracts for small disadvantaged businesses and businesses
owned by minorities and women. The Committee directs each
department and agency under the jurisdiction of this Act to
include the following information in its fiscal year 2021
budget justification: expenditures for fiscal year 2019 and
expected expenditures for fiscal year 2021, respectively, for
(1) all contracts for advertising services; and (2) contracts
for the advertising services of (a) socially and economically
disadvantaged small business concerns (as defined in section
8(a)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(4)); and
(b) women- and minority-owned businesses.
Budget Justification Materials
The Committee notes pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1105, the
President is required to submit a budget estimate to the
Congress not later than the first Monday in February of each
year. The Committee notes that this was not met following the
submission of the fiscal year 2020 budget. Additionally, the
Committee is concerned with the supporting information provided
by the Department of State. While OMB presents the budget
volumes in a timely manner to meet the statutory deadline, the
supporting information is provided months later and often
without meaningful and relevant budget information. The late
submission of this supporting material undermines the ability
of the Committees on Appropriations to conduct a thorough and
detailed review of the President's budget request.
The Committee notes with great displeasure that the
Secretary of State has not adequately complied with the
requirements of section 7070(e)(1) of the fiscal year 2019 Act
and section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA).
The Committee notes that the Foreign Assistance Appendix for
fiscal year 2019 was not received until March 14, 2018, 30 days
after the release of the President's budget and that the
Committee has yet to receive the Foreign Assistance Appendix,
now more than 50 days after the March 11, 2019 release of the
President's fiscal year 2020 budget. The delivery of the 653(a)
report, mandated by the FAA to be provided 30 days after
enactment of an appropriation is decidedly worse. In fiscal
year 2018 the 653(a) report was due April 22, 2018. The
Committee did not receive a full copy of the report until
September 28, 2018, two days before the end of the fiscal year.
The fiscal year 2019 653(a) report was due on March 17, 2019.
This report is over 50 days past due, and as of the printing of
this report, has yet to be provided to the Committees on
Appropriations. This is unacceptable and lessens the efficacy
of the resources provided for vital national security
activities. Therefore, the Committee has taken the
extraordinary step to include in the recommendation in section
7061(d)(1) and (e) a limitation on the Secretary of State's
travel expenses until such report and budget documents are
provided. The Committee is concerned that OMB and NSC are
unnecessarily over-involved in the production and review of
foreign assistance funding and policy decisions and needlessly
hinders the execution of programming. The Committee is hopeful
that this extraordinary action will encourage the Secretary of
State to reclaim control over the budget and policy decisions
regarding foreign assistance funding.
The Committee directs the departments and agencies funded
by this Act to maintain a continued focus on results, including
the refinement of agency priority goals and performance
measures. All agencies funded by this Act shall include program
results and performance management data in the fiscal year 2021
CBJ.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) report 18-499
entitled, ``Better Guidance for Strategy Development Could Help
Agencies Align Their Efforts'' notes that over 20 United States
agencies provide foreign assistance, each with their own
strategy. The report found that there is a lack of strategy
coordination among the five agencies that implement the
majority of foreign assistance. The Committee directs the
Department of State to address the recommendations contained in
the GAO report and lead an inter-agency effort to establish
guidance related to inter-agency coordination, strategic
integration, and the assessment of progress toward strategic
goals.
Impoundment of Resources
The Committee is concerned by an overreach in the
programming of foreign assistance by OMB and the National
Security Council (NSC). The Committee notes GAO decision B-
330330, on December 10, 2018, regarding the Impoundment Control
Act of 1974 (ICA) and the withholding of funds, including GAO's
conclusions that ``the ICA does not permit the withholding of
funds through their date of expiration'' and that ``under the
Constitution, the President must take care to execute the
appropriations that Congress has enacted.'' The Committee
recommendation includes in section 7011(b) new language that
would extend the period of availability to 90 days from the
date on which the availability of such funds would expire if
the President proposes a rescission within 60 days of the
initial expiration of availability.
The Committee affirms its expectation that the Department
of State, USAID, and the other international affairs agencies
under the jurisdiction of this Act will prudently, and in a
timely fashion, obligate the funds appropriated by the fiscal
year 2020 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, and prior Acts, during their
periods of availability. The Committee directs OMB and NSC to
enable, not obstruct, the use of such funds through the
apportionment and notification process. The Committee directs
that the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations a bi-monthly report
on any funds that are at risk of expiring before initial
obligation, including the reasons why they have not been
obligated. These reports shall include copies of the
apportionments, and any reapportionments, for the fiscal year
for these funds.
Obligation Management
The Committee is gravely concerned with the timely
obligation and prudent expenditure of resources provided in
this Act. The Committee notes that accounts with a two-year
period of availability do not begin planning for programs until
the end of year one and often do not entail significant
obligations or expenditures until late in the second year,
immediately before expiration. As a result, large obligations
are made late in the fiscal year into broad bilateral
agreements or ``strategic agreements'' with no intent to expend
or program such funding in an expeditious manner. This is not
consistent with congressional intent. Therefore, the Committee
recommendation includes a new limitation on the authorities
contained in section 7011 of this Act, reducing the de-
obligation/re-obligation period of availability from 4 years to
2 years. While the Committee recommendation has not changed the
period of availability of accounts in this Act from prior
years, the Committee directs the Department of State and USAID
to report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than
30 days after enactment of this Act, on the feasibility and
impact of limiting the period of availability on all foreign
assistance accounts in this Act to one-year.
Change in Allocation of Foreign Assistance
The tables in the report within the appropriations headings
in titles III through V are subject to the terms and conditions
of section 7019 of the Act and shall be used as the basis for
the section 653(a) report that is due to Congress 30 days after
enactment of the Act.
Reports
The Committee emphasizes that all reports are required to
be completed in the timeframe noted in each respective
directive. Moreover, the Committee expects that the conditions
associated with funding appropriated by this Act shall be
accomplished in the manner as directed in the report.
Customer service.--The Committee urges the Department of
State to improve customer service in accordance with Executive
Order 13571, particularly regarding passport and visa services
for both American citizens and foreign nationals respectively.
The Committee directs the Department of State to submit a
report on implementation plans to improve customer service no
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act.
REPROGRAMMING, NOTIFICATION, REPORTING, AND CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS
The Committee recommendation grants limited reprogramming
authorities to ensure that funds are devoted to the highest
priorities, particularly due to changes in circumstances of
countries facing unrest, terrorism, and violence. The Committee
notes that reprogramming notifications must be submitted
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations. For the purposes of this Act and
this report, ``regular notification procedures'' means
notification must be provided at least 15 days in advance of
obligation of funds. The Committee cautions that, pursuant to
section 7015(e) of this Act, advance notification requirements
may only be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
risk to human health or welfare. The Committee expects the use
of this authority to be extremely rare and directs the
Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator to use this
authority judiciously. Additional notification requirements are
added in fiscal year 2020 to ensure appropriate Congressional
oversight of funds.
The Committee directs for that for purposes of this report
and the Act, the term ``prior consultation'' means a pre-
decisional engagement between a relevant Federal agency and the
Committees on Appropriations during which the Committees are
provided a meaningful opportunity to provide facts and opinions
to inform: (1) the use of funds; (2) the development, content,
or conduct of a program or activity; or (3) a decision to be
taken. Additionally, for purposes of this report and the Act,
the term ``regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations'' means such Committees are notified not less
than 15 days in advance of the obligation of funds. The
Committee further directs the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to submit notifications for the obligation of
funds made available by this Act and prior Acts not later than
60 days prior to the expiration of such funds. Congressional
notifications submitted by the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator for funds that are being reallocated prior to
initial obligation, reprogrammed, or reobligated after
deobligation, shall, to the maximum extent practicable, contain
detailed information about the sources of the funds and why
such funds are no longer intended to be used as previously
justified.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
The Committee recommendation for Administration of Foreign
Affairs provides funds for the broad range of activities
necessary to support the operations and activities of more than
275 diplomatic and consular posts in 190 countries. The
Committee recommends a total of $12,475,837,000 for the
activities of the Department of State in fiscal year 2020, of
which $3,105,109,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT. Of the total
amount provided, $12,316,937,000 is appropriated as
discretionary funds by this Act and $158,900,000 is
appropriated as mandatory funds by the Foreign Service Act of
1980. The budget request does not seek funding for OCO/GWOT.
Embassy security.--The Committee recommendation provides
$6,071,348,000 for embassy security, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $658,894,000 above the
fiscal year 2020 request. Funds are made available for the
purchase of property and for construction, rehabilitation, and
maintenance of United States diplomatic and consular missions
and other posts overseas, the costs for the Department of State
associated with the continued expansion of the Marine Security
Guard Program, and the personnel and equipment required to
protect United States Government employees and their families
under Chief of Mission (COM) authority and property worldwide.
DIPLOMATIC PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $9,173,923,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 8,420,227,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 9,245,766,000
Change from enacted level......................... +71,843,000
Change from request............................... +825,539,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $3,225,971,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $2,626,122,000 under
this heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War
on Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $9,245,766,000 for
Diplomatic Programs, including up to $4,095,899,000 for
Worldwide Security Protection (WSP). Of this amount,
$2,626,122,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT.
Funds made available under this heading are allocated in
the following manner:
Human resources.--The Committee recommendation includes
$2,900,417,000 for human resources, of which $509,782,000 is
for WSP. Funds support American salaries at overseas and
domestic United States diplomatic missions. The Committee
recommendation includes sufficient funds above the enacted
level to increase on-board permanent Foreign Service and Civil
Service to not less than fiscal year 2016 levels.
Overseas programs.--The Committee recommendation includes
$1,955,868,000 for overseas programs. Funds for overseas
programs support the operational programs of regional bureaus
of the Department of State and the operations of United States
embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic posts worldwide.
The Committee directs the Department of State to create and put
an emphasis on filling mid-level Foreign Service officer
positions (grades FS-03, FS-02, and FS-01) at overseas posts.
Diplomatic policy and support.--The Committee
recommendation includes $780,057,000 for the operational
programs and management offices of the functional bureaus of
the Department of State. The Committee recommendation includes
$1,000,000 for the Office of the Special Coordinator for
Tibetan Issues to carry out the responsibilities detailed in
section 21(d) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act,
Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228).
Security programs.--The Committee recommendation includes
$3,609,424,000 for security programs, of which $3,586,117,000
is for WSP. Funds support the personnel, equipment, and
training necessary for the protection of diplomatic personnel,
overseas diplomatic missions, residences, and domestic
facilities and information.
Consular and Border Security Program
In addition to the funds appropriated under this heading,
additional funds will become available through currently
authorized fees and surcharges, as well as proposed extensions
of expiring fees and surcharges, if authorized, for the
Consular and Border Security Program. These funds will support
the passport and visa program and maintain consular operations
that protect United States citizens overseas, safeguard
security interests of the United States, facilitate entry of
legitimate travelers, and foster economic growth.
H-2A Visa Processing.--The Committee is concerned about
reported inefficiencies in the H-2A visa application and review
process and the undue burden placed on agriculture employers
applying for visas for potential workers. The Committee
understands that agriculture employers are required to provide
information separately to the Department of State, the
Department of Labor, and the Department of Homeland Security
that is often redundant. The Committee directs the Secretary of
State to review the H-2A visa application process and to submit
a plan to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, on ways to improve the
efficiency of such process. The plan should include the
feasibility of creating a single employer form that could be
shared across each Department with jurisdiction over the H-2A
visa program as well as information on the contract services
currently used to process H-2A visas, and the scope of such
contracts.
Worldwide Security Protection
The Committee recommendation includes $4,095,899,000 for
Worldwide Security Protection (WSP). Of this amount,
$2,626,122,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT.
The WSP program provides critical funding for the
protection of life, property, and information of the Department
of State and supports a worldwide guard force protecting more
than 277 overseas diplomatic missions, residences, and domestic
facilities. The resources provided will support more than 3,100
regional security officers and 40,000 guards to provide
perimeter security and access control. Funds also support
enhanced high threat protection, security technology, cyber and
information security, secure diplomatic courier operations, and
protective services for the Secretary of State, the United
States Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), and foreign
dignitaries visiting the United States.
Within the amount provided for WSP, the Committee
recommendation includes not less than the amount requested for
the Bureau of Medical Services. Included is funding for the
Directorate of Operational Medicine which has responsibility
for contingency medical preparedness, the Department's
biocontainment evacuation response, the capability to support
short-notice transnational deployment of security and crisis
response teams, and to evacuate COM personnel from posts in
crisis.
Other Matters
Child abduction and access.--The Committee notes that when
making use of the waiver in section 204 of the Goldman Act
(Public Law 113-150), the Secretary of State is required to
provide a detailed justification for such waiver involving a
country with a pattern of non-compliance. The Committee expects
the Secretary of State to comply with this requirement.
Further, the Committee directs the Secretary to include in such
justification the reason, if any, for why actions 4 through 8
under section 204(d) are not being taken. Additionally, the
Secretary shall include in the annual report required by
section 101 of such Act a list of countries with pending cases
that are more than 12 months old and shall also provide such
report to the Committees on Appropriations. The Secretary
should also consider taking further actions, as appropriate,
such as those contained in section 201(b) of the Goldman Act,
with a priority on cases that have been unresolved for more
than a year.
Combating Anti-Semitism.--The Committee recommendation
includes not less than $500,000 for the Office to Monitor and
Combat Anti-Semitism as authorized by the Global Anti-Semitism
Review Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-332). The Committee recognizes the
important work of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-
Semitism given the rise of anti-Semitism and the increase in
anti-Semitic incidents around the world. The Committee directs
the Secretary of State to ensure the Office of the Special
Envoy has sufficient resources and staff.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State, in cooperation with other relevant federal agency heads,
to increase cybersecurity cooperation activities with United
States allies in order to better defend against, disrupt, and
attribute cyberattacks and to deploy counter-measures to hold
the responsible parties accountable.
Global Engagement Center (GEC).--The Committee
recommendation includes funds consistent with the prior fiscal
year for the GEC. The Committee is concerned about foreign
propaganda, disinformation, the malicious use of social media,
and other hybrid threats directed at the United States and our
allies and partners, especially as carried out by China,
Russia, and extremists groups. The GEC, as formally established
by Public Law 114-328, is expected to use a wide range of
technologies and techniques to counter these campaigns. The
operating plan required by section 7061 of this Act should
describe the GEC's coordination with other Department of State
bureaus and the Department of Defense with respect to the use
of all funds provided to the GEC in fiscal year 2020, and the
GEC's use of detailees, personal service contracts, and direct
hires, as well as their foreign language proficiency.
Global Magnitsky Act.--The Committee recommendation
includes funds for additional personnel for enforcement of the
Global Magnitsky Act.
Holocaust issues.--The Committee recognizes the important
work of the Office of Holocaust Issues and directs the
Secretary of State to ensure the Office has funding consistent
with prior years to continue efforts to bring a measure of
justice and assistance to Holocaust victims and their families
and to assure that the Holocaust is remembered properly and
accurately.
International AIDS conference.--The Committee encourages
the Department of State to support the planning and execution
of the 23rd International AIDS Conference to be held in
California in 2020, including working with United States
diplomatic missions to facilitate the consideration of visa
applications for those seeking to attend.
International conferences.--The Committee directs that
funds made available by this Act shall not be used to send or
pay for more than 50 United States government employees
stationed within the United States to attend any single
international conference outside of the United States attended
by representatives from the United States and foreign
governments as well as international and nongovernmental
organizations. The Committee expects that should it become
necessary for more than 50 United States government employees
to attend such a conference, the Secretary of State shall
report to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days
in advance and justify why such attendance is important to the
national interest.
International religious freedom.--The Committee is pleased
that the Department of State, through the Office of
International Religious Freedom, is working to advance
religious freedom programs and initiatives as a critical
component of United States diplomatic efforts, pursuant to the
International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. The
Committee encourages the Secretary of State to consider
elevating the position of the Ambassador-at-Large for Religious
Freedom within the organizational structure of the Department
of State.
The Committee recognizes that the steady growth of
religious persecution and decline of religious freedom around
the world highlight the need to have United States diplomats
trained to understand and advocate for religious freedom, as
required by IRFA. The Committee recommendation includes up to
$600,000 to continue the development of religious freedom
training curriculum pursuant to Section 103 of the Frank R.
Wolf International Religious Freedom Act (Public Law 114-281).
Monitoring and combating trafficking in persons.--The
Committee recommendation includes $16,000,000 for the Office to
Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, as authorized by the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended. Funds
are provided to ensure the Office can fulfill the statutory
mandates, including to support the coordination of the
President's Interagency Task Force and Senior Policy Operating
Group, deployment of rapid response teams, production of the
Trafficking in Persons Report, implementation of child
protection compacts, diplomatic engagement and technical
assistance, and management and oversight of assistance
appropriated in this Act to combat trafficking in persons.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to post the
National Human Trafficking Resources Center hotline, email
address, and website information in all United States embassies
and consulates in areas where visa applications are processed.
The Committee recommendation includes funding for the Global
Human Trafficking Hotline.
Public access to federally funded research.--The Committee
understands that Federal agencies with significant research
portfolios have implemented policies to provide public access
to federally funded research findings in accordance with
guidance from the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The
Committee encourages the Department of State and USAID to,
where applicable, implement similar policies for providing
public access to federally funded research results.
Public diplomacy.--The Committee continues to support
public diplomacy personnel and programs and expects the
Secretary of State to include projected funding for public
diplomacy in the operating plan required by section 7061 of
this Act.
Procurement.--The Secretary of State is directed to expand
opportunities for small businesses or cooperatives to compete
for Department of State contracts and grants, including small
businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically
disadvantaged individuals and faith-based organizations. The
Committee expects the Department to comply with the
requirements of the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. The Committee
includes further language under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Same-sex visas.--The Committee remains concerned by the
Department of State's decision to halt issuance of visas to
same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats and officials
and employees of international organizations. The change in
policy could subject U.S. diplomats with domestic partners to
retaliation abroad. The Committee includes further language
under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Staff care and resilience.--The Committee is concerned
about the health impacts on State Department employees working
in high-stress environments such as conflict and post-conflict
zones. The Committee supports State Department efforts to
provide staff care and resilience tools to its employees. The
Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in this
heading.
State Partnership Program.--The Committee believes the
National Guard State Partnership Program strengthens security
and disaster response cooperation between the United States and
nations participating in the partnership and builds
professionalism and respect for civilian control of the
military. The Committee expects the Department of State and the
Department of Defense to continue to inform United States
Embassy officials and foreign governments about the value of
the State Partnership Program, including the objectives of the
program, examples of successful engagements, and COM and
Combatant Commander requests for the program.
Transboundary watersheds.--The Committee recommendation
includes $500,000 for the Bureau of Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs for leading an interagency
working group, which has been tasked with identifying the gaps
and limitations within the Memoranda of Understanding between
British Columbia and Alaska, Washington, Idaho, and Montana,
relating to British Columbia mining within United States-
British Columbia transboundary watersheds.
United States citizens' deaths overseas.--Section 204(c) of
Public Law 107-228, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2003, mandates that, to the maximum extent
practicable, the Department of State collect and make available
on the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs website
information with respect to each United States citizen who dies
in a foreign country from a non-natural cause. To improve data
collection, the Department shall include the age and gender of
the deceased and, when available, specific details on the site
and circumstances of the incident.
Vacancies in ambassadorships and senior leadership
positions.--The Committee is concerned with continued high
vacancy rates in senior leadership positions in the Department
and ambassadorships overseas. Approximately thirty ambassador
positions have no nominee and numerous Assistant Secretary and
Undersecretary positions remained unfilled. The Committee
includes further language under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Western Hemisphere Affairs.--The Committee supports steps
taken by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs to promote
stable democracies throughout the region through racial and
ethnic equality initiatives, including coordinating and
implementing the joint action plans developed with the
governments of Colombia and Brazil. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to expand the programs of the Race,
Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit in the Bureau for Western
Hemisphere Affairs to additional regions.
Workforce diversity.--The Committee recommendation includes
increased funding to expand the Department of State's efforts
to increase diversity in hiring, retention, and promotion
within its workforce, including to continue and expand its
recruitment programs, professional development activities, and
outreach efforts. The Committee supports ongoing partnerships
between the Department of State and community colleges,
universities, and other institutions to improve the diversity
and excellence of the United States Foreign Service (Foreign
Service) by preparing both graduate and undergraduate students
for positions in the Foreign Service, such as the Thomas R.
Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship and Charles B. Rangel
International Affairs programs. The Committee encourages the
Secretary of State to explore new opportunities to partner with
Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, Asian American and Native American Pacific
Islander-serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and
Universities to further the goal of increasing workforce
diversity. The Committee includes further language under
``Reports'' in this heading.
Reports
Foreign Affairs Security Training Center (FASTC).--The
Committee directs the Secretary of State, not later than 45
days after completion of the FASTC project, to submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a final report on the project. The
report shall include the final cost, comparison to the initial
estimates, the reasons for any increase in cost from such
initial estimates, the timeline of the transition of each
training course, and steps taken to mitigate the impact of any
job losses at the previous training sites.
Release of United States citizens detained in Iran.--The
Committee remains concerned about United States citizens and
legal permanent residents missing and detained in Iran. The
Committee urges the Secretary of State to prioritize these
cases, to continue to press the Government of Iran for the
immediate release of those detained, and to provide any
information it possesses regarding any United States citizens
that have disappeared within its borders. The Committee directs
the Department of State to report, within 45 days after
enactment of this Act, to the Committees on Appropriations on
the channels being utilized to negotiate these hostage cases.
Cyber capabilities and licensing.--The Committee is
concerned about the Directorate of Defense Trade Control's
(DDTC) current licensing mechanisms for cyber capabilities. The
Committee directs the DDTC to report to the appropriate
congressional committees, not later than 90 days after
enactment of this Act, on cybertools and capabilities
licensing, including licensing screening and approval
procedures as well as compliance and enforcement mechanisms.
The report shall include any enforcement actions taken in the
current calendar year.
Countering global racism.--The Committee is concerned by
the rise in global ethnic and racial discrimination. The
Committee directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the USAID Administrator, to submit a report to the Committees
on Appropriations, not later than 90 days after enactment of
this Act, on all Department of State and USAID programs and
initiatives that address racial and ethnic discrimination,
including grants and exchanges, and the associated funding
levels of such programs.
International border crossings with Canada.--International
border crossings are of mutual benefit to the United States and
Canada, facilitating trade, commerce, and travel. The Committee
directs the Secretary of State, not later than 90 days after
enactment of this Act, to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations detailing the diplomatic and legal steps the
Department has taken to engage the Canadian government in order
to address concerns about the Canadian requirement that the
existing Ambassador Bridge span be demolished upon completion
of a new second bridge span.
Procurement.--Not later than 90 days after enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State shall report to the Committees
on Appropriations on the percentage of goods and services
acquired by the Department from small businesses, including
small businesses owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals and faith-based
organizations.
Same-sex visas.--The Committee directs the Department of
State to review the recent policy change regarding the issuance
of visas for same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats
and officials and report to the appropriate congressional
committees on its impact on U.S. diplomats and their foreign
counterparts not later than 90 days after enactment of this
Act.
Staff care and resilience.--The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 90 days after enactment of this
Act, detailing current staff care and resilience programs for
employees and the associated funding for such programs.
Unexplained health incidents.--Not later than 90 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees updating the
committees on the investigation into the unexplained health
incidents that affected United States personnel and family
members stationed overseas. The report shall include the most
recent information on the number of persons affected, the
extent of the symptoms and injuries, what is known about the
cause or causes of such injuries, how to mitigate such risks in
the future, and the impact on the diplomatic and development
mission at such posts. The report shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a classified
annex.
Vacancies in ambassadorships and senior leadership
positions.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees,
not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act and every
quarter thereafter, on the Ambassador, Assistant Secretary, and
Undersecretary positions that are vacant and the status of
filling such positions.
Workforce diversity.--The Committee directs the Secretary
of State to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, that describes all workforce diversity activities,
including the associated funding and results of such
initiatives.
Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and are subject to sections
7015 and 7061 of this Act.
DIPLOMATIC PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau/Office (includes salary and bureau managed
funds) Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Administration:
Freedom of Information Act....................... $33,960
Bureau of Europe and Eurasia Affairs:
Office of the Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues. 750
Cultural Antiquities Task Force.............. 1,000
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor:
Human Rights Vetting............................. 10,000
Office of International Religious Freedom........ 6,500
[of which, for religious freedom curriculum [600]
development]................................
Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of 2,000
Religious Minorities in the Near East and South
Central Asia....................................
Office of Special Advisor for International 1,000
Disability Rights...............................
Office of Terrorism Financing and Economic 6,100
Sanctions Policy................................
Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI 250
Persons.........................................
Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons.............. 16,000
Bureau for Oceans and International Environmental and 41,859
Scientific Affairs..................................
of which, Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs..... 5,121
[Special Representative for the Arctic [438]
Region].....................................
Office of the Legal Advisor:
Document Review Unit............................. 2,889
Office of the Secretary:
Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan 1,000
Issues..........................................
Office of Global Women's Issues.................. 8,000
Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues....... 5,497
Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism....... 500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $92,770,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 140,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 140,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +47,230,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $140,000,000 for
Capital Investment Fund. Funds provided are in addition to an
estimated $170,640,000 in expedited passport fees, which will
be used to support the information technology modernization
effort, for a total of $310,640,000 in fiscal year 2020 for
support of the Information Technology Strategic Plan of the
Department of State.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $145,729,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 141,729,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 145,729,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +4,000,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $54,900,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $54,900,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $145,729,000 for
support of the oversight personnel and activities of the Office
of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of State. Of this
amount, $54,900,000 is provided for the Special Inspector
General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR) and is designated for
OCO/GWOT.
Funds provided under this heading will support the audits,
investigations, and inspections of worldwide operations and
programs of the Department of State and United States Agency
for Global Media (USAGM). The Committee expects the OIG to
continue the coordination of audit plans and activities
involving Department of State operations and programs in
Afghanistan with the SIGAR in order to ensure the development
of comprehensive oversight plans and to avoid duplication.
Reports
SIGAR drawdown.--Commensurate with the proposed drawdown of
U.S. operations and programs in Afghanistan, the Committee
recommendation includes funding to begin reductions to the
SIGAR operations in fiscal year 2020. Not later than 180 days
after enactment of this Act, the SIGAR shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a detailed plan, including funding
requirements and personnel data, for the complete drawdown of
operations in Afghanistan by the end of fiscal year 2021. The
Committee directs the OIG to work closely with the SIGAR on its
drawdown plan to transition remaining work to the permanent
oversight offices of the OIG.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.--The Committee
directs the OIG to conduct an evaluation of the Afghan and
Iraqi SIV program between 2009 and the present, and submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees, in
classified form if necessary, not later than 180 days after
enactment of this Act. Such report shall contain
recommendations for the efficient processing of special
immigrant visas and program improvements, including an
evaluation of actions taken by the Department of State to
adhere to the conditions described in section 7076(b) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2019.
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $700,946,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 309,626,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 730,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +29,054,000
Change from request............................... +420,374,000
The Committee recommendation includes $730,000,000 for
Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs. The Committee
recognizes the importance of international exchange programs
and directs that funds made available under this heading be
directed to support United States foreign policy objectives and
be appropriately coordinated with Department of State regional
bureaus.
The Committee recommendation is $29,054,000 above the
fiscal year 2019 level, of which $27,853,000 is the result of
the transfer during 2019 of the American Spaces, the U.S.
Speakers, and Tech Camps programs from the International
Information Program. The merger of these programs into the
Bureau is expected to increase the efficiency and effectiveness
of United States public diplomacy activities.
Central Europe.--The Committee is concerned about a growing
political divide and social unrest in Central Europe.
Particularly troubling is the murder in January of this year of
the Mayor of Gdansk, Poland, Pawel Adamowicz. The Committee
urges the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs to
prioritize professional and academic exchanges in the countries
of Central Europe, including exchanges with civil society to
empower the next generation of democratic leaders.
Citizen Exchange Program.--The Committee recommendation
includes $111,961,000 for the Citizen Exchange Program. Citizen
exchange programs provide American and foreign participants the
opportunity to gain knowledge and share expertise and
experiences through professional, youth, cultural, and other
exchanges. Funds are provided to support new competitive awards
administered in cooperation with the various divisions within
the Office of Citizen Exchanges, including through the Youth
Programs Division to foster interaction between United States
and foreign youth artists.
Critical language programs.--Within the funds provided, the
Committee urges the Secretary of State to prioritize critical
language programs for United States students and exchange
programs with countries of national security importance.
English Language Programs.--The Committee recommendation
includes not less than $46,300,000 for English Language
Programs. The Committee recognizes the overwhelming, unmet need
of English language and other educational materials throughout
much of the world, but especially across the African continent.
Within the amount provided, the Committee encourages the
Department of State to maintain strong support for the English
Language Fellow and Specialist Programs, which bolster English
language skills within critical world regions. U.S. missions
are encouraged to work in partnership with the Peace Corps,
American Corners, universities, libraries, NGOs, and K-12
schools in their respective countries.
Fulbright Program.--The Committee recommendation includes
$272,000,000 for the Fulbright Program. Active in over 160
countries, the program provides exchange opportunities to
create and sustain mutual understanding between students,
scholars, teachers, and professionals in the United States and
those from other countries.
Other exchanges.--The Committee recognizes the value of
competitive exchange programs for young people, including the
Youth Exchange and Study program; the Future Leaders Exchange;
educator programs; and programs providing overseas training in
strategic languages for Americans.
The Committee encourages the Department of State to expand
two-way international academic and professional and cultural
exchanges for individuals of African descent, including the
development of partnerships with Historically Black Colleges
and Universities.
Special academic, professional, and cultural exchanges.--
The Committee recommendation includes funds to support at prior
year levels special academic, professional, and cultural
exchange programs where consistent with strategic priorities,
including Mexico and Central America and the academic and
cultural Tibetan exchanges and fellowships. The Committee
expects funds for such programs to be awarded on a competitive
basis and the planned levels for each to be included in the
fiscal year 2020 operating plan.
Vietnam Education Foundation Act.--The Committee
recommendation includes $5,000,000 under this heading for
grants authorized by section 211 of the Vietnam Education
Foundation Act of 2000, as amended. Additional funds for such
grants are included under the heading Development Assistance.
Section 7034(d)(6) of the Act amends the Vietnam Education
Foundation Act of 2000 to permit any remaining unobligated
balances in the Vietnam Education Foundation-Vietnam Debt
Repayment Fund that are not needed for orderly shutdown costs
of the Foundation to be available for grants authorized by
section 2011 of such Act. The Committee directs the Secretary
of State to consult with the appropriate congressional
committees prior to the exercise of this authority.
Section 7061 of this Act includes a requirement that the
Secretary of State submit to the Committees on Appropriations
an operating plan for funds appropriated under this heading.
The Committee expects that such plan will include the
distribution of unobligated balances and recoveries, as well as
any transfers to this account from other accounts in fiscal
year 2020.
Funds made available under this heading are allocated in
the following manner and are subject to the requirements of
sections 7015 and 7061 of this Act.
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Academic Programs:
Fulbright Program................................ $272,000
Global Academic Exchanges........................ 64,061
English Language Programs.................... [46,300]
Special Academic Exchanges....................... 22,875
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship [16,000]
Program.....................................
Vietnam Education Foundation Act............. 5,000
------------------
Subtotal, Academic Programs...................... 358,936
Professional and Cultural Exchanges:
International Visitor Leadership Program......... 104,000
Citizen Exchange Program......................... 111,961
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange............ [4,125]
Special Professional and Cultural Exchanges.......... 5,600
J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange...... [5,000]
------------------
Subtotal, Professional and Cultural Exchanges.... 221,561
Special Initiatives:
Young Leaders Initiatives........................ 31,250
Countering State disinformation and pressure..... 12,000
------------------
Subtotal, Special Initiatives.................... 43,250
Program and Performance 8,400
Activities Transferred to Exchanges from IIP-PA
Merger
American Spaces Program.......................... 15,000
TechCamps........................................ 2,026
Administrative Support........................... 10,827
------------------
Subtotal, Transferred Activities................. 27,853
------------------
Exchanges Support.................................... 70,000
Subtotal, Educational and Cultural Exchanges..... 730,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPRESENTATION EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $8,030,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 7,212,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 7,212,000
Change from enacted level......................... -818,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $7,212,000 for
Representation Expenses authorized by section 905 of the
Foreign Service Act of 1980.
Funds provided under this heading are used to reimburse
Foreign Service officers for expenditures incurred in their
official capacities abroad in establishing and maintaining
relations with officials of foreign governments and appropriate
members of local communities. The Secretary of State is
directed to submit semi-annual reports to the Committees on
Appropriations containing detailed information on the allotment
and expenditure of this appropriation.
PROTECTION OF FOREIGN MISSIONS AND OFFICIALS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $30,890,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 25,890,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,890,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +5,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $30,890,000 for
Protection of Foreign Missions and Officials.
Funds provided under this heading are used to reimburse
local governments and communities for the extraordinary costs
incurred in providing protection for international
organizations, foreign missions and officials, and foreign
dignitaries under certain circumstances. The Committee expects
the Department of State to provide reimbursement to local
jurisdictions on a timely basis if claims are fully justified.
The Department of State shall continue to submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a semi-annual report on the number
of claims for extraordinary protective services that have been
submitted by eligible jurisdictions that are certified as
meeting the program requirements and the amount of unobligated
funds available to pay such claims.
Section 7034(g) of this Act continues authority for the
Secretary of State to transfer expired unobligated balances
from funds made available under Diplomatic Programs. The
Committee directs the Department of State to include any
expired balances transferred to this heading in the report
required by the previous paragraph.
EMBASSY SECURITY, CONSTRUCTION, AND MAINTENANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,975,449,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,632,630,000
Committee recommendation\1\........................... 1,975,449,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +342,819,000
\1\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $424,087,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $1,975,449,000 for
Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance, of which
$424,087,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT. Within the amount
provided, $1,205,649,000 is for Worldwide Security Upgrades
(WSU) and $769,800,000 is for repair, construction, and
operations.
Worldwide Security Upgrades.--The Committee recommendation
includes $1,205,649,000 for Worldwide Security Upgrades, of
which $424,087,000 is designated as OCO/GWOT. The Committee
recommendation for WSU is $288,989,000 above the fiscal year
2020 request.
Within the funds made available for WSU, $1,105,649,000
under this heading is for the Department of State's
contribution to the Capital Security Cost Savings (CSCS) and
Maintenance Cost Sharing (MCS) programs. This amount, combined
with the estimated $1,338,321,000 in CSCS and MCS program
contributions from other agencies and available consular fees,
will provide a total of $2,443,970,000 in fiscal year 2020 for
the design, construction, and maintenance of United States
diplomatic facilities overseas.
The Secretary of State shall promptly inform the Committee
of agencies that are delinquent in fulfilling their capital
security cost sharing obligation as required by section 604(e)
of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of
1999.
Notification and reporting requirements.--Section 7004(c)
of this Act continues the notification requirements from prior
Acts as a means of ensuring the Committee has the necessary
information to conduct appropriate oversight of construction
projects. The Department is directed to clearly define and
consistently report on the elements of each project factor and
include an explanation of any changes from previous reports or
notifications for a project.
Congressional notifications made pursuant to section
7004(c) shall include, at a minimum, the following project
factors: (1) the location and size of the property to be
acquired, including the proximity to existing United States
diplomatic facilities and host government ministries; (2) the
justification of need for acquiring the property and
construction of new facilities and the reconciled appraised
value of the project; (3) a detailed breakdown of the total
project costs, including, at a minimum, the following cost
categories: (a) site acquisition, (b) project development, (c)
design contract, (d) primary construction, (e) other
construction costs, including: (i) procurement of art, (ii)
furniture, (iii) project supervision, (iv) construction
security, (v) contingency, and (vi) value added tax, and (f)
any other relevant costs; (4) the revenues derived from, or
estimated to be derived from, real property sales and gifts
associated with the project, if applicable; (5) any unique
requirements of the project that may increase the cost of the
project, such as consular workload, legal environment, physical
and/or security requirements, and seismic capabilities; (6) the
number of waivers required pursuant to section 606 of Appendix
G of Public Law 106-113, if applicable; (7) any religious,
cultural, or political factors that may affect the cost,
location, or construction timeline; (8) the current and
projected number of desks, agency presence, and the projected
number of United States direct hire staff, Locally Employed
Staff, and Third Country Nationals; (9) the current and
projected number of beds, if applicable; (10) the most recent
rightsizing analysis, and a justification for exceeding the
staffing projections of such rightsizing analysis, if
applicable; (11) with respect to new projects not previously
justified to the Committees on Appropriations, confirmation
that the Department of State has completed the requisite value
engineering studies required pursuant to OMB Circular A-131 and
Bureau of Overseas Building Operations Policy and Procedure
Directive, Cost 02 and the Department's adjudication of those
recommendations; and (12) the project's scheduled start and
completion date, actual start and current estimated completion
date, and an explanation of any changes.
Other repair and construction.--The Committee
recommendation includes $100,276,000 for other repair and
construction, which is $21,305,000 above the request. These
funds support the repair, rehabilitation, improvement, and
upgrade of diplomatic facilities around the world.
Operations.--The Committee recommendation includes
$669,524,000 for Operations, which is $53,830,000 above the
request. Funding for Operations provides support for the five
major organizational components of the Bureau of Overseas
Buildings Operations: Planning and Real Estate; Program
Development, Coordination and Support; Construction, Facility
and Security Management; Operations; Resource Management; and
Domestic Renovations. The recommendation includes not less than
$147,000,000 to fully annualize the Department's fiscal year
2018 hiring plan.
Operating plan.--Section 7061 of this Act requires the
Secretary of State to submit to the Committees on
Appropriations an operating plan for funds appropriated under
this heading. Such plan should include all resources available
to the Department of State in fiscal year 2020 for operations,
maintenance, and construction, and an accounting of the actual
and anticipated proceeds of sales or gifts for all projects in
fiscal year 2019.
Reports
Contingency savings.--The Committee understands from the
information included in the notifications received in prior
years that the Department of State has contingency savings on
previously appropriated construction projects. The Committee
directs the Secretary of State to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations at the end of each fiscal quarter
on such contingency savings.
Quarterly Reports.--The Secretary of State is directed to
continue to submit quarterly reports on the Beirut Embassy,
Mexico City Embassy, New Delhi Embassy, Erbil Consulate, and
Jakarta Embassy projects. Such reports shall include the
following information: (1) a detailed breakout of the project
factors that formed the basis of the initial cost estimate used
to justify such project to the Committees on Appropriations;
(2) a comparison of the current project factors as compared to
the project factors submitted pursuant to (1), and an
explanation of any changes; (3) the impact of currency exchange
rate fluctuations on project costs; and (4) a copy of the most
current working estimate that supports the basis for each
report.
EMERGENCIES IN THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $7,885,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 7,885,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 7,885,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $7,885,000 to enable
the Secretary of State to meet unforeseen emergencies arising
in the Diplomatic and Consular Service. Funding provided under
this heading is available until expended.
The recommendation provides resources for the Department of
State to meet emergency requirements in the conduct of foreign
affairs, including for the following purposes: (1) travel and
subsistence expenses for relocation of American employees of
the United States Government and their families from troubled
areas to the United States or safe-haven posts; (2) allowances
granted to Department of State employees and their dependents
evacuated to the United States for the convenience of the
Government; and (3) payment of rewards for information
concerning terrorist activities.
The recommendation continues prior year language providing
the authority to transfer up to $1,000,000 from this heading to
Repatriation Loans Program. This authority will ensure an
adequate level of resources for loans to American citizens
through the Repatriation Loans Program, should additional funds
be required due to an unanticipated increase in the number of
loans.
REPATRIATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,300,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,300,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,300,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $1,300,000 for the
subsidy cost of repatriation loans.
PAYMENT TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $31,963,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 26,312,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 31,963,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +5,651,000
The Committee recommendation includes $31,963,000 for
Payment to the American Institute in Taiwan. The Committee
recommendation supports operating expenses of the American
Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and funds may also be made available
for special projects and consular upgrades.
The Taiwan Relations Act requires that programs concerning
Taiwan be carried out by the AIT and authorizes funds to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State to carry out the
provisions of this Act. The Institute administers programs in
the areas of economic and commercial services, cultural
affairs, travel services, and logistics. The Department of
State contracts with the AIT to carry out these activities.
INTERNATIONAL CENTER, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $743,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 743,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 743,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $743,000 for site
security and routine maintenance and repairs to public spaces
of the International Center, Washington, D.C.
PAYMENT TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $158,900,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 158,900,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 158,900,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $158,900,000 for
Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
These funds are mandatory for budget scorekeeping purposes
and are appropriated by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, for
the unfunded liability created by new benefits, new groups of
beneficiaries, or increased salaries on which benefits are
computed. The Retirement Fund is maintained through
contributions made by participants, matching government
contributions, special government contributions (including this
account), interest on investments, and voluntary contributions.
International Organizations
CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $1,360,270,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,013,693,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 1,520,285,000
Change from enacted level......................... +160,015,000
Change from request............................... +506,592,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $96,240,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $96,240,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $1,520,285,000 for
Contributions to International Organizations, of which
$96,240,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT. This account supports
annual United States assessed contributions to international
organizations, including the United Nations, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), and the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA). The Committee recommendation provides funding
above the request to ensure adequate resources for these
organizations.
Transparency and accountability.--The Committee continues
to support the transparency and accountability requirements
from the prior year and carried in section 7048(a) of this Act.
Such requirements are detailed under section 7048(a) in this
Report.
Pursuant to section 7048(b), the Committee continues to
support prior year prohibitions on paying for any United States
delegation or contribution to any specialized agency, body, or
commission of the United Nations (UN) if such an agency, body,
commission, or organization is chaired by government that
provides support for international terrorism. The Committee
notes the language in this section is intended to consolidate
existing provisions and does not represent a change in policy.
UN Human Rights Council.--Pursuant to section 7048(c),
funds shall be made available to the UN Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to
the Committees on Appropriations that participation in the
Council does not serve the national interest of the United
States and that the Council is not taking significant steps to
remove Israel as a permanent agenda item nor taking actions to
ensure integrity in the election of members to such Council.
The Committee remains concerned about the credibility and
effectiveness of UNHRC and notes with disappointment the
ascension to UNHRC of countries with poor human rights records.
The Committee is also concerned with the continued,
disproportionate focus of UNHRC on Israel and its anti-Israel
bias.
The Committee continues to disapprove of UNHRC resolution
A/HRC/31/L.39, which is counterproductive to achieving peace
between Israel and the Palestinians. The Committee directs the
Secretary to work with the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights to minimize the impact of the compilation of the
database called for under that resolution.
Pursuant to section 7048(e), the Secretary of State shall
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after the enactment of this Act, detailing the amounts of
funds available to any organization, department, agency, or
program within the UN system that are withheld due to any
provision of law. The report shall include any time additional
funds are withheld.
Capital projects.--The operating plan submitted pursuant to
section 7061 of this Act for funds made available under this
heading shall include information on capital projects.
International Maritime Organization.--The Committee
recognizes the importance for the United States of timely
compliance with International Maritime Organization standards
for the maximum sulfur content of nautical fuel scheduled to go
into effect on January 1, 2020. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations within 45 days of the enactment of this Act on
the status of these standards.
Prohibition of payments to UN Members.--The Committee
continues to support prior year prohibitions of funds made
available under titles III through VI for carrying out the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to pay in whole or in part any
assessments, arrearages, or dues of any member of the UN 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.
UN reform.--The Committee expects the Department of State
and the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) to
keep UN reform a high priority and to work with other UN member
states to increase the accountability of the UN and other
international organizations. The Committee supports efforts to
make the UN and other international organizations more
efficient.
UN budget.--The Committee recommendation includes language
carried in the prior year requiring the Secretary of State to
transmit to the Committees on Appropriations the most recent
biennial budget prepared by the UN at the time of the
submission of the President's budget to Congress. The Secretary
of State shall also report to the Committees on Appropriations
at least 15 days in advance (or in an emergency, as far in
advance as is practicable) of any UN action to decrease or
increase funding for any UN program without identifying an
offset elsewhere in the UN budget.
Universal Postal Union.--The Committee is concerned with
the continued use of the international postal system to send
opioids and other illicit drugs to the United States,
especially from China. The Committee directs the Secretary of
State to work with the Universal Postal Union to adopt and
implement measures to further strengthen the security of the
mail system, including improvements to the quality of data
collection and further adoption of the advance electronic data
system. The Department of State should consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on steps being taken to address
these concerns.
Pursuant to section 7053 of this Act, the Committee
recommendation includes prior year language relating to unpaid
parking fines and real property taxes owed by foreign
governments.
Reports
UNHRC.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
submit an updated report to the Committees on Appropriations,
not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, on all
United States contributions to the UNHRC for the preceding
fiscal year, including amounts provided through the UN Regular
Budget and through voluntary contributions.
UN and United States companies.--The Committee directs the
Department of State and USUN to ensure American manufacturers
and suppliers are not being unfairly excluded or discriminated
against through procurement processes and are being fairly
treated. Not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees
on Appropriations with regard to the procurement processes at
UN organizations.
Credits.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than May
1, 2020, and 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2020, on any
credits attributable to the United States, including from the
United Nations Tax Equalization Fund, and provide updated
fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021 assessment costs
including offsets from available credits and updated foreign
currency exchange rates. The Committee directs that such
credits shall only be made available for United States assessed
contributions to the United Nations regular budget, and directs
the Secretary of State to notify the Committee on
Appropriations when such credits are applied to any assessed
contribution, including any payment of arrearages. Any
notification regarding funds appropriated by this Act or prior
Acts or any operating plan submitted pursuant to section 7061
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.
UN Annual Report.--The Committee directs that the Secretary
of State continue to comply with the directives contained in
the paragraph headed `Report' that appears under this heading
in title I of House Report 115-829.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING ACTIVITIES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $1,551,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,136,000,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 2,128,414,000
Change from enacted level......................... +577,414,000
Change from request............................... +992,414,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $988,656,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $988,656,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $2,128,414,000 for
Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities, of
which, $988,656,000 is designated for OCO/GWOT. The Committee
notes that because the 25 percent statutory cap is an
authorizing matter under the jurisdiction of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, this Act does not include language lifting
the cap for fiscal year 2020; however, the Committee is
concerned about arrears owed to the United Nations, projected
to exceed a total of over $1 billion for fiscal years 2017 to
2020. To begin to address this growing problem, the Committee
recommends $478,994,000 under this heading to pay arrears
accumulated during fiscal years 2017 and 2018. The Committee
provides funding to pay assessed expenses and arrears for the
UN Support Office in Somalia under the heading Peacekeeping
Operations instead of under this heading.
New or expanded missions.--The Committee recommendation
continues language requiring notification at least 15 days in
advance of voting for any new or expanded mission, including
the estimated cost and duration of the mission, the objectives
of the mission, the national interest that will be served, and
the exit strategy. The Committee notes that the notification
may be provided less than 15 days in advance of voting for a
new or expanded mission in the event of an emergency. The
Committee expects the Secretary of State to ensure the
appropriate and judicious application of this provision.
Other requirements.--The Committee recommendation continues
language carried in prior years making funds available for
peacekeeping activities unless the Secretary of State
determines that American manufacturers and suppliers are not
being provided equal procurement opportunities and language
prohibiting funds for any peacekeeping mission that will
involve United States Armed Forces under the command and
control of a foreign national unless certain requirements have
been met.
The Committee continues to support independent oversight of
the UN to identify waste, fraud, and abuse; supports reforms to
ensure that such practices are eliminated; and continues from
the prior year language on transparency and accountability
carried under 7048(a) of this Act.
Trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation and abuse.--
The Committee recommendation includes language carried in prior
years prohibiting funds unless the Secretary of State certifies
and reports to the Committees on Appropriations on a
peacekeeping mission-by-mission basis that the UN is
implementing effective policies and procedures to prevent UN
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.
Report
Credits.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than May
1, 2020, and 30 days after the end of fiscal year 2020, on 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 2020 and fiscal year 2021 assessment costs
including offsets from available credits.
International Commissions
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION, UNITED STATES AND MEXICO
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $77,534,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. $74,212,000
Committee recommendation.............................. $77,570,000
Change from enacted level......................... +36,000
Change from request............................... +3,358,000
The Committee recommendation includes a total of
$77,570,000 for International Boundary and Water Commission
(IBWC), United States and Mexico, including $48,170,000 for
Salaries and Expenses and $29,400,000 for Construction.
The Committee recommendation includes funds consistent with
prior fiscal years for the Rio Grande Flood Control System
Rehabilitation Project to continue and maintain levee projects
along the Rio Grande, including environmental, hydrologic,
hydraulic, and low water weir studies along the Rio Grande
Valley that are consistent with the projects outlined within
the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, Treaty Series 994. The
Committee also supports efforts to reduce the amount of
sediment and other activities, including eradication and
mechanical control of carrizo cane, to maintain the health of
the river.
Reports
Carrizo cane eradication.--The Committee directs the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States
Commissioner to the IBWC, to the report to Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after the enactment of
this Act, on effectiveness of the IBWC's efforts to control and
eradicate carrizo cane from the banks and flood plan of the Rio
Grande River. The report should include details of IBWC
coordination with federal, state, local entities, and with
other stakeholders.
Release of effluent.--The Committee is concerned about the
adverse impact on communities in the United States from the
release of effluent from Mexico. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State and the United States Commissioner to the
IBWC to work with the Government of Mexico to facilitate a
resolution, and to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, with respect to steps taken prior to the enactment of this
Act and steps planned during fiscal year 2020 to achieve
resolution.
AMERICAN SECTIONS, INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $13,258,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 9,750,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 12,732,000
Change from enacted level......................... -526,000
Change from request............................... +2,982,000
The Committee recommendation includes $12,732,000 for
American Sections, International Commissions, of which
$8,500,000 is for the International Joint Commission.
Report
Rainy River Drainage Basin.--The Committee supports the
1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and the goal of limiting pollution
of boundary waters. The Committee is concerned that decisions
made by the United States Department of Agriculture and the
United States Department of Interior to approve mineral leases
in the Superior National Forest will result in an operational
sulfide-ore copper mine that risks polluting the waters within
the Rainy River Drainage Basin flowing into the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area Wilderness and Ontario, Canada's Quetico Provincial
Park. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department of State
to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations not
later than 60 days of enactment of this Act detailing: the
characteristics of the Boundary Waters-Quetico ecosystem and
the hydrology of the Rainy River Drainage Basin and its impact
on Canada; U.S. Government plans to monitor and mitigate the
risk of acid mine drainage originating in the Superior National
Forest polluting Canadian waters; and United States efforts to
inform the Government of Canada on the potential for cross-
boundary pollution resulting from sulfide-ore copper mining in
the Superior National Forest.
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $50,651,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 34,448,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 51,058,000
Change from enacted level......................... +407,000
Change from request............................... +16,610,000
The Committee recommendation includes $51,058,000 for
International Fisheries Commissions.
The Committee recommendation includes funds necessary to
fully support the anticipated United States assessments, other
expenses related to these commissions, and for the
participation of non-government United States commissioners to
the various commissions.
Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and are subject to sections
7015 and 7061 of the Act.
INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSIONS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commission/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Fisheries Commission..................... 37,060
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission.............. 1,750
Pacific Salmon Commission............................ 4,185
International Pacific Halibut Commission............. 4,532
Other Marine Conservation............................ 3,531
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC).--The Committee
recommendation includes $37,060,000 for GLFC, which includes
$30,070,000 for base operations, sea lamprey control
requirements, fishery research, and management of invasive carp
species. The recommendation also includes an additional
$6,990,000 for risk-based sea lamprey control and science and
research needs, including $500,000 for grass carp management.
The Committee intends that the funds made available for the
GLFC be used only for meeting the United States obligations
under the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries.
Pacific Salmon Commission.--The Committee recommendation
includes a total of $4,185,000 for the United States share of
the costs of carrying out the Pacific Salmon Treaty, as
implemented in the new ten-year agreement between the United
States and Canada which came into force provisionally on
January 1, 2019.
Arctic Council.--The Committee recommendation includes not
less than the United States share of operating expenses for the
Arctic Council.
RELATED AGENCY
United States Agency for Global Media
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $807,896,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 628,076,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 807,896,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +179,820,000
The Committee recommendation includes $807,896,000 to carry
out United States international communications activities and
operations overseen by the United States Agency for Global
Media (USAGM), formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of
Governors, of which $798,196,000 is for International
Broadcasting Operations and $9,700,000 is for Broadcasting
Capital Improvements.
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS
The Committee recommendation includes $798,196,000 for
International Broadcasting Operations, which is $174,671,000
above the request.
International Broadcasting Operations (IBO) funds the
operating, programming, and engineering costs of the Agency,
including the Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba
Broadcasting (OCB), as well as the independent grantees: Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); Radio Free Asia (RFA); and
the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). Funds made
available under this heading are allocated according to the
following table and are subject to the requirements of sections
7015 and 7061 of this Act:
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING OPERATIONS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USAGM Entities and Independent Grantees Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Entities:
International Broadcasting Bureau................ $59,807
of which, Internet Freedom................... [13,800]
Office of Cuba Broadcasting...................... 12,973
Office of Technology Services and Innovation..... 181,843
Voice of America................................. 260,000
------------------
Subtotal, Federal Entities................... 514,623
Independent Grantee Organizations:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.................. 126,038
Radio Free Asia.................................. 46,223
Middle East Broadcasting Networks................ 111,312
------------------
Subtotal, Independent Grantees............... 283,573
------------------
Total, International Broadcasting 798,196
Operations..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee expects USAGM to keep the Committee informed
of the implementation of reforms, data-driven programing, and
evidence of the Agency's effectiveness in creating access to
independent information, countering propaganda and extremist
rhetoric, and promoting United States public diplomacy.
Additionally, the Committee directs that any significant
modifications to USAGM broadcast hours previously justified to
Congress, including changes to transmission platforms, for all
USAGM language services be subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
The Committee recommendation continues the requirement that
USAGM notify the Committees on Appropriations within 15 days of
any determination by the CEO that any of its broadcast entities
were found to be in violation of the principles, standards, or
journalistic code of ethics.
Countering Internet censorship.--The Committee
recommendation includes $13,800,000 under International
Broadcasting Bureau for global internet freedom for the
expansion of unrestricted access to information on the Internet
in accordance with section 7050 of this Act. In addition,
$1,200,000 is included within funds provided for RFA for the
personnel costs associated with Internet freedom activities,
bringing the total provided for such programs to $15,000,000
for fiscal year 2020.
Section 7050(b) requires the USAGM Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) to submit to the Committees on Appropriations a spend
plan for funds made available for programs to promote Internet
freedom globally. Such spend plan shall detail amounts planned
for such programs, including amounts to be programmed by the
Open Technology Fund.
Central and Eastern Europe.--The Committee is concerned
with significant media consolidation in the hands of
government-friendly outlets in several Central and Eastern
European nations. The presence of a free press helps to reduce
opportunities for the spread of insidious Russian
disinformation and influence and shed light on government
corruption. The Committee encourages the USAGM to restart RFE/
RL services in countries facing such threats to freedom of the
press.
Countering Russian disinformation.--The Committee supports
efforts to counter Russia's aggressive disinformation and
propaganda campaign, particularly through the development of
effective Russian language programming. The Committee notes
that USAGM's Current Time, a 24/7 Russian language digital
television network is intended to provide Russian speakers
around the world with truthful, independent journalism. The
Committee recommendation includes funds above the fiscal year
program level for both VOA and RFE/RL to expand Current Time
programming.
East Asia and the Pacific.--The Committee recommendation
provides $46,224,000 for RFA, an increase of $2,000,000 over
the fiscal year 2019 program plan. The Committee supports the
Tibetan language services of the VOA and RFA, which the
Committee understands provide the only sources of independent
information accessible to the people of Tibet. The Committee
directs the USAGM to continue Tibetan language programming at
not less than current levels.
The Committee also supports the allocation of additional
funds to increase the capacity for translation, radio
broadcasts, and social media of the Uighur service of RFA.
The Committee recommendation includes funds for VOA and RFA
to maintain Korean programming. The Committee supports USAGM's
plans to expand coverage on North Korea domestic news, enhance
the information flow to the North on life outside of North
Korea, and counter pervasive false narratives presented by the
North Korean Government.
Latin America.--Within the increase provided for VOA, the
Committee recommendation includes funds to maintain and expand
the additional programming and activities of the Latin America
Division of VOA begun in fiscal year 2019. The Committee
expects USAGM to continue the focus on countries such as
Venezuela and Nicaragua, where authoritarian governments censor
news coverage and access to independent media is restricted.
Office of Cuba Broadcasting.--The Committee recommendation
provides $12,973,000 for OCB radio and TV Marti, which is the
same as the fiscal year 2020 request.
Persian programming.--The Committee recommendation for VOA
and RFE/RL supports the USAGM's programs targeted to Persian
audiences, including the new VOA 365 Persian Service launched
in early 2019 and the ongoing Radio Farda of RFE/RL.
The Balkans.--The Committee provides sufficient funding to
continue RFE/RL broadcasting to the Balkans, including
programming in the Montenegrin language as part of the effort
to promote the sovereignty in the region.
VOA Pakistan.--The Committee notes that Sindhi is the
native language of an estimated 45 million people in Pakistan.
The Committee urges VOA to consider initiating Sindh language
broadcasting.
Report
Russian language program.--Not later than 45 days after
enactment of this Act, the USAGM shall report to the Committees
on Appropriations on plans to increase the viewership and reach
of Current Time and other Russian language programming.
BROADCASTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The Committee recommendation includes $9,700,000 for
broadcasting capital improvements.
RELATED PROGRAMS
The Asia Foundation
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $17,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 19,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +2,000,000
Change from request............................... +19,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $19,000,000 for The
Asia Foundation for combating misinformation and online fraud
through innovative uses of technology, promoting internet
connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, and re-opening
programming in the Pacific islands. The Committee
recommendation does not assume the closure of The Asia
Foundation as proposed by the fiscal year 2020 request.
The Committee directs The Asia Foundation (TAF) to continue
to work in consultation with the Department of State to develop
priorities and programming.
The Committee supports the efforts of TAF to seek
additional sources of funding to sustain program activities.
The Committee directs TAF to include a summary table in the CBJ
for fiscal year 2021 detailing total revenue and support by
category for fiscal year 2019 and projected for fiscal year
2020.
United States Institute of Peace
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $38,634,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 19,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 38,634,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +19,634,000
The Committee recommendation includes $38,634,000 for
United States Institute of Peace.
The Committee notes that, in addition to appropriated
funds, United States Institute of Peace (USIP) receives
resources from interagency transfers, reimbursements, and
offsetting receipts to support USIP programs. The Committee
directs USIP to fully implement fee-based or reimbursable
agreements, where appropriate, as a means of sustaining USIP
activities and programs in a fiscally constrained environment.
In addition, the Committee directs USIP to include information
in the CBJ for fiscal year 2020 on the amount of funds received
from other Federal agencies and the amount of revenue generated
from fees and reimbursable agreements.
Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $185,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 245,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 245,000
Change from enacted level......................... +60,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommends an appropriation for fiscal year
2020 of interest and earnings from the Center for Middle
Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund, as authorized by section
633 of Public Law 108-199. Interest and earnings for fiscal
year 2020 are projected to total $245,000.
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $190,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 270,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 270,000
Change from enacted level......................... +80,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommends an appropriation for fiscal year
2020 of interest and earnings from the Eisenhower Exchange
Fellowship Program Trust Fund, as authorized by sections 4 and
5 of the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990. Interest
and earnings for fiscal year 2020 are projected to total
$270,000.
Israeli Arab Scholarship Program
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $68,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 124,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 124,000
Change from enacted level......................... +56,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommends an appropriation for fiscal year
2020 of interest and earnings from the Israeli Arab Scholarship
Endowment Fund, as authorized by section 214 of the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993.
Interest and earnings for fiscal year 2020 are projected to
total $124,000.
East-West Center
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $16,700,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 16,700,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +16,700,000
The Committee recommendation include an appropriation for
the East-West Center of $16,700,000.
National Endowment for Democracy
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $180,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 67,275,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 180,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +112,725,000
The Committee recommendation includes $180,000,000 for
National Endowment for Democracy. Of this amount, $117,500,000
shall be allocated in the traditional and customary manner,
including for the core institutes. The remaining $62,500,000
shall be for democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs;
as well as for supporting the National Endowment for
Democracy's (NED) mid-to long-term strategic approach and
response to immediate and unanticipated challenges or
opportunities. The President of the NED shall consult with the
core institutes on the use of such funds, and the core
institutes shall be eligible to receive funds for such
purposes. The Committee encourages the Department of State and
USAID to recognize NED's ability to help address transnational
threats to democracy through its network of core institutes and
its grants program activities and supports coordination and
cooperation with NED on developing a comprehensive approach
defending democratic norms and values.
Funds made available under this heading shall continue to
be provided directly to the NED and shall not be subject to
prior approval by the Department of State or USAID.
Administrative or management surcharges, and minimal expenses,
if any, should be charged to Department of State operating
expenses. The NED should not be precluded from competitively
bidding on other grant solicitations.
The Committee recommendation includes language exempting
funds made available under this heading from the operating plan
requirements of section 7061(a) of this Act.
Report
Uses of funds.--The Committee directs the President of the
NED to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, on the proposed
uses of the funds provided under this heading on a regional and
country basis. The report should include a description of
programmatic goals for each region and country and how the
planned use of funds will meet such goals. The Committee
directs the NED to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations in advance of any significant deviation from the
plans outlined in such report.
OTHER COMMISSIONS
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $675,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 642,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 642,000
Change from enacted level......................... -33,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $642,000 for
Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad,
as authorized.
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $4,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 4,500,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $4,500,000 for the
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, as
authorized by title II of the IRFA of 1998.
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $2,579,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 2,579,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,579,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $2,579,000 for
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, as authorized
by Public Law 94-304.
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of China
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $2,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 2,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 for the
Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's Republic of
China.
The Committee directs the Commission to report annually to
the President and Congressional leadership on the compliance of
the People's Republic of China with international human rights
standards, track the rule of law in the People's Republic of
China, and make recommendations for policy action and
legislation, when appropriate.
United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $3,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 3,500,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $3,500,000 for United
States-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
The Committee recommendation continues by reference the
authorities, conditions, and limitations carried under this
heading in division F of Public Law 111-117 that provide an
administrative framework for the operations of the Commission.
Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 500,000
Change from enacted level......................... -1,000,000
Change from request............................... +500,000
The Committee recommendation includes $500,000 for the
Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission, as authorized by
title VI of the Department of State Authorities Act, Fiscal
Year 2017 (Public Law 114-323). The recommendation provides an
additional year of availability of funds in order to cover the
costs of salaries and expenses through sunset of the
Commission. The report required by section 601(c) of such Act
shall also be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations.
TITLE II--UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Funds Appropriated to the President
OPERATING EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $1,372,875,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,275,200,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,404,756,000
Change from enacted level......................... +31,881,000
Change from request............................... +129,556,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $158,067,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
The Committee recommendation includes $1,404,756,000 for
Operating Expenses.
Funds under this heading are provided for salaries and
expenses of employees of USAID, personal service contractors,
and employees hired by other Federal agencies but assigned to
USAID. The recommendation includes funding for not less than
1,600 permanent Civil Service staff and 1,850 permanent Foreign
Service Officers, restoring USAID personnel to fiscal year 2016
levels.
Funds in this Act under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and are subject to sections
7015 and 7061 of this Act.
OPERATING EXPENSES
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overseas Operations:
Field Missions................................... $505,316
Salaries and Benefits, U.S. Direct Hire personnel 289,166
------------------
Subtotal, Overseas Operations................ 794,482
Washington Support:
Washington Bureaus and Offices................... 105,673
Salaries and Benefits, U.S. Direct Hire personnel 377,895
------------------
Subtotal, Washington Support................. 483,568
Central Support:
Information Technology........................... 117,798
Rent and General Support......................... 121,752
Staff Training................................... 25,075
Personnel Support................................ 24,851
Other Agency Costs............................... 22,230
------------------
Subtotal, Central Support.................... 311,706
------------------
Total, Operating Expenses................ 1,589,756
of which, fiscal year 2020 1,404,756
appropriations......................
of which, carryover and other sources 185,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Service hiring.--The Committee notes the significant
reductions to USAID's permanent Civil Service personnel levels
since fiscal year 2016 and USAID's continued inability to
backfill positions lost during the hiring freeze. The Committee
is concerned that, even after the hiring freeze was lifted,
USAID has continued to use a centralized hiring board to
approve hiring actions on a case-by-case basis. The Committee
believes this has stymied the efficient on-boarding of Civil
Service staff and prevented USAID from effective workforce
planning. The Committee directs the USAID Administrator to
eliminate the use of such a board for position by position
hiring approvals and instead rely on its strategic workforce
plan and the Office of Human Capital and Talent Management. The
Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in this
heading.
Gender training.--The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to ensure that appropriate staff are adequately
trained in conducting gender analysis of proposed programs,
able to mainstream gender considerations throughout project
design, and disaggregate impact through monitoring and
evaluation.
Human Rights Division.--The Committee recommendation
includes funding for the Human Rights Division and LGBTI
portfolio at no less than prior year levels.
International conferences.--The Committee directs that
funds made available by this Act shall not be used to send or
pay for more than 50 United States government employees
stationed within the United States to attend any single
international conference outside of the United States attended
by representatives from the United States and foreign
governments as well as international and nongovernmental
organizations. The Committee expects that should it become
necessary for more than 50 United States government employees
to attend such a conference, the USAID Administrator shall
report to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days
in advance and justify why such attendance is important to the
national interest.
Local currencies.--The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to include in the fiscal year 2021 CBJ the use of
local currencies for the administrative requirements of the
United States Government as authorized in section 7026 of this
Act including the amount (and United States dollar equivalent)
to be used for such purpose in each applicable country.
Procurement.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator
to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on any
proposed significant or substantive change to USAID guidance or
directives related to acquisition and assistance prior to
issuing such guidance or directives to USAID posts worldwide.
As in prior years, USAID is directed to notify the
Committees on Appropriations 15 days prior to any procurement
action that involves awarding of a sole source contract or
other non-competitive grant or contract; raising the ceiling on
an existing Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC); issuing a new
IQC; awarding an umbrella grant; or raising the ceiling on an
existing umbrella grant. The Committee expects the thresholds
for notification to be the same as in prior years.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the
difficulty with which United States companies, including small,
minority-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises;
universities; and non-governmental organizations have in
navigating the acquisitions and assistance process at USAID.
The Committee expects that, to the maximum extent practicable,
the USAID Administrator shall ensure that United States small,
minority-owned, veteran, and disadvantaged business enterprises
and faith-based organizations fully participate in the
provision of goods and services especially if they have a
proven record of promoting local self-reliance and democratic
governance.
Science and technology research.--The Committee notes USAID
issued a Public Access Plan on increasing access to the results
of federally funded scientific research and urges continued
implementation of such plan.
Strategic workforce plan.--The Committee is concerned about
the absence of a current strategic workforce plan for USAID.
Strategic workforce planning addresses two critical needs of
federal agencies: (1) aligning an organization's human capital
program with its current and emerging mission and programmatic
goals; and (2) developing long-term strategies for acquiring,
developing, and retaining staff to achieve such goals. The
Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in this
heading.
Staff care and resilience.--The Committee is concerned
about the health impacts on USAID employees working in high-
stress environments such as conflict and post-conflict zones.
The Committee supports USAID efforts to provide staff care and
resilience tools to its employees. The Committee includes
further language under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Workforce diversity initiatives.--Funds appropriated under
this heading shall be made available to increase USAID
workforce diversity initiatives over prior year levels,
including for fellowships to promote diversity and excellence
in the Foreign Service, such as the Donald M. Payne
International Development Graduate Fellowship Program. The
Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in this
heading.
Reports
Civil Service hiring.--The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 30 days after enactment of this
Act, on the number and description of each Civil Service
position submitted for approval by the Hiring Reassignment and
Review Board in fiscal year 2019, the number approved to date,
and the number on-boarded to date.
Procurement.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator
to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not
later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, on any
procurement actions for which competition was limited, and the
justification for each such action taken, during fiscal year
2019.
Staff care and resilience.--The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, detailing current staff care and resilience programs for
employees and the associated funding for such programs.
Strategic workforce plan.--The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to provide to the Committees on Appropriations,
not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, a
comprehensive strategic workforce plan to include proposed U.S.
Direct Hire position levels by overseas region, and bureau or
independent office in Washington, a discussion of major
workforce drivers, and any proposed footprint changes at USAID
overseas missions in fiscal year 2020 and the next two fiscal
years.
Workforce diversity initiatives.--The Committee directs the
USAID Administrator to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, that describes all workforce diversity activities,
including the associated funding and results of such
initiatives.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $225,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 198,300,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 210,300,000
Change from enacted level......................... -14,700,000
Change from request............................... +12,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $210,300,000 for
Capital Investment Fund to fund the USAID Capital Security Cost
Sharing bill and information technology investments. The
Committee notes that USAID must submit an operating plan to the
Committees on Appropriations as required in section 7061(a) of
this Act.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $76,600,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 71,500,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 75,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... -1,100,000
Change from request............................... +4,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $75,500,000 for
Office of Inspector General and directs the OIG to submit its
annual audit plan within the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.
TITLE III--BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $8,837,450,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 6,343,475,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 9,296,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... +459,050,000
Change from request............................... +2,953,025,000
The Committee recommendation includes $9,296,500,000 for
Global Health Programs.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maternal and Child Health:........................... $850,000
of which, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus.......... 2,000
of which, Polio.................................. 59,000
of which, The GAVI Alliance...................... 290,000
Nutrition (USAID):................................... 145,000
of which, Iodine Deficiency Disorder............. 2,500
of which, Micronutrients......................... 33,000
Vitamin A (non-add).......................... [22,500]
Vulnerable Children:................................. 24,000
of which, Blind Children......................... 3,500
HIV/AIDS (USAID):.................................... 330,000
of which, Microbicides........................... 45,000
HIV/AIDS (Department of State):...................... 5,930,000
of which, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis 1,560,000
and Malaria.....................................
of which, UNAIDS................................. 45,000
Family Planning and Reproductive Health:............. 750,000
Other Infectious Diseases (USAID):................... 1,267,500
of which, Global Health Security................. 100,000
of which, Malaria................................ 755,000
of which, Tuberculosis........................... 310,000
Global TB Drug Facility (non-add)............ [15,000]
of which, Neglected Tropical Diseases/Other 102,500
Public Health Threats...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USAID Global Health Programs
The Committee recommendation includes $3,366,500,000 for
USAID global health programs to be directly apportioned to
USAID.
Maternal and child health.--The Committee continues funds
for programs that have proven effective in reducing maternal
and child mortality. The Committee directs USAID to support, at
not less than the prior year level, programs to prevent and
treat obstetric fistula.
Malaria.--Within the funds made available for malaria, the
Committee encourages USAID's continued support for public-
private partnerships; research and development; diagnostics and
vector control; and access and delivery of anti-malarial
medicine, including effective pediatric formulations and
alternatives to counter resistance. The Committee encourages
USAID to support the development and introduction of anti-
malarial tools targeted to young children and those that
interrupt transmission of the disease.
Health systems strengthening.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of strong health systems in low and middle income
countries to the sustainment of global health success and
progress in preventing and responding to non-communicable
diseases. The Committee encourages the USAID Administrator, in
consultation with the United States Office of the Global AIDS
Coordinator (OGAC) and the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), to increase access to quality
health care through frontline health workers, particularly at
the community level, as part of their strategy to prevent child
and maternal deaths and build sustainable health systems. The
Committee encourages USAID to maintain its focus on the
strengthening of health systems in partner countries and the
integration of programs across health interventions. The
Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in this
heading.
Nutrition.--The Committee supports effective nutrition
interventions, including to reduce stunting and wasting,
increase breastfeeding and nutrition supplementation for
pregnant women, promote early childhood development, and treat
severe malnutrition, including through multilateral mechanisms.
The Committee supports implementation of the Multi-Sectoral
Nutrition Strategy to cohesively support the needs of
vulnerable women and children, including those children in
institutional care or other non-permanent family care. The
Committee encourages USAID to make funding available for
program implementation research, including in cooperation with
other donors and through public-private partnerships, to
develop and adopt best practices in nutrition that enhance
health outcomes.
Other health matters.--The Committee directs that USAID
consult with the Committees on Appropriations on the estimated
need and cost-effectiveness of supporting programs that focus
on the following health issues: children with hydrocephalus;
children with autism; and neurological disorders, including
Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Committee encourages
USAID to consider treatment and training programs focused on
cleft lip, cleft palate and other neglected issues such as
congenital cataracts, club foot, and hernias.
Polio.--The Committee provides funding under this heading
for global programs to combat and eradicate polio and notes
that global polio eradication programs are also funded by the
CDC.
Reproductive health and voluntary family planning.--The
Committee recommendation includes $750,000,000 for reproductive
health and voluntary family planning in this Act. The Committee
continues prior year restrictions on the use of any funds in
this Act for abortion as a method of family planning or to
motivate or coerce any person to practice abortion.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State, when making a
determination of support or participation in coercive abortion
or involuntary sterilization, to include in any such
determination to the appropriate congressional committees the
investigatory steps taken over the previous twelve months to
determine that such organization directly supports the
management of such program, the interviews conducted, and the
evidence collected.
The Committee recognizes that information and assistance
for women and families interested in healthy timing and spacing
of pregnancies can enhance maternal and child health and
improve the chances of survival of women and children. The
Committee urges USAID to prioritize voluntarism and informed
choice in expanding the reach and impact of family planning
programs by providing counseling, education, and services on a
full range of modern and effective contraceptive methods.
Furthermore, the Committee urges USAID to promote the awareness
and use of Internet-based technology that supports fertility-
awareness methods of family planning that are proven effective.
Research.--The Committee recognizes the important role
USAID has played in health-related research and supports
continued investments in global health technologies across the
agency's health programs to better address longstanding and
emerging global health challenges. To further this effort, the
Committee directs the Department of State and USAID to
coordinate and undertake a consultative process with the
Department of Defense, the CDC, the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration, and OGAC as
agencies develop their global health research priorities to
ensure that United States investments in global health research
are efficient, coordinated, and streamlined.
The Committee encourages USAID to include efforts to find
new diagnostic and treatment tools for tuberculosis and
effective, affordable contraceptives in their research agenda.
The Committee includes further language under ``Reports'' in
this heading.
Tuberculosis.--The Committee recommendation includes
funding to combat drug-susceptible and drug-resistant
tuberculosis. The USAID Administrator is directed to consult
with the Committees on Appropriations regarding the use of
funds in this Act for such purposes.
The Committee expects progress reports issued on the
National Action Plan for Combating Multidrug-Resistant
Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to include, on a country-by-country
basis, a description of: efforts to increase active case
finding; the use of molecular diagnosis methods; the number of
adults and children receiving treatment for MDR-TB; the
proportion of those treated with regimens that include new
tuberculosis drugs; efforts to address side-effects of
treatment; factors impeding scale up; and progress in expanding
community-based care.
Vaccines.--The Committee recommends a United States
contribution of $290,000,000 for The GAVI Alliance in
recognition that vaccines are key to decreasing the number of
children who die before age five.
The Committee notes USAID's investments in malaria and HIV/
AIDS vaccine development and supports continued efforts to
create effective vaccines for malaria and HIV/AIDS as part of a
comprehensive prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategy.
The USAID Administrator should also consider vaccine
development efforts to prevent and respond to outbreaks from
deadly viruses from funds provided for global health security.
Furthermore, the Committee directs the USAID Administrator to
consult with the Committees on Appropriations on amounts
proposed for vaccine development for fiscal year 2020.
Vulnerable children.--The Committee recommendation includes
funds to support programs and activities that address the needs
of vulnerable children, including childhood blindness programs
that build capacity for vision screening and address vision
impairment. Children are particularly vulnerable to the
psychological impacts of conflict and the Department of State
and USAID are encouraged to prioritize interventions to assist
children recovering from trauma.
The Committee looks forward to the release of an updated
United States Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity
(APCA), and supports USAID's objectives of building strong
beginnings, putting family care first, and protecting children
from violence, abuse, and neglect. In carrying out these
programs, USAID should partner with organizations that
demonstrate an expertise promoting permanent family-based care,
foster care programs in and outside of family networks, and
preventing unnecessary family separation. The new Action Plan
should include evidence-based strategies to protect children
from violence and abuse. The Committee directs the USAID
Administrator to regularly update the Committee on APCA
implementation.
Reports, USAID
Health systems.--The USAID Administrator is directed to
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 90
days after enactment of this Act, on the outcomes achieved over
the last 12 months by U.S. global health programming including
areas where results are being sustained by the transfer of
responsibility to local health systems. The report should
include best practices of global health integration as well as
barriers to achieving greater integration including across
funding streams and agencies.
Research.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator to
continue the annual report on health-related research, which is
important for transparency and oversight of the agency's work
on global health research to be submitted not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act. For fiscal year 2020, the
report should also include information on the consultative
process to determine global health research priorities as
directed under this heading.
Global health security and emerging health threats.--The
Committee recommendation includes funds to promote global
health security and to address emerging health threats
overseas. Not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act,
and prior to the initial obligation of funds, the Committee
directs the USAID Administrator to submit to the Committees on
Appropriations a report on the proposed uses of such funds on a
country and project basis including possible contributions to
multilateral mechanisms. The Committee directs that such report
shall be updated and submitted to the Committees on
Appropriations every 90 days until the funds are obligated.
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment
The Committee recommendation includes a total of
$6,260,000,000 to fight HIV/AIDS. Of this amount, the Committee
recommendation includes $5,930,000,000 to be directly
apportioned to the Department of State, which is an increase of
$210,000,000 above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. The
Committee recommends continued support for a United States
contribution to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
(UNAIDS).
The Committee recognizes the significant achievements of
the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through
the support of anti-retroviral treatment, testing, counseling,
and other prevention measures. The Committee recommends
prioritizing pregnant women within programs to prevent and
treat HIV and expects OGAC to continue efforts to provide HIV
positive pregnant women services to prevent mother-to-child
transmission, including targeted testing strategies and
adherence support through breastfeeding. Additionally, the
Committee recommends that OGAC build upon the success of the
Accelerating Children's Treatment Initiative, particularly for
infants and young children at the highest risk of dying without
treatment. The Committee urges OGAC to ensure that women and
girls have adequate access through their existing health
providers to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services.
The Committee directs OGAC to focus on capacity for HIV
diagnostics, including early infant diagnosis and the use of
point-of-care diagnostics; anti-retroviral treatment with age-
appropriate pediatric formulations; and improving case-finding
and adherence support.
For PEPFAR, sustainability means that a country has
services, systems, and resources to effectively and efficiently
control the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Committee directs PEPFAR to
include in its annual report a country-by-country assessment of
sustainability and the country specific obstacles to
sustainability.
The Committee supports OGAC's engagement with post-
secondary institutions as authorized in section 204(c) of
Public Law 110-293 and directs OGAC to consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on its efforts in this area.
Microbicides.--The Committee recommends continued support
for microbicide development and directs OGAC to coordinate with
USAID, NIH, other Federal agencies, and donors in order to
advance microbicide development and implementation. The
Committee directs OGAC to work with USAID on a plan for product
rollout and access and update the Committees on Appropriations
on a regular basis on the use of funds in fiscal year 2020.
Key populations.--The Committee expects that a focus on key
populations be central to PEPFAR's prevention and treatment
strategies to include countering stigma and discrimination of
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI)
persons.
The Committee understands OGAC and USAID are exploring
partnerships to prevent the spread of human papillomavirus and
cervical cancer through screening and treatment programs in
low-income countries with high prevalence and directs OGAC and
USAID to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on plans
for and progress of such partnerships. The Committee notes
there was no request for programs to diagnose or treat cervical
cancer and the Committee directs that no funds be reprogrammed
from multilateral organizations for such purpose.
Global Fund.--The Committee recommendation includes
$1,560,000,000 for the first installment of the sixth
replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis,
and Malaria. The Committee notes that this amount shall be
fully obligated for this first installment unless the
conditions of section 202(d) of the United States Leadership
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, as
amended, have not been met or the maximum threshold in such
section has been exceeded. Oversight of the Global Fund remains
a top priority, as well as continued support for an independent
Office of the Inspector General. The Committee includes further
language under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Programs for vulnerable children.--The Committee encourages
OGAC to continue to align existing programs for vulnerable
children with the goals and objectives of APCA and ensure that
orphans and vulnerable children remain a priority within PEPFAR
country programs. The Committee supports the continued
integration of APCA's first objective into PEPFAR Mother-to-
Child Transmission Programs; continued support for efforts to
meet the needs of children living outside of family care, and
mitigation of the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and
adolescents in affected communities. Progress toward these
goals should be reported as part of PEPFAR's Annual Report to
Congress.
The Committee is disappointed in the lack of responsiveness
to congressional inquiries and encourages OGAC to improve in
this area.
Reports, OGAC
Localization.--The Committee supports OGAC's effort to
build greater sustainability into its life-saving programs by
transferring responsibility to national governments and local
implementers. However, the transition must be carefully
implemented and monitored to ensure careful stewardship of
taxpayer resources and continuous coverage for beneficiaries.
The Committee encourages PEPFAR to consider transitional grants
and other innovative mechanisms that will allow for the
responsible transfer of responsibility to a new implementing
partner. The Committee directs that, not later than 45 days
after enactment of this Act, and prior to the approval of any
fiscal year 2020 Country Operating Plan, the United States
Global AIDS Coordinator shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a plan for the greater use of local
partners that includes the following: (1) the process used by
OGAC to determine an organization's ability to meet the
responsibilities of a PEPFAR implementer; (2) procedures to
identify, manage, and mitigate any risks identified; and (3)
plans to monitor the consistency and quality of service
delivery and respond quickly if a gap is identified.
Global Fund.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State
to report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than
90 days after enactment of this Act, on the Global Fund's
progress on the following: (1) maintaining transparency,
including the publication of the Global Fund OIG reports on a
public website; (2) providing sufficient resources and policies
for an independent OIG; (3) publication of regular audits and
investigations of financial, programmatic, and reporting
aspects of the Global Fund, its grantees, recipients, and Local
Fund Agents; and (4) enforcement of policies which reflect best
practices for the protection of whistleblowers.
Pediatric treatment.--The Committee directs the Secretary
of State to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 90 days after enactment of the
Act, on PEPFAR's current and planned activities to: (1) reduce
new HIV infections in children and adolescents to the most
effective treatment; (2) link HIV-positive children and
adolescents to the most effective treatment regimens and retain
them in care; and (3) mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on
children and adolescents in HIV-affected communities.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $3,000,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request\1\........................... 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,164,867,000
Change from enacted level......................... +1,164,867,000
Change from request............................... +4,164,867,000
\1\The fiscal year 2020 request proposes to consolidate funds under this
heading and Economic Support Fund.
The Committee recommendation includes $4,164,867,000 for
Development Assistance. Programs funded by this account should
be directed for long-term development programs to build the
resilience and stability of communities and support broad-based
economic growth.
The Committee's recommendation includes most countries'
long-term development programs even if they are also receiving
support under the heading Economic Support Fund.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/Program Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa:
Cameroon......................................... $4,000
Central African Republic......................... 3,000
Chad............................................. 3,000
Democratic Republic of the Congo................. 75,188
Djibouti......................................... 9,000
Liberia.......................................... 65,500
Niger............................................ 20,000
West Africa Anti-Slavery......................... 2,000
Counter-Lord's Resistance Army Program........... 10,000
East Asia and the Pacific:
Burma............................................ 55,000
Vietnam, Vietnam Education Foundation Act........ 5,000
Countering Violent Extremism in Asia............. 2,500
Near East:
Lebanon.......................................... 56,300
of which, scholarships....................... 12,000
Morocco.......................................... 10,000
Refugee Scholarships............................. 8,000
South and Central Asia:
Bangladesh labor programs........................ 3,000
Sri Lanka........................................ 30,000
Western Hemisphere:
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean............... 2,000
Colombia......................................... 61,000
El Salvador...................................... 55,035
Guatemala........................................ 93,000
Haiti............................................ 51,000
Honduras......................................... 75,000
Mexico........................................... 10,000
Nicaragua........................................ 10,000
of which, democracy programs................. 10,000
Global Programs:
American Schools and Hospitals Abroad............ 30,000
Combating Child Marriage......................... 15,000
Community Development Fund....................... 80,000
Cooperative Development.......................... 14,500
Disability Programs.............................. 10,000
Feed the Future Innovation Labs.................. 55,000
Global Crop Diversity Trust...................... 5,500
Low Cost Eyeglasses Pilot Program................ 2,500
Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program.............. 1,500
Patrick Leahy War Victims Fund................... 13,500
Section 7060(f) Reconciliation Programs.......... 30,000
Trade Capacity Building.......................... 18,000
USAID Advisor for Indigenous Peoples Issues...... 3,500
Victims of Torture............................... 12,000
Wheelchairs...................................... 5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture
The Committee recommendation includes not less than
$1,005,600,000 for food security and agriculture development as
authorized by the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (Public Law
114-195). The Committee appreciates the whole-of-government
approach presented in the Global Food Security Strategy and
directs the USAID Administrator to consult with the Committees
on Appropriations on such strategy, including the benchmarks
and performance metrics. The Committee recognizes the
importance of biofortification as a part of the Global Food
Security Strategy and urges continued support for such efforts.
The Committee supports Feed the Future's comprehensive
approach to combating global food insecurity and poverty and
intends that programs are prioritized for small-holder farmers,
particularly for women, and other vulnerable populations. The
Committee supports the Global Food Security Strategy's
recognition of agricultural research and academic institutions,
including land-grant universities and extension services, as
key stakeholders in food security and agricultural development.
The Committee expects the USAID Administrator to ensure that
country coordinators for agriculture development in target
countries have the necessary technical expertise to oversee all
food security programming in such countries. The Committee
supports efforts to ensure there are adequate storage
facilities and distribution systems available in recipient
countries to prevent spoilage or waste, and encourages the
deployment of American technology and management systems to
enhance post-harvest food safety and security. The Committee
intends that funds provided to countries for food security and
agricultural development should be made available at levels not
less than the prior fiscal year, particularly for countries
with high levels of food insecurity.
Agricultural research.--The Committee recommendation
includes not less than $142,200,000 for the research
initiatives of the Bureau for Food Security, of which
$55,000,000 is for the Feed the Future Innovation Labs. The
Committee commends USAID for its increased engagement with
United States universities to capitalize on the unparalleled
research capacities of United States institutions of higher
education to solve the world's most challenging agricultural
development and food security problems. The Committee directs
that the request level for the research and development
initiatives be designated in the CBJ for fiscal year 2021.
Market-based social enterprises.--The Committee supports
the work of market-based social enterprises, and encourages
USAID to continue partnering with organizations that engage
with small-holder farmers or other beneficiaries in cost-
sharing programs to reduce the cost of program administration.
Economic Growth
Illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing.--The
Committee encourages USAID to support efforts to combat IUU
fishing by building the capacity of countries to adopt
sustainable fisheries management and seafood import monitoring
programs.
Microenterprise and microfinance.--The Committee
recommendation includes not less than $265,000,000 in this Act
for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The Committee
directs the USAID Administrator to prioritize investments in
microenterprise and microfinance in sub-Saharan Africa to reach
the poorest and most marginalized and to consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on efforts to focus existing
resources for this purpose. The Committee supports such
programs to promote economic development in communities
throughout the developing world and encourages USAID to
continue such programs in Mexico and Central America.
The Committee supports funding consistent with prior years
to support the programs and activities of the Office of Private
Capital and Microenterprise.
Trade capacity building.--The Committee continues to
support capacity building activities, specifically on labor and
environmental standards, in countries with free trade
agreements with the United States to ensure that United States
workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field.
The Committee directs that not less than half of such funding
be allocated for labor activities, including efforts to bring
workers into the formal economy. The Department of State and
USAID are directed to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations prior to the obligation of these funds.
Education
American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA).--The
Committee recommendation includes not less than $30,000,000 for
the ASHA program. The Committee continues to recognize the
important contributions made to United States foreign policy
interests by institutions funded by this program, including
fostering a positive image of the United States around the
world. The Committee notes the distinct mandate of ASHA from
other USAID development programs, including the focus on public
diplomacy and fostering American values, ideas, and practices.
The Committee also notes that many of the successful ASHA
programs operate in countries that are largely absent of other
USAID programs. The Committee expects ASHA funds to continue to
be allocated through an open and competitive process. The
Committee expects USAID to allocate funds to administer the
ASHA program from funds provided for Operating Expenses on a
proportionate basis with other agency programs.
The Committee directs the USAID Administrator to notify the
Committees on Appropriations prior to making any changes to the
annual solicitation for ASHA, including consulting with the
Committees on Appropriations not less than 15 days prior to
issuing the annual solicitation for ASHA. In addition, the
Committee directs USAID to restore past performance to the
review criteria in the annual solicitation.
Basic education.--The Committee believes basic education
should be a key component of the United States Government
strategy in developing countries. The Committee recommendation
includes not less than $925,000,000 for basic education
programs in this Act. The Committee includes further language
under ``Reports'' in this heading.
The Committee encourages USAID to build local capacity and
leadership development in the education sector and ensure all
children gain the foundational skills essential to success.
Basic education funds should also be used for secondary
education activities and to prioritize girls education which is
critical to their future economic empowerment and United States
foreign policy objectives.
The Committee encourages USAID to continue to strengthen
early learning and pre-primary education programming. USAID
should explore opportunities to promote early child development
through ongoing activities and programs, including screening
for early development delays and training for caregivers about
behaviors that promote brain development.
The Committee believes that schools can be centers of
learning and development for an entire community and expects
programs in other sectors to be integrated with schools and
educational programs as much as possible. USAID should
prioritize technical assistance for local governments to foster
communities of learning and encourage recipient countries and
other donors to pursue comprehensive development efforts to
support these programs. The Committee recommends USAID consider
school-based eye health programs to help ensure access to
eyeglasses for children. The Committee encourages USAID to
place an emphasis on basic education programs in the Western
Hemisphere.
Higher education.--The Committee recommendation includes
not less than $235,000,000 for assistance for higher education.
The recommendation includes funds for partnerships between
higher education institutions in the United States and Malawi.
The Committee notes the important role United States
universities have played in advancing recent innovations in e-
learning and directs USAID to include a focus within
partnerships in Malawi to increase access to higher education
through the use of this technology.
The Committee commends USAID for its engagement with U.S.
universities to solve the world's most challenging development
problems, including through the Feed the Future Innovation Labs
and the Higher Education Solutions Network. Furthermore, the
Committee recommendation includes not less than $35,000,000 for
programs to build institutional capacity of universities and
colleges in developing nations through partnerships with United
States universities, of which not less than $15,000,000 is for
new partnerships. The Committee directs USAID to initiate new
competitive grants for partnerships of a sufficient length and
size to make a transformational impact on colleges and
universities in developing nations.
The Committee supports funds for higher education programs
in the Western Hemisphere. The Committee notes that reaching
underserved populations in Latin America and the Caribbean with
educational programs of sufficient duration to provide
leadership, language skills, and career training is important
for countries' economic and social development. Therefore, the
Committee urges USAID to prioritize educational opportunities
at post-secondary institutions for underserved populations in
the region.
The Committee expects funds provided for higher education
to be made available through open and competitive processes.
Environment.--The Committee supports efforts to address
changes in the environment that are impacting global stability
and U.S. national security. The Committee directs that
biodiversity programs shall not support the expansion of
industrial logging or any other industrial scale extractive
activity into areas that were primary/intact tropical forests
as of December 30, 2013. The Committee directs the Secretary of
the Treasury to instruct the United States executive director
of each international financial institution to vote against any
financing of any such activity.
The Committee supports continued funding of great apes and
Indonesian orangutan conservation at not less than prior year
levels.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Programs Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biodiversity:
of which, Andean Amazon.......................... $24,500
of which, Brazilian Amazon....................... 11,000
of which, Central Africa Regional Program for the 43,000
Environment (CARPE).............................
USAID........................................ [23,400]
United States Fish and Wildlife Service [19,600]
(USFWS).....................................
of which, Guatemala and Belize................... 5,000
USAID........................................ [3,500]
Department of Interior....................... [1,500]
of which, Lacey Act.............................. 3,500
of which, USFWS.................................. 10,900
Great Apes................................... [5,000]
Migratory Birds Conservation................. [750]
Sea Turtles.................................. [150]
of which, United States Forest Service........... 8,000
Toxic Chemicals...................................... 8,000
Waste Recycling...................................... 8,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Countries
Angola.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator to
consult with the Committees on Appropriations on efforts to
support conservation needs in Angola.
Cameroon.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State and
USAID Administrator to support inclusive dialogue in Anglophone
and Francophone regions of Cameroon.
Haiti.--The Committee notes that, despite significant
investments in the country's development, Haiti remains among
the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The Committee
encourages USAID to consider strategies that work with local
governments to assess areas of potential economic growth and
integration with governance programs. Consistent with the USAID
private sector engagement policy, opportunities for public-
private partnerships and development finance should be
evaluated.
The Committee notes the sustainability review included in
House Report 115-829 and directs the USAID Administrator to
consult with the Committees on Appropriations on continued
opportunities to review programs, partners, metrics and local
conditions in Haiti that will impact the success of current
investments.
Kenya conservation programs.--The Committee supports
conservation programs for the USAID Kenya program and the East
Africa regional environment program, with particular emphasis
on the unique needs of northern Kenya and the Maasi Mara, to
help: (1) scale-up wildlife conservation in the critical target
ecosystems which fall outside national protected area in Kenya;
(2) advance economic opportunity, strengthen governance and
conflict-resolution and combat wildlife trafficking through
community conservancies across Kenya; (3) strengthen the
national policy and regulatory framework to cement conservation
as a recognized and protected land use; and (4) create a
community conservation field-based training center to
systematically engage government and community partners from
across Africa to advance the community conservation model.
Lebanon scholarships.--The Committee recommendation
includes funds for scholarships for Lebanese students with high
financial need to attend not-for-profit educational
institutions in Lebanon that meet standards comparable to those
required for American accreditation. Students in Lebanon should
be eligible for scholarships if they demonstrate financial
need, have strong academic records, and show potential to
contribute to the long-term political, economic, and social
development of Lebanon. The Committee directs that these funds
be awarded through an open and competitive process.
Scholarship program for refugees.--The Committee
recommendation includes funds to continue the university
scholarship pilot program for refugees in Lebanon. Such funds
are in addition to funds made available for assistance for
Lebanon under this heading. The USAID Administrator is directed
to consult with the Committees on Appropriations on an ongoing
basis on how the program will be administered consistent with
the Lebanon scholarship program at not-for-profit educational
institutions in Lebanon that meet the standards required for
American accreditation, and other matters related to
implementation.
Somalia.--The Committee supports increased funding for
Somalia to support the formation of legitimate, durable
institutions and economic development that will enhance peace
and stability in the country. Particular attention should be
given to programs that prioritize youth. The Committee includes
further language under ``Reports'' in this heading.
Global Programs
Gender.--The Committee is encouraged by the prioritization
of women's economic empowerment and directs the USAID
Administrator to include in these efforts improved access to
education and health services, elimination of regulatory
barriers, and support for entrepreneurship opportunities. The
Committee encourages all programs funded by this Act to improve
the disaggregation of monitoring and evaluation data to better
assess the impact of programming on women and girls. The
Committee includes further information under ``Reports'' in
this heading.
New partners.--The Committee supports USAID's efforts to
find additional opportunities to work with new partners and
directs the USAID Administrator to provide regular updates to
the Committees on Appropriations on progress in this area.
Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program.--The Committee
recommendation includes $1,500,000 for USAID's Ocean Freight
Reimbursement Program to continue support for Private Voluntary
Organizations through a competitive grant program pursuant to
section 123(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The USAID
Administrator is directed to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations on the administration of the program for fiscal
year 2020.
Development innovation.--The Committee supports funding at
not less than the prior year for Development Innovation
Ventures and encourages USAID to support evidence-based
mechanisms that leverage United States investments to advance
development innovation.
Indigenous peoples.--The Committee recommendation includes
funding for grants and other activities administered by the
USAID Advisor for Indigenous Peoples Issues. The Committee
encourages the Advisor for Indigenous People to investigate the
impact of violence on indigenous women and children and
challenges to indigenous lands, particularly in Latin America.
Reconciliation programs.--The Committee recommendation
provides $30,000,000 under this heading to support people-to-
people reconciliation programs that bring together individuals
of different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds from
areas of civil strife and war, which shall include
reconciliation activities between Israelis and Palestinians at
not less than the prior year level. Funds shall be awarded
through a competitive grant process.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).--The Committee
recommendation includes not less than $435,000,000 in this Act
for long-term, sustainable water supply, sanitation, and
hygiene projects pursuant to Public Law 109-121, as amended by
Public Law 113-289. The Committee directs that not less than
$195,000,000 of such funds shall be made available for programs
and activities in sub-Saharan Africa, which should be
prioritized for the poorest communities and countries in
accordance with Public Law 113-289. The Committee expects these
programs to include robust monitoring and evaluation and
directs USAID to consult with the Committees on Appropriations
on these efforts.
The Committee notes that access to adequate water,
sanitation, and hygiene is a critical component of disease
prevention. The Committee supports greater integration of WASH
services with nutrition and health programs, which reinforces
priority actions identified in the USAID Water and Development
Strategy and Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy. The Committee
notes that a lack of access to toilets, adequate sanitation,
and hygiene products impacts women and girls in particular and
recommends USAID address this issue in the design of WASH
programs. The Committee includes further language under
``Reports'' in this heading.
The Committee notes the rapid urbanization of countries in
the developing world and recommends USAID give special
consideration to urban WASH projects. The Committee encourages
USAID to explore using American expertise in drilling methods
that reach deeper aquifers and avoid contamination to expand
inexpensive, sustainable access to water.
The Committee encourages the USAID Administrator to utilize
American standards in the design and implementation of relevant
development programs, such as water and sanitation projects.
USAID is directed to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations on the use of such standards in the design and
implementation of development programs.
Reports
Adolescent girls.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the USAID Administrator, is directed to submit to the
appropriate congressional committees, not later than 45 days
after enactment of this Act, a report on the actions taken over
the previous 12 months to implement the U.S. Global Strategy to
Empower Adolescent Girls including programs to reduce the
incidence of child and forced marriage and address the needs of
already married adolescent girls, encourage the abandonment of
female genital cutting and address the needs of those who have
already undergone these procedures, and the training of staff
on the specific challenges and needs of adolescent girls. The
report should also be posted on a publicly available website.
Basic education.--The Committee directs that, pursuant to
the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development Act
(Public Law 115-56), the annual report to Congress on the U.S.
Government Strategy on International Basic Education should
include programmatic funding by education level (pre-primary,
primary, secondary, post-secondary/non-higher education, and
higher education) as well as a list of indicators that will be
used to monitor performance for each of these education levels
and the criteria used to prioritize country programs. Data
should be disaggregated by age, sex, marital status, and
disability when practicable and appropriate.
Gender.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator, not
later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, to submit to
the Committees on Appropriations a detailed implementation plan
of the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative
including focus countries and planned metrics.
Somalia.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State, not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, to submit an
update to the report required under this heading in House
Report 114-93 to the Committees on Appropriations and consult
with the Committees on the content of the report prior to its
submission.
WASH.--The Committee directs the USAID Administrator, not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, to update the
report on how women's access to adequate sanitation facilities
and feminine hygiene products are included in the design and
implementation of the Agency's WASH programs. The report should
also include recommendations for how USAID could improve its
management of investments in this area, including through
targeted program definitions.
INTERNATIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $4,385,312,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request\2\........................... 0
Committee recommendation\3\........................... 4,435,312,000
Change from enacted level......................... +50,000,000
Change from request............................... +4,435,312,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $584,278,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The Fiscal Year 2020 request includes $5,968,000,000 under a new
heading, ``International Humanitarian Assistance.''
\3\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $1,733,980,000 under
this heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War
on Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $4,435,312,000 for
International Disaster Assistance, of which $1,733,980,000 is
designated for OCO/GWOT.
This account funds humanitarian relief, rehabilitation, and
reconstruction in countries affected by natural and man-made
disasters, as well as support for disaster mitigation, disaster
risk reduction, prevention, and preparedness. This includes the
purchase of commodities, such as temporary shelter, blankets,
and supplementary and therapeutic food; potable water; medical
supplies; and agricultural rehabilitation. Program
beneficiaries include disaster victims, conflict victims, and
internally displaced persons. Funds are also provided for the
Emergency Food Security Program, as authorized in the Global
Food Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-195).
Child protection.--The Committee recognizes the need for
additional protection of children in conflict and crisis
settings. The Committee encourages the Office of Foreign
Disaster Assistance, or successor bureau, to play an increasing
leadership role to protect children in humanitarian crises and
ensure that protection is integrated across other humanitarian
sectors.
Cyclone Adai.--The Committee is concerned about the dire
humanitarian situation in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe as a
result of Cyclone Adai. The Committee urges USAID to assess
both the humanitarian and development needs in the affected
region and program funds made available by this Act to assist
in addressing such needs.
Ethnic and religious minorities.--The Committee
recommendation includes funds under this heading for support of
humanitarian assistance for displaced, vulnerable, and
persecuted ethnic and religious minorities to: (1) facilitate
the implementation of an immediate, coordinated, and sustained
response; (2) enhance protection of conflict victims; (3)
improve access to secure locations for obtaining humanitarian
and resettlement services; and (4) build resilience and help
reestablish livelihoods for displaced and persecuted persons in
their communities of origin.
INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 5,968,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 0
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... -5,968,000,000
The Committee recommendation does not include the funding
proposed in the fiscal year 2020 request for International
Humanitarian Assistance. The Committee does not support the
consolidation of all overseas humanitarian assistance into a
single account. As in prior years, funds for such assistance
are provided under the headings International Disaster
Assistance and Migration and Refugee Assistance.
TRANSITION INITIATIVES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $92,043,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 112,043,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 92,043,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... -20,000,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $62,043,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
The Committee recommendation includes $92,043,000 for
Transition Initiatives.
Funds provided in this account support programs targeting
key transitions to democracy for countries in crisis and quick-
impact activities for conflict prevention or stabilization.
The Committee recommendation continues the following
requirements: (1) funds made available under this heading may
only be administered by the Office of Transition Initiatives
(OTI); and (2) up to $15,000,000 of funds appropriated by this
Act to carry out the provisions of part I of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 may be used for the purposes and with
the authorities provided under this heading if the Secretary of
State determines it is in the national interest and following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations.
The Committee directs OTI to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations five days prior to starting a new
program.
The Committee directs OTI to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations summarizing new, ongoing, and
completed country programs implemented by OTI in fiscal year
2020, including programs supported with transferred funds,
subject to the reporting requirements of the Committees on
Appropriations.
COMPLEX CRISES FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $30,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +30,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for the
Complex Crises Fund, which shall be apportioned to USAID not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act.
DEVELOPMENT CREDIT AUTHORITY
Program Account:
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level.................... $55,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.......................... 0
Committee recommendation.......................... 0
Change from enacted level..................... -55,000,000
Change from request........................... 0
Administrative Expenses:
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level.................... $10,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.......................... 0
Committee recommendation.......................... 0
Change from enacted level..................... -10,000,000
Change from request........................... 0
Pursuant to section 1463 of the BUILD Act of 2018 (division
F of Public Law 115-254), the funds, personnel, assets, and
liabilities of the Development Credit Authority will be
transferred to the United States International Development
Finance Corporation (DFC) at the end of the transition period
for the DFC on September 30, 2019.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 5,234,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 0
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... -5,234,000,000
The Committee does not recommend funds under this heading,
as proposed in the fiscal year 2020 budget request.
DEMOCRACY FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $227,200,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 273,700,000
Change from enacted level......................... +46,500,000
Change from request............................... +273,700,000
The Committee recommendation includes $273,700,000 for
Democracy Fund, which is $46,500,000 above the fiscal year 2019
enacted level. Of the funds provided, $172,700,000 shall be for
the Human Rights and Democracy Fund of the Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) at the Department of State, and
$101,000,000 shall be for the Center of Excellence on
Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) at USAID.
Funds included under this heading were requested under
Economic Support and Development Fund. The Committee
recommendation realigns most global democracy activities from
Economic Support Fund and places them under this heading.
Funds under this heading are allocated according to the
following table and subject to section 7019 of this Act:
DEMOCRACY FUND
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor,
Department of State:
of which, Labor Rights and Labor Recruitment $8,000
Reform..........................................
of which, Global Equality Fund................... 7,500
of which, International Religious Freedom........ 10,000
of which, Internet Freedom....................... 14,000
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian
Assistance, USAID:
of which, Global Labor Program................... 12,500
of which, Internet Freedom and Information Safety 6,000
of which, Civil Society Innovation............... 4,000
of which, Protection of LGBTI Persons............ 5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reports
Additional resources.--The Committee directs DRL at the
Department of State and DRG at USAID to jointly report to the
Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45 days after
enactment of this Act, on the planned use of additional
resources.
Annual human rights reports.--The Committee directs the
Department of State to include in its annual country human
rights reports violations of women's reproductive rights and
descriptions of official government discrimination of LGBTI
persons.
Human rights.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State, in consultation with the USAID Administrator, to submit
a report, not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act,
on the activities of the Special Envoy for the Human Rights of
LGBTI Persons at the Department of State and the Senior LGBTI
Coordinator at USAID in promoting U.S. engagement with
governments, citizens, civil society, and the private sector on
these issues.
ASSISTANCE FOR EUROPE, EURASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $760,334,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 770,334,000
Change from enacted level......................... +10,000,000
Change from request............................... +770,334,000
The Committee recommendation includes $770,334,000 for
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
ASSISTANCE FOR EUROPE, EURASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/Program Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Countering Russian Influence Fund.................... $75,000
Georgia.............................................. 83,025
Moldova.............................................. 51,853
Ukraine.............................................. 250,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Countering anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racism in
Europe.--The Committee recommendation includes an additional
$1,000,000 above the prior year enacted level for the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to support
the Countering Racism and Xenophobia Initiative.
Civil society in Central and Eastern Europe.--The Committee
is concerned with the erosion of rule of law and increased
corruption in Central and Eastern Europe, which provides
opportunities for Russian and Chinese influence in the region,
and undermines United States national security interests. The
Committee encourages the Secretary of State and the USAID
Administrator to work with civil society organizations to
support the rule of law and to counter democratic backsliding
in the region.
Cyprus.--The Committee notes that no funds were requested
for Cyprus, but should the Secretary of State decide to provide
funds, such assistance should only be used for measures aimed
at reunification and designed to reduce tensions and promote
peace and cooperation between the two communities on Cyprus.
The Committee notes that such programs are subject to the
requirements of section 7015 of this Act. Funding for the
United States assessed cost of the UN Peacekeeping Force in
Cyprus are provided under Contributions for International
Peacekeeping Activities.
Energy security for United States allies and partners.--The
Committee recognizes the importance of European energy security
to United States national security and is troubled by the
probable impacts of the Nord Stream II pipeline. The Committee
supports Department of State and USAID current efforts and
recommends the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator
take further diplomatic and programmatic steps to foster
European energy independence and diversification, including
through programs to increase the use of alternative sources of
energy, such as green technologies and liquefied natural gas,
and through supporting energy sector reforms.
Georgia rule of law.--The Committee recommendation includes
$83,025,000 under this heading for Georgia, and recommends the
Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator prioritize
programs aimed at strengthening rule of law and democratic
institutions to promote transparency and good governance while
countering Russian malign influence.
The Committee notes that over the years economic reforms
made by the Government of Georgia have resulted in strong
economic growth and foreign investment from the United States
benefiting both countries. The Committee continues to believe
it is critical that public and private Georgian entities
continue to adhere to their contractual obligations with United
States businesses and expects the Secretary of State to assist
American businesses in Georgia who face challenges. The
Committee looks forward to reviewing the Secretary of State's
report required pursuant to House report 115-829, and directs
that such report be delivered in an expeditious manner.
Reconciliation programs.--The Committee expects funds to be
made available to further the economic, social development, and
reconciliation goals of Public Law 99-415 at levels consistent
with amounts provided in prior years.
Research and training.--The Committee recommendation
includes $3,000,000 for programs pursuant to section 7034(d) of
this Act for research and training authorized by the Soviet-
Eastern European Research and Training Act of 1983.
Ukraine.--The Committee recommendation includes
$250,000,0000 under this heading for Ukraine, consistent with
the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. The Committee is encouraged
by the Department of State and USAID's efforts to strengthen
cooperation with Ukraine on veterans' issues including
improving psycho-social, health, and reintegration programs.
The Committee urges the Department of State and USAID to
continue this work, as well as bolster the capacity of the new
Ministry of Veteran's Affairs to strengthen institutional
effectiveness free from corruption.
The Committee remains encouraged by the Department of State
and USAID's support of smallholder Ukrainian farmers and rural
women through agricultural processers. The Committee directs
the Department of State and USAID to develop mechanisms to work
directly with women smallholders to support the development of
cooperatives to empower increased productivity and
marketability of smallholder's products.
Reports
Cybersecurity cooperation.--The Committee remains concerned
with cyber-attacks by Russia in Europe and Eurasia, including
reported efforts to disrupt critical infrastructure in Ukraine
and elsewhere, and directs the Secretary of State to report to
the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45 days after
the enactment of this Act, on ongoing and planned programs to
improve cybersecurity cooperation with partners in Europe and
Eurasia, including with Ukraine, the Baltics, and other
countries, as appropriate. Such report shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a classified
annex.
Support for eastern Mediterranean partners.--The Committee
appreciates the Secretary of State's presence at the sixth
trilateral summit between Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, and
supports the joint declaration made to increase regional
cooperation, support energy independence, and to defend against
external malign influences in the region. The Committee directs
the Secretary of State to report to the Committees on
Appropriations not later than 45 days after the enactment of
this Act on available Department of State programs and
mechanisms to support further cooperation between the United
States and partners in the eastern Mediterranean, and
encourages the Secretary of State to provide resources to
support annual joint dialogues with officials, including career
government personnel, of the Departments of State, Defense and
Energy and their counterparts in the Governments of Greece,
Cyprus, and Israel.
Department of State
MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $3,432,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 365,062,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 3,532,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +100,000,000
Change from request............................... +3,166,938,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $1,404,124,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $1,400,124,000 under
this heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War
on Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $3,532,000,000 for
Migration and Refugee Assistance, of which $1,400,124,000 is
designated for OCO/GWOT.
Of the funds made available under this heading in this
title, the Committee recommendation includes not less than
$35,000,000 to respond to small-scale emergency humanitarian
requirements.
Burmese refugees.--The Committee urges the Secretary of
State to provide robust diplomatic engagement and assistance
for refugees and other displaced people from Burma, including
those who have fled ethnic cleansing and other attacks.
Child protection.--The Committee recognizes the need for
additional protection of children in conflict and crisis
settings. The Committee encourages the Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migration to play an increasing leadership role
in protecting children in humanitarian crises and ensuring that
such protection is integrated across other humanitarian
sectors.
Ethnic and religious minorities.--The Committee
recommendation includes funds under this heading for support of
humanitarian assistance for vulnerable and persecuted refugees
from ethnic and religious minorities to: (1) facilitate the
implementation of an immediate, coordinated, and sustained
response; (2) enhance protection of conflict victims; (3)
improve access to secure locations for obtaining humanitarian
and resettlement services; and (4) build resilience and help
reestablish livelihoods for displaced and persecuted persons in
their communities of origin.
Humanitarian law and armed conflict.--The Committee remains
concerned over an increasing trend in violations of
international humanitarian law in armed conflict and the lack
of accountability for such violations. These violations include
attacks on children, other civilians, and humanitarian workers;
attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals,
and food and water systems; and continued denial of
humanitarian access to populations in need in Yemen, Syria,
Iraq, South Sudan, and Venezuela. The Committee urges the
Secretary of State to engage in diplomacy to address these
issues and to support programming designed to document,
investigate, and ensure accountability for such violations.
North Korean refugees.--The Committee recommendation
includes sufficient funds for assisting North Korean refugees,
including for protection activities in the People's Republic of
China and other countries in Asia.
Refugees in the Middle East.--The Committee encourages the
Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator, as appropriate,
to ensure that the diplomatic and assistance needs of countries
in the region offering safe haven to Syrian refugees are being
addressed, including through assistance to host communities.
Resettlement in Israel.--The Committee recommendation
includes not less than $5,000,000 for refugees from the former
Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and other refugees resettling in
Israel, which is the same as the request and similar to
language carried in prior years.
Sanitation facilities.--The Committee encourages the Bureau
of Population, Refugees, and Migration to place a special
emphasis on the provision of safe and secure access to
sanitation facilities for refugees, with a focus on women and
girls and vulnerable populations.
Tibetan refugees.--The Committee supports the continued
allocation of funds to assist Tibetan refugees in Nepal and
India at levels commensurate with prior years.
Unaccompanied refugee minors.--The Committee urges the
Secretary of State to provide robust support for the
resettlement of unaccompanied refugee minors, including those
who have fled ethnic cleansing and other attacks.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).-- Pursuant
to section 7048(d), funds appropriated under this heading shall
be made available to UNRWA unless the Secretary of State
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that
UNRWA is violating certain policies related to neutrality,
impartiality, prohibiting weapons in their facilities, regular
inspections, educational materials, financial transparency, and
auditing practices.
Western Hemisphere.--Amounts appropriated under this
heading that are above the fiscal year 2019 level are intended,
in part, to expand support for refugees fleeing economic
collapse and repression in Venezuela and to increase support
for ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of the Mexican
Commission of Assistance to Refugees to process asylum
applications of refugees in Mexico.
Report
Refugees in North Africa.--The Committee directs, not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, after consultation with the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees and the Executive Director of the
World Food Programme, to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations describing steps taken to strengthen monitoring
of the delivery of humanitarian assistance provided for
refugees in North Africa, including any steps taken to ensure
that all vulnerable refugees are receiving such assistance.
UNITED STATES EMERGENCY REFUGEE AND MIGRATION ASSISTANCE FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +1,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 for United
States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund. The
Committee also directs the transfer to Migration and Refugee
Assistance of any balances in the Fund that exceed the
limitation in paragraph (2) of section 2(c) of the Migration
and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962.
Independent Agencies
PEACE CORPS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $410,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 396,200,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 425,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +14,500,000
Change from request............................... +28,800,000
The Committee recommendation includes $425,000,000 for
Peace Corps, of which $6,330,000 is for the Office of the
Inspector General.
The Committee recommendation for Peace Corps will provide
support for the positive contributions of Americans serving as
volunteers throughout the world, including volunteer safety and
security operations. The Committee recommendation continues the
ban on the use of funds for abortion, with certain exceptions,
and requires an operating plan pursuant to section 7061 of this
Act.
The Committee recommendation continues the requirement that
the Peace Corps consult with and notify the Committees on
Appropriations prior to any decisions to open, close,
significantly reduce, or suspend a domestic or overseas office
or country program. The Committee directs the Director of the
Peace Corps to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations listing all decisions made during the fiscal
year to change the status of offices or country programs and
the justifications for such decisions, subject to the reporting
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $905,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 800,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 905,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +105,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $905,000,000 for
Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Committee recommendation
includes a limitation of $109,000,000 for administrative
expenses and not more than $100,000 may be for representational
expenses.
Funding included for administrative expenses is made
available until September 30, 2021.
Deobligation notification.--Consistent with section 7015(c)
of the Act, the reobligation of funds deobligated by the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is subject to the
regular notification procedures of the Committees on
Appropriations. In any notification of reobligation, the MCC
shall indicate the Compact or activity that is the source of
the deobligation and the year in which the deobligation
occurred.
MCC mandate.--The Committee continues to direct the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of the MCC to include the corresponding
economic rate of return estimated for each line item funded in
the compact in congressional notifications submitted for new
compacts.
Reporting requirements.--The Committee directs the MCC to
continue to adhere to the directives contained in House Report
114-154 with respect to reporting requirements.
Threshold Program.--The CEO of the MCC shall consult with
the Committees on Appropriations if a planned threshold program
will cause the total amount obligated for purposes of carrying
out section 616 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 (Public
Law 108-199), as amended, to exceed 5 percent in fiscal year
2020.
INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $22,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 3,482,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 32,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... +10,000,000
Change from request............................... +29,018,000
The Committee recommendation includes $32,500,000 for
Inter-American Foundation. The Committee recommendation does
not assume the consolidation of the Inter-American Foundation
(IAF) into USAID, as proposed by the fiscal year 2020 request.
The increase in IAF's annual appropriation should be used
to support the Central America Strategy, the Caribbean Basin
Security Initiative, and programs in Colombia.
The Committee applauds the work of the IAF in supporting
community-led solutions for building resiliency to disasters,
extreme weather changes, and small farming operations in the
Eastern Caribbean, while advancing U.S. priorities in the
region.
The Committee encourages the IAF to support exchanges
between Native American tribes in the United States and
indigenous groups across Latin America to share best practices
in successful business enterprises and to explore the
development of mutually beneficial trade and investment
relationships.
The Committee notes that section 7061(a) of this Act
requires an operating plan for funds made available under this
heading.
UNITED STATES AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $30,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 4,623,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +25,377,000
The Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for
United States African Development Foundation. The Committee
recommendation does not assume the consolidation of the United
States African Development Foundation (USADF) into USAID, as
proposed by the fiscal year 2020 request.
The Committee encourages the USADF to explore cooperation
with African diaspora entities in the United States.
The Committee directs the USADF to consult with the
Committees on Appropriations prior to exercising the authority
in section 7024 of this Act for new grants. The Committee notes
that section 7061(a) of this Act requires an operating plan for
funds made available under this heading.
Department of the Treasury
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $30,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 30,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for
International Affairs Technical Assistance by the Department of
the Treasury. The operating and spend plans required under
section 7061 of this Act shall include estimated program and
administrative costs by fiscal year of appropriation.
TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Department of State
ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $3,717,861,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request\2\........................... 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,178,763,000
Change from enacted level......................... -1,539,098,000
Change from request............................... +2,178,763,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $1,172,336,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 request proposes to consolidate funds under this
heading and Development Assistance.
The Committee recommendation includes $2,178,763,000 for
Economic Support Fund.
The Committee notes that funds recommended under this
heading are provided to advance United States interests by
helping countries meet political and security needs. The
Committee recommendation includes short-term, diplomatic
activities under this heading even if countries are also
receiving support under the heading Development Assistance.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/Program Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
East Asia and the Pacific:
Burma............................................ $30,000
Vietnam dioxin removal........................... 20,000
Middle East and North Africa:
Lebanon.......................................... 56,200
Middle East Partnership Initiative scholarship 20,000
program.........................................
Middle East Regional Cooperation................. 5,000
Morocco.......................................... 10,000
Near East Regional Democracy..................... 52,000
South and Central Asia:
Sri Lanka........................................ 10,000
Western Hemisphere:
Colombia......................................... 146,328
Cuba democracy................................... 20,000
Mexico........................................... 35,000
Venezuela........................................ 17,500
State Western Hemisphere Regional................ 125,300
of which, Central America Regional Security 100,000
Initiative..................................
of which, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative 25,300
Caribbean Energy Security Initiative............. 2,000
Global Programs:
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.... 10,000
Atrocities Prevention (sec. 7034(b))............. 2,500
Conflict and Stabilization Operations............ 2,500
Diplomatic Progress Fund......................... 175,000
Forensic anthropology assistance related to war 10,000
crimes..........................................
House Democracy Partnership...................... 1,900
Protection and Investigation of Crimes against 10,000
Religious Minorities............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee provides additional direction on programs in
Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South and Central
Asia under title VII of this report.
East Asia and the Pacific
The Committee provides additional direction on programs in
this region under section 7043 of this report.
Vietnam.--The Committee recommendation makes available
resources for activities related to the remediation of dioxin
contaminated sites in Vietnam to be administered in a manner
consistent with prior years.
Middle East and North Africa
The Committee provides additional direction on programs in
the region under section 7041 of this report.
Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).--The Committee
supports continued funding for the MEPI scholarship program.
Scholarships should be made available for institutions that
meet standards comparable to those required for American
accreditation and should be awarded in a manner consistent with
prior fiscal years, including on an open and competitive basis.
USAID-Israel international development cooperation.--The
Committee is supportive of cooperative projects and notes
relevant legislation is under consideration by the authorizing
committee of jurisdiction. If authorized, the Committee
encourages USAID to partner with Israel on projects that
identify and support local solutions to address sustainability
challenges relating to water resources, agriculture, and energy
storage.
Global Programs
Diplomatic Progress Fund (DPF).--The Committee
recommendation includes $175,000,000 for a Diplomatic Progress
Fund to respond to new opportunities arising from potential
diplomatic and peace progress. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations, on a case-by-case basis, prior to programming
DPF resources.
Foreign assistance resources.--The Committee recommendation
includes funds for the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance
Resources to support aid transparency and evaluation.
Forensic anthropology.--The Committee directs the Assistant
Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the
Department of State to administer funds made available under
this heading for forensic anthropology assistance related to
the exhumation and identification of victims of war crimes and
crimes against humanity.
Independent media.--The Committee continues to support
assistance for independent media, including in Afghanistan,
Burma, Ukraine, Venezuela, Pakistan, Central America, and
Africa.
Information communication technology training.--The
Committee supports programs that provide policy and technical
training to information communication technology professionals
from developing countries and directs that funds be made
available in a manner, and at levels, consistent with prior
years.
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,497,469,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 945,350,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,410,665,000
Change from enacted level......................... -86,804,000
Change from request............................... +465,315,000
The Committee recommendation includes $1,410,665,000 for
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrocities prevention (sec. 7034(b))................. $2,500
Argentina............................................ 2,500
Colombia............................................. 189,000
Combatting Trafficking in Persons.................... 45,000
of which, Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons 36,000
[Child Protection Compacts].................. [5,000]
Combating wildlife trafficking....................... 50,000
Countering Russian Influence Fund.................... 62,500
Critical Flight Safety Program....................... 18,000
of which, health monitoring systems.............. 12,500
Cybercrime and intellectual property rights.......... 10,000
Demand reduction..................................... 15,000
Egypt................................................ 2,000
Georgia.............................................. 5,700
Global Crime and Drugs Policy........................ 7,000
International Law Enforcement Academy................ 30,000
International Organized Crime........................ 68,150
Mexico............................................... 91,840
Programs to end modern slavery....................... 25,000
Relief and Recovery Fund............................. 25,000
Tunisia.............................................. 13,000
Ukraine.............................................. 30,000
State Western Hemisphere Regional.................... 205,500
of which, Caribbean Basin Security Initiative.... 25,200
of which, Central America Regional Security 167,800
Initiative......................................
[Costa Rica]................................. [32,500]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combating wildlife trafficking.--The Committee includes
$50,000,000 under this heading for programs to combat wildlife
poaching and trafficking. The Committee continues to support
the use of aircraft for anti-poaching activities and directs
the Secretary of State to consult with the Committees on
Appropriations on current and proposed demonstration projects
not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act. The
Committee supports the use of the authority provided in section
484(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act for transfer of title
of aircraft to support anti-poaching activities.
The Committee directs that funds under title IV of this Act
shall not 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 Committee that such assistance is in the national
security interest of the United States.
Critical Flight Safety Program.--The Committee
recommendation provides $18,000,000 for the Critical Flight
Safety Program, including $12,500,000 for health monitoring
systems to increase aircraft safety, readiness, and
reliability. The Committee directs that such funds shall be
awarded on a competitive basis.
Cybercrime and intellectual property rights.--The Committee
recommendation supports the efforts of United States Government
agencies to build the capacity of partner nations to combat
cybercrime and strengthen law enforcement in the area of
intellectual property rights, including through the placement
of Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators. The
Committee notes the spend plan requirements contained in
section 7061(b) apply to such funds.
Demand reduction.-- The Committee directs that $15,000,000
be made available for the centrally-managed, evidence-based
global demand reduction program to ensure that these funds will
continue to achieve reductions in drug use and crime in
countries around the world.
DNA forensic technology.--The Committee recommendation
provides not less than $8,000,000 under this heading for DNA
forensic technology programs to combat human trafficking in
Central America and Mexico. Such funds are to be derived from
funds provided under this heading for CARSI and for assistance
for Mexico. The Committee notes that DNA forensic science and
DNA databases have a unique capability to confirm identities
and have proven to be an effective tool in deterring and
preventing human trafficking. The Committee expects the
Department of State to work in partnership to further develop
the capacity of the governments of Central America and Mexico
to utilize DNA forensic science and databases to combat
trafficking in persons.
International Law Enforcement Academies (ILEA).--The
Committee recommendation provides $30,000,000 for ILEA to
support regional law enforcement training. The Committee also
expects ILEA to continue coursework to address wildlife
poaching and trafficking.
Global Crime and Drugs Policy.--The Committee
recommendation provides $7,000,000 for activities to mobilize
global institutions to combat factors that contribute to the
opioid crisis and other drug and transnational criminal
organization threats.
International Organized Crime.--The Committee
recommendation provides $68,150,000 for International Organized
Crime, which includes amounts requested for programs to further
the objectives of Executive Order 13773 on Enforcing Federal
Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and
Preventing International Trafficking. The Committee notes the
spend plan requirements contained in section 7061(b) apply to
such funds.
Opioids.--The Committee continues to support Department of
State efforts and activities to address the flow of illegal
opioids into the United States, including: (1) programs to
assist the Government of Mexico in securing its borders and
reducing poppy cultivation and heroin and synthetic drug
production; (2) programs to thwart transnational criminal
organizations involved in the trafficking of heroin and
fentanyl; (3) diplomatic efforts to strengthen precursor
chemical control and training on international treaty
obligations related to opioids; (4) measures to strengthen the
security of the international postal system to prevent illegal
shipments of opioids from entering the United States,
particularly from the People's Republic of China (PRC); and (5)
global demand reduction programs.
Passive screening.--The Committee is aware of ongoing
efforts with foreign governments to deploy passive, non-
intrusive screening technologies to detect small quantities of
person-borne opioids, fentanyl, and other narcotics as well as
United States currency, related to drug trafficking. The
Committee supports this ongoing effort and encourages the
Department of State to consider expanding these efforts with
international partners to other United States bound airports
and pedestrian ports of entry.
Security force professionalization.--The Committee
recommendation includes funds under this heading and under the
heading Peacekeeping Operations to increase the capacity of
foreign security forces to operate in accordance with
appropriate standards for human rights and the protection of
civilians, and to increase partner capacity to collect, track,
and analyze civilian casualty data caused by such operations.
Funds may also be used to apply lessons learned to future
operations and to enhance investigative capacity and
transparent accountability mechanisms.
Report
Fentanyl Producing Countries.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General
and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to provide to the
Committees on Appropriations a list of fentanyl producing
countries that have not adopted laws or regulations similar to
United States standards on the prosecution of individuals
trafficking a controlled substance, emergency scheduling of new
psychoactive substances, and registration of pill presses or
tableting machines.
Uses of funds.--The Committee directs not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, and prior to the initial
obligation of funds appropriated under this heading, the
Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations on the proposed uses of funds in a manner
similar to prior years. The Committee notes that such report
does not meet the notification requirements under section 7015
of this Act.
NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $864,550,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 707,150,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 886,850,000
Change from enacted level......................... +22,300,000
Change from request............................... +179,700,000
The Committee recommendation includes $886,850,000 for
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs. Such funds are allocated according to the following
table and subject to section 7019 of this Act:
NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonproliferation programs:
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund........... $30,000
Export Control and Related Border Security...... 64,900
International Atomic Energy Agency.............. 94,800
Anti-terrorism programs:
Anti-terrorism Assistance....................... 182,000
Counterterrorism financing...................... 12,500
Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund.............. 108,500
Conventional weapons destruction.................... 219,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonproliferation programs.--The Committee includes
$297,050,000 for nonproliferation programs. The Committee
emphasizes that nonproliferation programs of the Department of
State and other Federal agencies are critical to United States
national security. The Committee urges close coordination among
all agencies involved in such activities.
The Committee recommendation includes a voluntary
contribution of $94,800,000 to the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) to support programs that promote nuclear
safeguards, nuclear safety and security, the responsible use of
nuclear energy, and the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.
Anti-terrorism programs.--The Committee recommendation
includes $345,800,000 for anti-terrorism programs, including
$182,000,000 for the Anti-terrorism Assistance Program, which
provides counterterrorism law enforcement training to partner
countries.
The Committee recommendation provides $20,000,000 to
strengthen international airport and aviation security,
including passenger and baggage screening, and crisis response.
Such funds are derived from funds under the Anti-terrorism
Assistance Program and Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund.
Conventional Weapons Destruction.--The Committee
recommendation includes $219,000,000 for Conventional Weapons
Destruction programs, of which $30,000,000 is for programs in
Laos. The recommendation also includes additional funds above
the prior year level for increased demining activities in
Angola, Cambodia, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and other
countries with unmet humanitarian demining requirements. The
Committee directs the Secretary of State to consult with the
Committees on Appropriations with respect to the allocation of
funds above the fiscal year 2019 level prior to submitting the
653(a) report.
In addition, the Committee continues to support the
Department of State's demining activities in Colombia.
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $488,670,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 291,435,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 516,348,000
Change from enacted level......................... +27,678,000
Change from request............................... +224,913,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $325,213,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $325,213,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terrorism.
The Committee recommendation includes $516,348,000 for
Peacekeeping Operations, of which $325,213,000 is designated
for OCO/GWOT. Such funds are allocated according to the
following table and subject to section 7019 of this Act:
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
County/Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa:
Central African Republic......................... $8,000
Democratic Republic of the Congo................. 5,000
Liberia.......................................... 1,000
Somalia.......................................... 250,228
South Sudan...................................... 25,000
Africa Regional.................................. 39,520
Near East:
Multinational Force and Observers................ 31,000
Political-Military Affairs:
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership........ 40,000
Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative........ 71,000
Relief and Recovery Fund......................... 40,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Africa Regional.--The Committee recommendation includes
$39,520,000 for Africa Regional, including $10,000,000 for the
Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism,
$8,170,000 for Africa Conflict Stabilization and Border
Security, $2,000,000 for Africa Military Education Program,
$1,850,000 for the Africa Maritime Security Initiative, and
$15,100,000 for Africa Regional Counterterrorism.
Child soldiers.--The Committee includes language in section
7035(c) of this Act requiring that funds should not be used to
support military training or operations that include child
soldiers.
Combat casualty care.--Consistent with the objectives of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control
Act, the Committee recommendation includes funds under this
heading and under the heading Foreign Military Financing
Program for combat casualty training and equipment. In
addition, the Secretary of State may offer combat casualty care
training and equipment as a component of any package of lethal
assistance funded by this Act with funds appropriated under
such headings. The Committee directs that any such training and
equipment for combat casualty care shall be made available
through an open and transparent process.
Global Peace Operations Initiative.--The Committee
recommendation includes $71,000,000 for the Global Peace
Operations Initiative (GPOI), including $10,000,000 to support
current modernization efforts for GPOI training infrastructure.
The Committee urges that the full resources appropriated to the
Peace Operations Capacity Building Division, without
reprogramming from other GPOI activities, include the
modernization and upgrading of training infrastructure as a
priority. Consistent with Section 604 of the Foreign Assistance
Act, the Committee urges the Department to maximize program
procurement of American materials to more efficiently use
American foreign assistance resources.
Near East.--The Committee recommendation includes
$31,000,000 for the Multinational Force and Observers Mission
(MFO) in the Sinai, which is the same as the request. The
Committee directs that funds made available above the level of
the United States contribution are intended to address ongoing
force protection requirements and emerging needs to protect and
sustain the MFO mission in the Sinai.
Somalia.--Consistent with prior years, the Committee
recommendation includes funds under this heading for the UN
Support Office for the African Union Mission in Somalia
(UNSOS), instead of under the heading Contributions for
International Peacekeeping Activities. In addition, the
recommendation includes $42,120,000 to pay arrears from fiscal
years 2017 and 2018 for UNSOS.
Unarmed civilian protection.--The Committee urges the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID
Administrator, to consider the future use of unarmed civilian
protection organizations and evaluate the potential use of such
organizations to provide direct physical protection to civilian
populations, to strengthen the local non-violent peacekeeping
capacity of communities currently experiencing or at risk of
violent conflict, and to assist United States-funded
stabilization efforts.
Report
Illicit charcoal exports.--The Committee is concerned with
continued reports that the Kenyan Defense Forces, in their role
as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), are
not acting to enforce the United Nations ban on illicit
charcoal exports from Somalia. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 45 days after the enactment of
this Act, on Kenya's efforts to enforce the ban and to hold
accountable any Kenyan implicated in facilitating such illicit
trade.
Funds Appropriated to the President
INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $110,778,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 100,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 110,875,000
Change from enacted level......................... +97,000
Change from request............................... +10,875,000
The Committee recommendation includes $110,875,000 for
International Military Education and Training.
The Committee recommendation provides $2,000,000 under this
heading for Mexico. In addition, the recommendation provides
$2,000,000 under this heading for India. The Committee notes
that the International Military Education and Training program
should reflect the importance of the Indo-Pacific region,
especially in enhancing military-to-military relationships with
key partners and allies in the region and strengthening the
professionalism and democratic values among security partners
in the Indo-Pacific.
FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level\1\..................... $6,191,613,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 5,370,900,000
Committee recommendation\2\........................... 6,109,121,000
Change from enacted level......................... -82,492,000
Change from request............................... +738,221,000
\1\The fiscal year 2019 enacted level includes $325,213,000 under this
heading in title VIII designated pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii)
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
\2\The fiscal year 2020 recommendation includes $350,678,000 under this
heading designated for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on
Terror.
The Committee recommendation includes $6,109,121,000 for
Foreign Military Financing Program, of which $350,678,000 is
designated for OCO/GWOT.
The Committee recommendation continues prior year language
allowing the Secretary of State to expedite the procurement of
defense articles or services for foreign security forces,
following consultation with, and notification of, the
Committees on Appropriations.
Funds for certain programs under this heading are allocated
according to the following table and subject to section 7019 of
this Act:
FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe and Eurasia:
Countering Russian Influence Fund............... $137,500
Estonia......................................... 8,000
Georgia......................................... 35,000
Latvia.......................................... 8,000
Lithuania....................................... 8,000
Ukraine......................................... 115,000
Near East:
Israel.......................................... 3,300,000
Egypt........................................... 1,300,000
Jordan.......................................... 425,000
Western Hemisphere:
Colombia........................................ 38,525
Costa Rica...................................... 7,500
Mexico.......................................... 5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Defense programs and funding notifications.--
Section 7015(d) includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting funding appropriated by this Act or prior Acts
making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign
operations, and related programs to support or continue certain
programs initially funded by 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.
East Asia and the Pacific.--The Committee remains concerned
about the military modernization of the PRC and the PRC's
claims in territorial disputes, including on the seas and in
cyberspace. The Committee encourages the Secretary of State to
continue to engage with allies in the region on the political,
economic, and military implications of the strategic rise of
the PRC, including through military assistance and sales
programs. Foreign Military Financing Program (FMF) resources
should emphasize building the maritime security capabilities of
United States partners in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The
Secretary should also work with the Secretary of Defense to
prioritize the provision excess defense articles applicable to
maritime security missions to countries in the region, as
appropriate.
Effectiveness of military assistance.--The Committee
encourages the Secretary of State to make funds available under
this heading for the general costs of administering military
assistance and sales for the purpose increasing the efficiency
and effectiveness of programs authorized by Chapter 2 of the
Arms Export Control Act.
FMF administration.--Funds made available under this
heading for the general costs of administering military
assistance and sales should be made available to increase the
efficiency and effectiveness of programs authorized by Chapter
2 of the Arms Export Control Act.
Israel.--The Committee recommendation includes
$3,300,000,000 in grants for military assistance to Israel,
which is the same as the budget request. The Committee notes
that the recommendation fully funds the second year of the ten-
year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United
States and Israel. The Committee further notes the continued
importance of Israel as a major strategic partner and ally of
the United States in an unstable and critical region of the
world. The Committee recognizes that the United States-Israel
partnership is integral to United States national security
interests in the region and supports the continuation of the
MOU framework negotiated by the Obama Administration to
strengthen the strategic partnership to the benefit of both the
United States and Israel. The Committee emphasizes the
commitment of the United States to the security of Israel and
to ensuring that Israel's qualitative military edge and defense
capabilities are maintained.
The Committee notes that Israel maintains the flexibility
under the MOU to purchase jet fuel from the United States.
Section 7035(b) includes language carried in the prior year
designating an amount for the Special Defense Acquisition Fund.
The Committee supports the use of this fund to transfer
precision guided munitions and related defense articles and
services to reserve stocks for Israel and the transfer of such
stocks as necessary for Israel's legitimate self-defense.
Lebanon.--The Committee recommendation includes language in
section 7041(f) of this Act requiring that certain conditions
be met prior to the obligation of funds under this heading for
assistance for Lebanon. The Committee intends that assistance
provided to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will not be used
against Israel, and such assistance will not affect Israel's
qualitative military edge in the region. The Committee notes
that section 7041(f) prohibits funds for the Lebanese Internal
Security Forces or the LAF if either organization is controlled
by a foreign terrorist organization and the Committee directs
the Secretary of State to regularly consult with the Committee
regarding the rigorous implementation of this provision and on
the activities of the LAF and assistance provided by the United
States. The Committees includes further language under
``Reports'' in this heading.
Training related to International Humanitarian Law.--The
Committee encourages the Secretary of State to make available
funds appropriated under title IV of this Act for lethal
assistance for the purpose of training related to the
requirements of international humanitarian law as a component
of such assistance to countries that received such assistance,
as appropriate.
Reports
Lebanon.--Not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, the Committee directs the Secretary of State to submit to
the Committees on Appropriations an updated report, in
classified form if necessary, on the performance of the LAF,
including an assessment of the operational capabilities of such
forces and how the training, curriculum, and equipment provided
by the United States contributes to those capabilities.
Military training report.--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 to foreign
governments with funds appropriated to the Department of
Defense or the Department of State, except for training
provided to the government of a country designated by section
517(b) of such Act as a major non-NATO ally.
Vetting.--Not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees on foreign assistance
cases submitted for vetting for purposes of section 620M of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 during the preceding fiscal
year, including: (i) the total number of cases submitted,
approved, suspended, or rejected for human rights reasons; and
(ii) for cases rejected, a description of the steps taken to
assist the foreign government in taking effective measures to
bring the responsible members of the security forces to
justice, in accordance with section 620M(c) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961. The report shall be submitted in
unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a classified
annex.
TITLE V--MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $339,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 646,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... +307,500,000
Change from request............................... +646,500,000
The Committee recommendation includes $646,500,000 for
International Organizations and Programs.
The Committee recommendation does not support the
elimination of the International Organizations and Programs
(IO&P) account, as proposed in the President's budget request.
The Committee intends to use multilateral assistance as a
resource multiplier to advance the shared goals of the United
States government and international organizations.
Such funds are allocated according to the following table
and subject to section 7019 of this Act:
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organizations/Programs Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN--West 1,000
Bank and Gaza.......................................
International Chemicals and Toxins Programs.......... 3,175
International Civil Aviation Organization............ 1,200
International Conservation Programs.................. 7,000
International Development Law Organization........... 400
International Maritime Organization.................. 325
Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund.................. 32,000
Organization of American States...................... 9,500
of which, Human Rights........................... [5,000]
of which, OAS Development Assistance Programs.... [500]
Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy 50
and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.............
UN Capital Development Fund.......................... 1,100
UN Children's Fund................................... 147,500
of which, Combating female genital mutilation [5,000]
programs........................................
of which, West Bank and Gaza..................... [10,000]
UN Democracy Fund.................................... 3,000
UN Development Program............................... 95,000
of which, West Bank and Gaza..................... [15,000]
UN Environment Program............................... 7,000
UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change/UN 10,500
Framework Convention on Climate Change..............
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights................ 13,500
of which, Honduras............................... [1,000]
of which, Colombia............................... [1,000]
of which, Guatemala.............................. [1,000]
UN Human Settlements Program......................... 1,700
of which, West Bank and Gaza..................... [1,000]
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 2,500
Affairs.............................................
UN Population Fund................................... 55,500
of which, West Bank and Gaza..................... [1,000]
United Nations Relief and Works Agency............... 170,550
UN Resident Coordinator System....................... 23,000
UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General 1,750
for Sexual Violence in Conflict.....................
UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women.......... 1,500
UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the 1,150
Field of Human Rights...............................
UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture............. 8,000
UN Women............................................. 10,000
World Food Program--West Bank and Gaza............... 20,000
World Health Organization--West Bank and Gaza........ 8,000
World Meteorological Organization.................... 10,000
World Trade Organization Technical Assistance........ 600
------------------
Total........................................ 646,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds appropriated under this heading shall be made
available for core contributions for each entity listed in the
above table unless: (1) otherwise provided for in this Act or
such table; or (2) the Secretary of State justifies the
proposed uses of funds other than for core contributions in the
congressional notification submitted for funds under this
heading. The Secretary shall consult with the Committees on
Appropriations prior to submitting such notification.
The Committee recommendation includes $23,000,000 to
support the United Nations resident coordinator system.
The Committee recommends $9,500,000 for the Organization of
American States (OAS), of which $5,000,000 is for human rights,
$500,000 is for OAS Development Assistance Programs, and
$500,000 is for the Office of the Special Rapporteur for
Freedom of Expression.
The Committee notes with great concern rising humanitarian
needs and a lack of adequate resources in the West Bank and
Gaza. The Committee recommends a total of $226,550,000 in
multilateral assistance to support humanitarian and development
efforts. Such assistance shall only be provided to
international organizations that are currently operating in the
West Bank and Gaza and that adhere to the humanitarian
principles of independence, impartiality, humanity, and
neutrality.
The Committee expects that the UN organizations funded
under the IO&P account for operations in the West Bank and Gaza
will report to the Committees on Appropriations not later than
45 days after enactment of this Act on how such assistance is
used to: (1) address urgent humanitarian needs; (2) promote a
private sector economy; (3) continue support for transparent
and accountable government institutions; (4) improve security
in the region; and (5) advance Middle East peace.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).--In
addition to the humanitarian principles noted above, the
Committee urges UNRWA to take additional steps to adhere to the
policies described in section 7048 (d) of this Act, including
redoubling efforts to (1) implement 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; and (2) take steps to ensure that
the content of all educational materials taught in UNRWA-
administered schools and summer camps is: (A) consistent with
the value of dignity for all persons; and (B) does not induce
or encourage incitement, violence, or prejudice.
International Financial Institutions
International Monetary Fund (IMF) repayment.--The Committee
directs the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United
States executive director of the IMF to seek to ensure that any
loan be repaid to the IMF before other private or multilateral
creditors.
Global Agriculture Food Security Program.--The Committee
recommendation does not include an appropriation for a
contribution to the Global Agriculture Food Security Program
(GAFSP), which has remaining balances available from prior
appropriations Acts for such contribution. The Secretary of the
Treasury shall continue the 2012 pledge to provide to GAFSP one
dollar for every two dollars in contributions from other
donors, utilizing such prior year balances.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $139,575,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 139,575,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +139,575,000
The Committee recommendation includes $139,575,000 for the
Global Environment Facility subject to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Funds should
remain available and be fully disbursed no later than September
30, 2021. The Committee expects $136,563,000 shall be available
only for the second installment of the seventh replenishment of
Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Report
Status of disbursement.--The Committee directs the
Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report to the Committees
on Appropriations on the status of appropriated funds to the
GEF and provide a timeline for the obligation and disbursement
of any funds that have yet to be obligated or disbursed. The
report shall be provided on a quarterly basis until funds for
the first and second installments of the seventh replenishment
are completely disbursed.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND
DEVELOPMENT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 206,500,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 206,500,000
Change from enacted level......................... +206,500,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $206,500,000 for
Contribution to the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development.
LIMITATION ON CALLABLE CAPITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
The Committee recommendation includes not to exceed
$1,421,275,728.70 for Limitation on Callable Capital
Subscriptions.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $1,097,010,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 1,097,010,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,097,010,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $1,097,010,000 for
Contribution to the International Development Association.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $47,395,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 47,395,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 47,395,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $47,395,000 for
Contribution to the Asian Development Fund.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $171,300,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 171,300,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 171,300,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $171,300,000 for
Contribution to the African Development Fund.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 0
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation does not provide funds for
Contribution to the North American Development Bank, and no
funds were requested in the fiscal year 2020 request.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $30,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +30,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for
Contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural
Development, which, if annualized over three years, would sum
to $90,000,000 in support of the eleventh replenishment for the
International Fund for Agricultural Development.
TITLE VI--EXPORT AND INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
Export-Import Bank of the United States
INSPECTOR GENERAL
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $5,700,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 5,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 5,700,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +700,000
The Committee recommendation includes $5,700,000 for Office
of Inspector General.
The Committee directs the OIG to submit to the Committees
on Appropriations its annual audit plan within the first
quarter of fiscal year 2020.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $110,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 95,500,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 110,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... 0
Change from request............................... +14,500,000
The Committee recommendation includes $110,000,000 for
Administrative Expenses and does not include funds for a
subsidy appropriation.
Space commercial launch services.--The Committee recognizes
that the competitive market for commercial launch services
represents promise for United States exports and supports the
Export-Import Bank to explore new opportunities in this nascent
industry.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
NONCREDIT ACCOUNT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $79,200,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 0
Change from enacted level......................... -79,200,000
Change from request............................... 0
PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $20,000,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 0
Committee recommendation.............................. 0
Change from enacted level......................... -20,000,000
Change from request............................... 0
Pursuant to section 1464 of the BUILD Act of 2018 (division
F of Public Law 115-254), the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation is terminated at the end of the transition period
for the United States International Development Finance
Corporation on September 30, 2019.
United States International Development Finance Corporation
INSPECTOR GENERAL
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 2,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +2,000,000
Change from request............................... 0
The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 for Office
of Inspector General.
The Committee directs the OIG to submit to the Committees
on Appropriations its annual audit plan within the third
quarter of fiscal year 2020.
Report.--The Committee directs the OIG to submit a report,
not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act, assessing
the integration and efficiency of policies, procedures, and
processes of the DFC during its first year of operation. Such
report shall also include whether the DFC is maximizing its
resources, such as equity financing, to directly contribute to
development and foreign policy goals described under section
1412 of the BUILD Act of 2018.
CORPORATE CAPITAL ACCOUNT
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $0
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 298,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 164,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... +164,000,000
Change from request............................... -134,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $164,000,000 for the
Corporate Capital Account for the DFC. Within that amount,
$101,000,000 is provided for administrative expenses, which may
also be available for other direct costs; $8,000,000 is for
project-specific transaction costs; $25,000,000 is for equity;
and $30,000,000 is for credit subsidy, including technical
assistance projects, which shall be transferred to the Program
Account. In addition, up to $25,000 may be available for
official reception and representation expenses, subject to
sections 7010 and 7020 of this Act.
As created by Public Law 115-254, the DFC is a new agency
comprised of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
and the Development Credit Authority (DCA) that seeks to use
development finance tools, such as loans, guarantees, equity
funds, technical assistance, and political-risk insurance, to
incentivize private sector investment in developing countries
to have a positive developmental impact. By providing
developing countries another alternative for financing, the DFC
seeks to cooperate with other like-minded development finance
institutions to help countries avoid debt traps while
supporting American businesses to invest in developing markets.
Contribution to Capital Security Cost Sharing program.--The
Committee directs the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DFC
to make a contribution to the Capital Security Cost Sharing
program for any personnel under COM Authority in fiscal year
2020, consistent with the requirements of section 7004 of this
Act and title 22 United States Code 4865 note.
Private investment in the Caribbean.--The Committee
encourages robust support for private investment in the
Caribbean and urges the DFC to prioritize investments in
Caribbean countries that support minority and women-owned
businesses and maximize the development impact on women's
economic empowerment.
2X Women's Initiative.--The Committee directs the CEO of
the DFC to continue the support of the 2X Women's Initiative
after the termination of OPIC.
Budget request.--The Committee directs the CEO of the DFC
to include in the CBJ for fiscal year 2021 a confidential annex
that describes new loans, guarantees, insurance, feasibility
studies and technical assistance grants, and equity agreements
approved or anticipated in the prior year, current year, and
budget year by: category, recipient, country; level of DFC
resources provided; source year of financing used; and
additional details including a description of the positive and
negative subsidy assigned to the largest projects and the level
of guarantee provided. The CEO of the DFC shall consult with
the Committees on Appropriations on the format of the
confidential annex.
Local currency guarantees.--The Committee directs the DFC
to consult with the Committees on Appropriations before
exercising local currency loan guarantee authority and to
provide to the Committees on Appropriations, prior to the
consultation, justification for the need to exercise such
authority, the use of subsidy required, the degree to which the
United States would be exposed to additional risk as a result
of such transactions, and which other United States Government
agencies have been consulted.
Reports
Transition status.--The Committee directs the DFC to submit
a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, on the staff and activities
funded by the Corporate Capital Account. Specifically, the
report shall describe the differences among credit
administrative expenses, insurance administrative expenses,
project-specific transaction costs, and associate costs; the
cost savings of shared efficiencies through the integration of
OPIC and DCA; the plan for establishing and setting up the
feasibility study and technical assistance programs, equity
financing, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; and the
process for maintaining strong linkages with the Department of
State and USAID.
Investment funds.--The Committee directs the DFC to provide
to the Committees on Appropriations written reports on a semi-
annual basis, including the following for each investment fund:
(1) the identity, selection process, and professional
background of current and past managers; (2) the fees and
compensation currently provided to senior management; and (3)
the amount of guarantees and actual investments made at the end
of the previous six months.
Equity agreements.--The Committee directs the DFC to
provide to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 90
days after enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter
until September 30, 2020, written reports for each equity
agreement, which shall include the following: (1) a description
of each agreement or project and how such agreement meets the
criteria established by the Corporation for use of equity
financing; (2) the amount of DFC-invested equity and projected
returns over the life of the investment; (3) details regarding
investors and partners, income level of country, project
sector, and deal structuring; and (4) the contribution and
impact to local economic conditions and long-term development
and foreign policy goals in the region.
PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The Committee recommendation includes a limitation of
$80,000,000 on amounts paid to, or transferred into, this
account for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans.
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Fiscal Year 2019 enacted level........................ $79,500,000
Fiscal Year 2020 request.............................. 12,105,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 75,000,000
Change from enacted level......................... -4,500,000
Change from request............................... +62,895,000
The Committee recommendation includes $75,000,000 for Trade
and Development Agency. The Committee recommendation does not
assume the closure of operations for the United States Trade
and Development Agency (USTDA), as proposed by the fiscal year
2020 request.
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The Committee recommends the following general provisions
carried in the fiscal year 2019 Act be deleted: 7030, 7037,
7050, 7051, 7055, 7056, 7074, 7075, and 7076. These provisions
are either addressed elsewhere in permanent law, have been
considered by the appropriate authorizing committee, are
directly addressed in this report, or are no longer necessary.
The Committee recommends the following new, revised and
retained provisions:
Section 7001 (Allowances and Differentials) includes
language carried in the prior year regarding allowances and
differentials.
Section 7002 (Unobligated Balances Report) includes
language carried in the prior year requiring agencies to
provide quarterly reports on the cumulative balances of any
unobligated funds.
Section 7003 (Consulting Services) includes language
carried in the prior year requiring that consulting service
contracts shall be a matter of public record.
Section 7004 (Diplomatic Facilities) includes language
modified from the prior year with respect to the construction
and use of diplomatic facilities, setting limitations,
expanding notification and oversight requirements, and placing
conditions and restrictions on certain funds. Further direction
concerning notification and oversight of diplomatic facilities
is included under the heading Embassy Security, Construction,
and Maintenance.
The Secretary of State is directed to promptly inform the
Committees on Appropriations of each instance in which a
Federal department or agency is delinquent in providing the
full amount of funding required by section 604(e) of the Secure
Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999.
During fiscal year 2020, the Secretary of State shall
continue to submit to the Committees on Appropriations the
reports in the timeframe and manner required by section 7004(h)
of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2019 (division F of Public Law
116-6).
The Secretary of State is directed to not grant final
approval for construction of a new facility or substantial
construction to improve or expand an existing facility in the
United States by or for the Government of the People's Republic
of China (PRC) until the Secretary certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that an agreement has been
concluded between the Government of the United States and the
PRC that permits secure resupply, maintenance, and new
construction of United States Government facilities in the PRC.
Funds made available under the headings Diplomatic Programs
and Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance shall be
made available to address security vulnerabilities at interim
and temporary United States diplomatic facilities abroad,
including for physical security upgrades and local guard
staffing, following consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations.
Section 7005 (Personnel Actions) includes language carried
in the prior year regarding certain personnel actions and the
authority to transfer funds between appropriations accounts.
Section 7006 (Department and Agency Management) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding Department of
State and USAID management. This section merges language
previously carried in section 7057, USAID Management.
State Department
Financial systems improvement.--The Committee
recommendation under the headings Diplomatic Programs and
Capital Investment Fund includes funding for the Secretary of
State to implement the recommendations contained in the Foreign
Assistance Data Review Findings Report (FADR) and the OIG
report entitled, ``Department Financial Systems Are
Insufficient to Track and Report on Foreign Assistance Funds''.
The Committee directs that no funding may be obligated for
enhancements to, or expansions of, the Budget System
Modernization Financial System, Central Resource Management
System, Joint Financial Management System, or Foreign
Assistance Coordination and Tracking System until such updated
plan is submitted to the Committees on Appropriations. Funding
made available under the headings Diplomatic Programs and
Capital Investment Fund may not be obligated for new, or
expansion of existing, ad hoc electronic systems to track
commitments, obligations, or expenditures of funds unless the
Secretary of State, following consultation with the Chief
Information Officer of the Department of State, has reviewed
and certified that such new system or expansion is consistent
with the FADR and OIG recommendations.
State Department personnel levels.--The Committee is
concerned about the significant reductions to the Department of
State's permanent Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel
since fiscal year 2016. The Committee recommendation includes
sufficient funding to hire permanent Foreign Service and Civil
Service personnel at not less than levels on-board in 2016. The
Secretary of State is directed to work with the Committees on
Appropriations to continue to increase hiring levels in fiscal
year 2020.
The Committee recommendation assumes sufficient funding for
introductory classes for the Department of State Foreign
Service (A-100 classes) at not less than the 2019 rate, and the
Secretary of State shall continue such classes in such manner.
Reports
FADR implementation.--The Committee directs the Secretary
of State to submit an update to the plan required under section
7006 of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2017 (division J of Public
Law 115-31) on implementing the FADR and OIG recommendations.
Consistent with the findings of the OIG, the Committee is
concerned about the Department's ability to sufficiently track
and report on the obligation of funds appropriated under titles
III and IV of this Act. The Committee directs that, not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State shall provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations detailing the capacity of each bureau or office
with responsibility for the management and oversight of foreign
assistance funding to: (1) account for the obligated funds at
the country and program level, as appropriate; (2) identify
risks and develop mitigation and monitoring plans; (3)
establish performance measures and indicators; (4) review
activities and performance; and (5) assess final results and
reconcile finances.
State Department personnel levels.--The Committee is
concerned about the consistency and transparency in the
Department's workforce and associated salary and benefit budget
data. The Committee directs that, not later than 60 days after
enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter, the Secretary
of State shall provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations containing the following information: (1) a
comparison of on-board and funded permanent U.S. Direct Hire
staffing levels, to include Civil Service and Foreign Service
personnel by appropriation account; and (2) the associated
American salaries budget data. The Secretary of State shall
consult with the Committee on Appropriations on the content and
format of such report.
Information technology.--In complying with the requirements
of paragraph (5)(A), the Chief Information Officer, Department
of State, shall consider whether a new major information
technology investment: (1) is consistent with the Department's
Information Technology Strategic Plan; (2) maintains
consolidated control over enterprise IT functions or improves
operational maintenance (3) improves Department of State
resiliency to a cyber-attack; (4) reduces Department of State
IT costs over the long-term; and (5) is in accordance with the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), including FAR Part 6
regarding competition requirements.
United States Agency for International Development
USAID personnel levels.--The Committee is concerned about
significant reductions to USAID's permanent Foreign Service and
Civil Service personnel since fiscal year 2016. The Committee
recommendation includes sufficient funding to hire permanent
Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel at not less than
levels funded in fiscal year 2016. The USAID Administrator is
directed to work with the Committees on Appropriations to
continue to increase hiring levels in fiscal year 2020.
USAID reorganization.--The Committee notes that, pursuant
to subsection (b)(10)(A), the report shall include the
following information on a quarterly basis: (1) actual
obligations to date for all implementation costs associated
with ``Reorg CNs #1-9'' by the categories detailed in USAID's
response to the Committees on Appropriations on October 30,
2018, to include the salaries and benefits of United States
Direct Hire employees working directly on implementation of
each reorganization and the source of such funding; (2) a
project status and projected timeline for each of the
reorganizations based on the milestones and timelines provided
to the Committees on Appropriations on October 30, 2018; and
(3) actual and anticipated United States Direct Hire workforce
level changes by bureau and operating unit as a result of the
reorganizations, including staffing shifts between functions.
Section 7007 (Prohibition Against Direct Funding for
Certain Countries) includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting assistance for the governments of Cuba, North
Korea, Iran, and Syria.
Section 7008 (Coups d'Etat) includes language carried in
the prior year prohibiting assistance for countries whose duly
elected head of government is deposed by military coup or
decree, or a coup or decree in which the military plays a
decisive role; requiring a determination; and providing a
waiver under certain conditions.
Section 7009 (Transfer of Funds Authority) includes
language modified from the prior year setting limitations and
conditions on transfers between appropriations accounts, and
requiring audits of certain transfers. The Committee directs
the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator to submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than
October 31, 2020 detailing all of the transfers to another
United States government agency made pursuant to sections
632(a) and 632(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and
include a listing of each transfer with the funding level,
appropriations account, and receiving agency. This requirement
shall not apply to agreements entered into between USAID and
the Department of State.
Section 7010 (Prohibition on Certain Operational Expenses)
includes language modified from the prior year prohibiting
first-class travel and setting certain limitations on computer
networks and the promotion of tobacco.
Section 7011 (Availability of Funds) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding the availability of
funds appropriated by this Act. The Committee directs the
Secretary of State and USAID Administrator to report to the
Committee on Appropriations, not later than October 31, 2020,
on the use of the authority contained in this section, by
account and source year, during the previous fiscal year.
Section 7012 (Limitation on Assistance to Countries in
Default) includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting assistance for countries in default and allowing
exceptions in certain circumstances.
Section 7013 (Prohibition on Taxation of United States
Assistance) includes language carried in the prior year
withholding assistance to a country where such assistance is
subject to taxation, unless the Secretary of State makes
certain determinations, and updating a reporting requirement.
The report required pursuant to subsection (h) shall
include a description of the steps taken by the Department of
State and other relevant Federal agencies to comply with the
requirements of this section. The report shall include rules,
regulations, and policy guidance issued and updated pursuant to
subsection (f).
Section 7014 (Reservations of Funds) includes language
carried in the prior year regarding the reservation of funds
and the designation of certain funding levels.
Section 7015 (Notification Requirements) includes language
modified from the prior year establishing the notification
requirements for funds made available in this Act.
Subsection (c) requires that notifications submitted
pursuant to this section shall include information (if known on
the date of transmittal of such notification) on the use of any
notwithstanding authority. Additionally, if subsequent to a
notification of assistance it becomes necessary to rely on
notwithstanding authority, the Committees on Appropriations
should be informed at the earliest opportunity and to the
extent practicable.
Notifications submitted in accordance with subsection (g)
shall include the following information: (1) the office or
bureau at the Department of the Treasury and USAID or the
Department of State that will oversee programs and expenditures
of the trust fund; (2) the website link to publicly available
expenditures of the trust fund; (3) a copy of the
administrative agreement between the international financial
institution and the United States; and (4) whether direct
government assistance will be provided by the trust fund and
specific risk mitigation and anti-corruption steps are being
taken by the trust fund.
Pursuant to subsection (h), the regular notification
requirements of the Committees on Appropriations shall apply to
the following programs and activities:
(1) Funds made available to carry out a lateral entry
pilot program pursuant to section 404 of the Department
of State Authorities Act, Fiscal Year 2017;
(2) The Global Engagement Center of the Department of
State;
(3) The Power Africa initiative, or any successor
program;
(4) Community-based police assistance conducted
pursuant to the authority of section 7035(a)(1) of the
Act;
(5) Programs to counter foreign fighters and
extremist organizations, pursuant to section 7047(a) of
the Act;
(6) The Relief and Recovery Fund;
(7) The Global Security Contingency Fund;
(8) The Countering Russian Influence Fund; and
(9) Programs to end modern slavery.
Not later than 5 days after the conclusion of an agreement
with a country, including a state with a compact of free
association with the United States, to receive by transfer or
release individuals detained at the United States Naval
Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Secretary of State shall
notify the Committees on Appropriations in writing of the terms
of the agreement, including whether funds appropriated by this
Act or prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of
State, foreign operations, and related programs will be made
available for assistance for such country pursuant to such
agreement.
Section 7016 (Document Requests) includes language modified
from the prior year concerning public posting of reports and
documents.
Records management and cybersecurity protections.--The
Committee recommendation does not include funding under the
headings Diplomatic Programs and Capital Investment Fund in
title I and Operating Expenses and Capital Investment Fund in
title II 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).
The Committee directs the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to: (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 that all Federal records
generated by such employees, including senior officials, belong
to the Federal Government and cannot be destroyed, modified or
corrupted; (4) improve 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 cyber
security 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.
Section 7017 (Use of Funds in Contravention of this Act)
includes language carried in the prior year prohibiting funds
for programs in contravention of this Act.
Section 7018 (Prohibition on Funding for Abortions and
Involuntary Sterilization) includes language carried in the
prior year prohibiting funding for abortions and involuntary
sterilization.
Section 7019 (Allocations and Reports) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding funding directives
specified in tables and reporting directives in the report
accompanying this Act.
Section 7020 (Representation and Entertainment Expenses)
includes language carried in the prior year regarding the use
of representation expenses.
Section 7021 (Prohibition on Assistance to Governments
Supporting International Terrorism) includes language carried
in the prior year prohibiting assistance for governments that
support international terrorism.
Section 7022 (Authorization Requirements) includes language
carried in the prior year regarding authorization requirements.
Section 7023 (Definition of Program, Project, and Activity)
includes language carried in the prior year defining the terms
``program, project, and activity''.
Section 7024 (Authorities for the Peace Corps, Inter-
American Foundation and United States African Development
Foundation) includes language carried in the prior year
regarding certain authorities for the Peace Corps, IAF, and the
USADF.
Section 7025 (Commerce, Trade and Surplus Commodities)
includes language modified from the prior year relating to
commerce, trade, and surplus commodities.
The Committee directs the Secretary of the Treasury to
instruct the United States executive director of each
international financial institution (IFI) to use the voice and
vote of the United States to oppose any assistance by such
institution 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.
Section 7026 (Separate Accounts) includes language modified
from the prior year regarding the requirement that separate
accounts be established for cash transfers and assistance that
generates local currencies and establishing certain conditions
on the use of those funds.
Section 7027 (Eligibility for Assistance) includes language
carried in the prior year regarding assistance through
nongovernmental organizations and assistance provided under the
Food for Peace Act.
Section 7028 (Local Competition) includes language modified
from the prior year conditioning funds provided to local
organizations through limited competitions. For the purposes of
subsection (a), limited local competitions should only be used
if USAID has: (1) assessed the level of local capacity to
effectively implement, manage, and account for programs
included in such competition; (2) documented the results of the
assessment; (3) determined that a successful local entity is
responsible according to Agency guidelines; and (4) put in
place effective monitoring and evaluations systems.
Report
Limited competition.--Not later than 45 days after the end
of the fiscal year 2020, the USAID Administrator shall report
to the appropriate congressional committees on all awards in
excess of $3,000,000 and sole source awards in excess of
$2,000,000 subject to limited or no competition for local
entities.
Section 7029 (International Financial Institutions)
includes language modified from the prior year regarding social
and environment safeguards; the compensation level of the
United States executive director to each IFI; human rights
promotion; and fraud and corruption.
The Committee directs the Secretary of the Treasury to
instruct the United States executive director of each
international financial institution:
(1) Pursuant to subsection (c), to promote human
rights in accordance with the following criteria: (a)
the IFI has an explicit policy commitment to respect
human rights; (b) the IFI conducts assessments of how
proposed loans, grants, policies, or strategies may
impact human rights; (c) the IFI's due diligence
process is informed by information and recommendations
from the United Nations, regional human rights
entities, or other human rights organizations, as
appropriate; (d) the IFI has a specific policy and
procedures for consulting local communities and other
stakeholders as part of the due diligence process; (e)
the IFI requires free, prior and informed consent for
loans, grants, policies, or strategies affecting
indigenous peoples; (f) the IFI has a specific policy
and procedures for responding to intimidation and
reprisals against people adversely affected by IFI
loans, grants, policies, or strategies; and (g) the IFI
has accessible, efficient, and effective accountability
and grievance mechanisms in place at the national and
project levels. Further, prior to voting on any loan,
grant, policy, or strategy, the executive director
shall consult with the Assistant Secretary for
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the Department of
State if the executive director believes that such
loan, grant, policy, or strategy could result in forced
displacement or other violations of human rights.
(2) To vote against loans or other financing for
projects unless such projects: (a) provide for
accountability and transparency, including the
collection, verification and publication of beneficial
ownership information related to extractive industries
and on-site monitoring during the life of the project;
(b) will be developed and carried out in accordance
with best practices regarding environmental
conservation; cultural protection; and empowerment of
local populations, including free, prior and informed
consent of affected indigenous communities; (c) do not
provide incentives for, or facilitate, forced
displacement; and (d) do not partner with, or otherwise
involve, enterprises owned or controlled by the armed
forces.
(3) To seek to require that such institution is
effectively implementing and enforcing policies and
procedures which reflect best practices for the
protection of whistleblowers from retaliation,
including best practices for: (a) protection against
retaliation for internal and lawful public disclosure;
(b) legal burdens of proof; (c) statutes of limitation
for reporting retaliation; (d) access to independent
adjudicative bodies, including external arbitration;
and (e) results that eliminate the effects of proven
retaliation.
Reports
Evaluation.--The Committee directs the Secretary of the
Treasury to instruct the United States executive director of
each IFI to seek the adoption and implementation at each
institution of a publicly available policy, including the
strategic use of peer reviews and external experts, requiring
independent, in-depth evaluations of the effectiveness of at
least 25 percent of all loans, grants, programs, and
significant analytical non-lending activities in advancing the
institution's goals of reducing poverty and promoting equitable
economic growth, consistent with relevant safeguards, to ensure
that decisions to support such loans, grants, programs, and
activities are based on accurate data and objective analysis.
The Committee directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, on steps taken on these
matters in fiscal year 2019 by the United States executive
directors and the IFIs compared to the previous fiscal year.
Beneficial ownership.--The Committee directs the Secretary
of the Treasury to instruct the United States executive
director of each IFI to seek to require that such institution
collects, verifies, and publishes, 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. The
Committee directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, on steps taken on these
matters in fiscal year 2019 by the United States executive
directors and the IFIs compared to the previous fiscal year.
Section 7030 (Multi-Year Pledges) includes language
modified from prior year on multi-year pledges.
Multi-year pledge requirements.--The Committee directs that
any multi-year pledge made with funds appropriated in titles
III through VI of this Act must be: (1) previously justified,
including 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.
Section 7031 (Financial Management and Budget Transparency)
includes language modified from the prior year regarding
management of direct assistance to governments, budget
transparency of recipient countries, corruption and human
rights violations, and the foreign assistance website.
For the purposes of this section, the term ``direct
government-to-government assistance'' shall include cash
transfers, non-project sector assistance, and other forms of
assistance where funds appropriated by this Act are provided
directly to the recipient government.
Pursuant to subsection (a)(1), funds appropriated by this
Act may be made available for direct government-to-government
assistance only if: (1) 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; (2) the recipient agency or
ministry employs and utilizes staff with the necessary
technical, financial, and management capabilities; (3) the
recipient agency or ministry has adopted competitive
procurement policies and systems; (4) effective monitoring and
evaluation systems are in place to ensure that such assistance
is used for its intended purposes; (5) no level of acceptable
fraud is assumed; and (6) the government of the recipient
country is taking steps to publicly disclose on an annual basis
its national budget to include income and expenditures.
The recipient government or ministry must also be in
compliance with the principles set forth in section 7013 of
this Act; not be 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);
have an agreement with the government of the United States, in
writing, on clear and achievable objectives for the use of such
assistance, which should be made available on a cost-
reimbursable basis; and is taking steps to protect the rights
of civil society, including freedoms of expression,
association, and assembly.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to consult
prior to, and submit to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations, making any funds available
for direct government-to-government assistance. Such
notifications should include how the proposed activity meets
the requirements of this section and should only apply to such
assistance in excess of $10,000,000 and funds available for
cash transfer, budget support, and cash payments to
individuals. Any planned government-to-government assistance
should be included with the fiscal year 2021 CBJ and should
include the proposed funding amount, source of funds, and type
of assistance.
For the purposes of subsection (b), ``minimum requirements
of fiscal transparency'' shall mean the public disclosure of a
country's national budget, including income and expenditures by
ministry, and government contracts and licenses for natural
resource extraction, including bidding and concession
allocation practices. The Fiscal Transparency report required
by this subsection should identify steps taken by a government
to disclose additional budget documentation, contracts, and
licenses which are additional to information disclosed in the
previous year as well as recommendations of short- and long-
term steps such government should take to improve fiscal
transparency. The report should also include a description of
how funds appropriated by this Act, including those provided
pursuant to paragraph (3), are being used to improve fiscal
transparency and identify benchmarks for measuring progress.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to make funds
available to improve the transparency and accountability of
expenditures and revenues related to the extraction of natural
resources. The Committee supports efforts that provide
technical assistance, promote independent audit mechanisms, and
facilitate civil society participation in managing natural
resources and preventing the sale of conflict diamonds.
The Committee directs the Secretary of the Treasury to
inform the management of the IFIs, and publish on the
Department of Treasury's website, that the policy of the United
States is to vote against any assistance by such institutions
that supports extracting and exporting natural resources from a
country whose government has established laws and regulations
to prevent or limit the public disclosure of company payments
as required by United States law. The United States may support
such assistance if the recipient government has adopted laws,
regulations, or procedures that: (1) accurately account for and
publicly disclose payments to the government by companies
involved in the extraction and export of natural resources; (2)
include independent auditing of accounts receiving such
payments and the public disclosure of such audits; and (3)
require public disclosure of agreement and bidding documents,
as appropriate. These requirements do not apply to assistance
that is for the purpose of building capacity in the recipient
government to meet the above criteria.
Reports
Government-to-government report.--Not later than 45 days
after enactment of this Act, the USAID Administrator shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations a report that
details all assistance provided through government-to-
government mechanisms by country, funding source and amount,
and type of procurement instrument, including whether the
assistance was provided on a reimbursable basis.
Corruption.--Pursuant to subsection (c), the Committee
directs the Secretary of State to submit a report, not later
than 180 days after enactment of this Act, including a
classified annex if necessary, to the Committees on
Appropriations that describes the corruption and/or violation
of human rights by individuals, whom the Secretary of State has
designated as ineligible for entry to the United States in the
previous 12 months pursuant to this section. The Committee
directs any unclassified portion of the report to be posted on
the Department of State website. The Committee clarifies that
the records of the Department of State related to the issuance
and refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States
should not be considered confidential and notes that the
Department of State has interpreted the term ``significant
corruption'' in this subsection to be corrupt activities that
would result in a denial under the 2004 Presidential
Proclamation 7750.
Section 7032 (Democracy Programs) contains language
modified from the prior year regarding democracy programs
funded in this Act. The Committee recommendation includes not
less than $2,400,000,000 in assistance for democracy programs,
which is the same as the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. An
additional $180,000,000 is provided under National Endowment
for Democracy. Funds made available pursuant to this section
are not intended for attribution to other sector or program
directives included in this Act.
For the purposes of subsection (d), ``demonstration of a
commitment to democracy and the rule of law'' should be
determined by the Secretary of State or the Administrator of
USAID.
Nothing in subsection (f) shall be construed to affect the
ability of any entity, including United States small
businesses, from competing for proposals from USAID-funded
civil society programs.
Subsection (h) directs that funds be made available to
support and protect civil society activists and journalists who
have been threatened, harassed, or attacked. The Committee is
concerned that for the third year in a row the number of
journalists imprisoned worldwide is at historic levels. The
Committee expects the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to continue to support programs that protect
journalists and advance press freedom at not less than prior
year levels.
The Committee supports continued investments in programs
that enhance the technical capacity of countries to prepare for
and manage elections, train political parties, educate voters,
and enhance transparency and accountability. The Committee
continues support for Department of State and USAID independent
media and internet freedom programs globally. With respect to
the provision of assistance made available in this Act for
democracy programs, the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator should prioritize using organizations with
significant experience implementing such programs and that
demonstrate successful outcomes.
Parliamentarians.--The Committee supports efforts to engage
parliamentarians and parliamentary organizations in support of
democratic norms and values. The Committee directs, not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Department of
State and USAID, in consultation with the National Endowment
for Democracy, to consult with the Committees on Appropriations
on expanding such efforts.
Report
Brunei.--The Committee is concerned that implementation of
Brunei's new Sharia Penal Code (SPC) violates international
norms and standards on human rights, including through
criminalization and discrimination against vulnerable groups
such as LGBTI persons, religious and ethnic minorities, women,
and children. The Committee directs the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Attorney General, to review the ongoing implementaton of the
SPC and determine whether sanctions required under the Global
Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act should be applied and
report back to the Committees on Appropriations not later than
45 days after enactment of this Act.
Prior approval.--Pursuant to subsection (e), the Committee
continues language that organizations receiving assistance for
democracy programs shall not be subject to prior approval by
the government of any foreign country and directs the Secretary
of State, in coordination with the USAID Administrator, to
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later
than 90 days after enactment of this Act, detailing steps taken
by the Department of State and USAID to comply with this
requirement.
Section 7033 (International Religious Freedom) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding international
religious freedom.
Subsection (a) designates funds under the heading
Diplomatic Programs to be made available for the Office of
International Religious Freedom, the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor, and the Special Envoy to Promote Religious
Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South
Central Asia. Funds for the Office of International Religious
Freedom shall be made available for the continued development
and implementation of an international religious freedom
curriculum in accordance with section 708 of the Foreign
Service Act of 1980.
Subsection (b) directs that funds appropriated under the
headings ``Democracy Fund'', ``Economic Support Fund'', and
``International Broadcasting Operations'' be made available for
international religious freedom programs and funds appropriated
under the headings ``International Disaster Assistance'' and
``Migration and Refugee Assistance'' be made available for
humanitarian assistance for vulnerable and persecuted religious
minorities. Funds designated for the Relief and Recovery Fund
shall also be made available for International Religious
Freedom to support transitional justice, reconciliation, and
reintegration programs for vulnerable and persecuted religious
minorities.
The Committee directs that the Ambassador-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom is responsible, in consultation
with other relevant U.S. government officials, for funds made
available pursuant to this section.
The Committee recommendation includes not less than
$10,000,000 for international religious freedom under the
heading Democracy Fund. In addition, funds are made available
under the heading Economic Support Fund for programs that
protect vulnerable and persecuted minorities, including to
investigate the persecution of such minorities by governments
and non-state actors and for the public dissemination of
information collected on such persecution, including on the
Department of State website.
Subsection (c) is modified from prior year language
clarifying that funds under the heading Economic Support Fund
may be made available for assistance for ethnic and religious
minorities in Iraq and Syria.
The Committee remains concerned for ethnic and religious
minorities, including Christians, Yezidis, Rohingya, and other
groups across the globe that have been victims of mass
atrocities, ethnic cleansing, and genocide. The Committee
recognizes the benefits of existing psychosocial support
programs coordinated by the Department of State and USAID for
these groups and individuals and supports the expansion of
these programs. Furthermore, the Committee encourages the
prioritization of psychosocial support programs to benefit
religious and ethnic minorities affected by ISIS, including
trauma therapy and care for children and survivors of sexual
slavery, as well as other highly vulnerable populations
worldwide.
Report
Religious minorities.--The Committee directs the Secretary
of State to provide a report not later than 45 days after
enactment of this Act to the Committees of Appropriations on
the status of the humanitarian assistance reaching vulnerable
and persecuted religious minorities.
Section 7034 (Special Provisions) includes language
modified from the prior year granting certain special
authorities and limitations relating to funds made available in
this Act.
Subsection (b) makes funds available for the prevention of
atrocities. The Committee directs the Under Secretary for
Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, to be
responsible for the strategic policy direction and policy
oversight of such funds. These funds are subject to the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
Subsection (d)(1) makes $3,000,000 available under the
heading Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia 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.).
Subsection (d)(5) extends the availability of certain
funds, up to $50,000,000, for an additional year if they are
being used for private sector partnerships following
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations.
Subsection (i)(5) continues prior year language with regard
to the Lautenberg Amendment. The Committee notes that this
critical provision is needed to preserve a safe and reliable
mechanism for eligible persecuted religious minorities to seek
freedom and safety in the United States.
Subsection (j) includes authority for the HIV/AIDS Working
Capital Fund. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
include an accounting of the budgetary resources,
disbursements, balances, and reimbursements of such Fund in its
fiscal year 2021 CBJ.
Cultural preservation project determination.--The Committee
expects that none of the funds appropriated in titles I, III,
and under the heading Economic Support Fund of this Act may be
used for the preservation of religious sites unless the
Secretary of State or the USAID Administrator, as appropriate,
determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that
such sites are historically, artistically, or culturally
significant, that the purpose of the project is neither to
advance nor to inhibit the free exercise of religion, and that
the project is in the national interest of the United States.
International child abductions.--The Secretary of State
should consider withholding funds appropriated under title IV
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.
Monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian assistance.--
Funds appropriated by the Act that are available for monitoring
and evaluation of assistance under the headings International
Disaster Assistance and Migration and Refugee Assistance shall,
as appropriate, be made available for the regular collection of
feedback obtained directly from beneficiaries on the quality
and relevance of such assistance. The Secretary of State and
USAID Administrator, as applicable, shall regularly conduct
oversight to ensure that such feedback is regularly collected
and used by implementing partners to maximize the cost-
effectiveness and utility of such assistance.
Section 7035 (Law Enforcement and Security) includes
language modified from the prior year related to assistance,
authorities, limitations, and notifications regarding law
enforcement and security matters.
In accordance with subsection (d)(2), the Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall
include a list of cases under development for major defense
equipment (as defined in section 47 of the Arms Export Control
Act) that are above the thresholds identified in section 36(b)
of the Arms Export Control Act for which the letter of request
is over 180 days old, consultations have not begun with the
committees of jurisdiction, and a Letter of Offer has not been
submitted. Such list shall include: (1) the date of the letter
of request; (2) the amount of the proposed sale; and (3) a
description of the defense article or service. The report shall
be submitted in unclassified form, but may be accompanied by a
classified annex, if necessary. The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall also be
prepared to discuss the status of each case, including whether
the case has been received by the Department of State.
Section 7036 (Enterprise Funds) includes language carried
in the prior year establishing restrictions on enterprise
funds.
Section 7037 (War Crimes Tribunals) includes language
carried in the prior year regarding authority for the President
to draw down certain funds to support war crimes tribunals or
commissions.
Section 7038 (Palestinian Statehood) includes language
modified from the prior year establishing limitations on the
use of funds in support of a Palestinian state. This section
includes a certification requirement that such a state should
enact a constitution assuring the rule of law, an independent
judiciary, and respect for human rights for its citizens in
order to merit assistance.
Section 7039 (Limitation on Assistance for the Palestinian
Authority) includes language modified from the prior year
placing limitations on any assistance for the Palestinian
Authority and the prohibitions on funds to the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas. The waiver now
includes the additional reporting requirement that the
Palestinian Authority (PA) has facilitated the settlement of
terrorism-related claims on nationals of the United States.
This section includes the limitations carried previously in
7041(k)(2) on assistance to the PA if the Palestinians obtain
membership at the United Nations or in any specialized agency
outside of an agreement negotiated with Israel or if the
Palestinians initiates an investigation at the International
Criminal Court (ICC). Prior year language in section 7041(k)(3)
reducing assistance by the amount expended by the PA as
payments for acts of terrorism is carried in this section, as
is prior year incitement reporting requirement 7041(k)(6). This
section also includes prior year language from section 7038
restricting assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting
Corporation.
Section 7040 (Assistance for the West Bank and Gaza)
includes language modified from the prior year including
provisions previously carried in section 7039 placing
conditions on assistance for the West Bank and Gaza, including
the requirements on partner vetting and the prohibition of
funds for the purpose of recognizing or honoring acts of
terrorism. The prior year reporting requirements from section
7041(k) on security and economic assistance are included in
this section.
The Committee notes that sections 7039 and 7040 are
intended to consolidate and clarify existing provisions and do
not represent a change in policy.
Pursuant to subsection (e), the Committee supports
$50,000,000 for private sector partnerships for the West Bank
and Gaza should such funds be authorized.
The Committee reaffirms its commitment to supporting United
States actions that promote peace between Israel and the
Palestinians. The Committee further reaffirms the long-standing
bipartisan support for a negotiated two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and that a lasting two-state
solution is essential to the achievement of long-term peace and
stability in the broader region.
Section 7041 (Middle East and North Africa) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding policies and
countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Arab League Boycott of Israel--Subsection (a) continues
language carried in the prior year related to the Arab League
Boycott of Israel. The Committee is concerned about
international efforts to stigmatize and isolate Israel through
the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. The
Committee directs, as part of the annual report to Congress on
the Arab League Boycott of Israel, that the President add
information about the BDS campaign, covering companies,
international organizations, countries, and other
organizations, including state investment vehicles, that are
involved in promoting the movement, as well as specific steps
the Department of State has taken and expects to take to
discourage or end politically-motivated efforts to boycott,
divest from, or sanction Israel or Israeli entities. The
Committee further directs the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to strengthen policies and procedures to ensure
organizations supported through funding are not participants in
such efforts.
Egypt.--Subsection (b) is modified from the prior year.
Funds for Egypt are allocated according to the following table:
EGYPT
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................ $35,000
Development Assistance............................... 67,500
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 2,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 3,000
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 1,800
Global Health Programs............................... 10,000
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 1,300,000
------------------
Total............................................ 1,419,300
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee notes the United States and Egypt share a
strong partnership based on mutual interest in Middle East
peace and stability, economic opportunity, and regional
security. Egypt has long been an important strategic partner in
the Middle East. Since the Camp David Accords, United States
assistance to Egypt has played a central role in the country's
economic and military development. Despite significant turmoil
in the region, Egypt remains an anchor of stability in the
Middle East, as exemplified by its enduring forty-year peace
with Israel. The Committee appreciates progress made over the
last year in advancing shared interests with respect to
combating terrorism, increasing pressure on North Korea,
countering Iran's malign influence in the region, and the
acquittal of employees of American nongovernmental
organizations that had been wrongly charged and convicted of
crimes for operating in Egypt. Promoting a stable and
prosperous Egypt, where the government preserves space for
civil society and protects human rights, should continue to be
a core objective of United States policy.
Withholding.--The Secretary of State shall withhold 20
percent of the funds provided for Egypt under the heading
Foreign Military Financing Program until the Secretary
certifies and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that
the Government of Egypt is meeting the governance and human
rights conditions described under ``Reports'' in this section.
A national security waiver is included in this Act. However,
five percent of such withheld funds is excluded from the waiver
and shall only be made available for obligation if the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that the Government of Egypt has provided fair
and commensurate compensation to American citizen, April
Corley, for severe injuries sustained during an attack on her
tour group by Egyptian armed forces on September 13, 2015. In
addition, the Committee notes that the funds subject to the
five percent withholding shall not be transferred to the
interest-bearing account until a final settlement has been
reached.
Funds made available for assistance for Egypt shall be
subject to prior consultation and the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations. Such funds
should be made available for democracy programs and for
development programs in the Sinai. Funds shall not be made
available for cash transfer assistance or budget support.
The Committee directs that not less than $35,000,000 of the
funds made available for assistance for Egypt under the heading
Development Assistance 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. Such institutions must meet standards equivalent to
those required for United States institutional accreditation by
a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States
Department of Education. Not later than 45 days after enactment
of this Act, the USAID Administrator shall consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on implementation of funds made
available for scholarships in Egypt.
The Committee encourages the USAID Administrator to
implement programs that assist orphans and vulnerable children
in Egypt, including children from religiously diverse
populations. The Committee supports continued efforts to ensure
religious freedom and tolerance, including for Christian
communities in Egypt.
The Secretary of State shall take all practicable steps to
ensure that mechanisms are in place for monitoring, oversight,
and control of funds made available by this subsection for
assistance for Egypt.
Reports
Governance and human rights.--The Committee directs, not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of State to submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees on steps taken by the Government of Egypt to: (1)
advance democracy and human rights in Egypt, including to
govern democratically and protect religious minorities and the
rights of women, which are in addition to steps taken during
the previous calendar year for such purposes; (2) implement
reforms that protect freedoms of expression, association, and
peaceful assembly, including the ability of civil society
organizations, human rights defenders, and the media to
function without interference; (3) release political prisoners
and provide detainees with due process of law; (4) hold
Egyptian security forces accountable, including officers
credibly alleged to have violated human rights; (5) investigate
and prosecute cases of extrajudicial killings and forced
disappearances; (6) provide regular access for United States
officials to monitor assistance in areas where the assistance
is used; (7) adhere to the separation of powers and the rule of
law, including constitutional limits on elected office and the
role of the military in governance; and (8) comply with United
Nations Security Council Resolution 2270 and other such
resolutions regarding North Korea.
Military restructure.--The Committee directs that not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations on
any plan to restructure military assistance for Egypt.
Iran.--Subsection (c) is modified from the prior year.
Pursuant to paragraph (1), funding under the headings
Diplomatic Programs, Economic Support Fund, and
Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs
shall be used by the Secretary of State for the following: (1)
to support the United States policy to prevent Iran from
achieving the capability to produce or otherwise obtain a
nuclear weapon; (2) to support an expeditious response to any
violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions or to
efforts that advance Iran's nuclear program; (3) to support the
implementation, enforcement, and renewal of sanctions against
Iran for its support of nuclear weapons development, terrorism,
human rights abuses, and ballistic missile and weapons
proliferation; and (4) for democracy programs for Iran, to be
administered by the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern
Affairs, Department of State, in consultation with the
Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor,
Department of State.
Report
Sanctions.--Pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary of
State shall report on Iran's compliance of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as well as on the status
of United States bilateral sanctions on Iran, the re-imposition
and renewed enforcement of secondary sanctions, and the impact
such sanctions have had on Iran's destabilizing activities
throughout the Middle East. Such report shall also include any
entities involved in providing significant support for the
development of a ballistic missile by the Government of Iran,
including shipping and financing, and note whether such
entities are currently under United States sanctions. The
report shall be submitted in an unclassified form and contain a
classified annex if necessary.
Iraq.--Subsection (d) is similar to language carried in the
prior year. Pursuant to paragraph (1), funds shall be made
available for: (1) bilateral economic assistance and
international security assistance, including for the Marla
Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund; (2) stabilization assistance;
(3) humanitarian assistance, including in the Kurdistan Region
of Iraq (KRI); and (4) programs to protect and assist religious
and ethnic minority populations in Iraq.
Funds made available under the headings International
Disaster Assistance and Migration and Refugee Assistance should
be made available to support programs that address the needs of
internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in the KRI, as
well as their host communities. Additionally, funds under the
heading Economic Support Fund should continue to support
programs that mitigate the impact of such IDPs and refugees in
such region.
Within the amount provided for assistance, the
recommendation includes funds to support American-style higher
education institutions in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan
region, on an open and competitive basis. The Secretary of
State or USAID Administrator, as appropriate, shall include
funds to be allocated for this purpose in the spend plan
submitted pursuant to section 7061(b) of this Act.
The Committee remains concerned about the lack of security
and the safe return of displaced Iraqi ethnic and religious
minorities, including Christians, Yezidis, and other groups who
have been victimized by genocide, to their ancestral homelands
in the Nineveh Plain, Tel Afar, and Sinjar areas of Iraq.
Support for such individuals and communities should, to the
maximum extent practicable, take into account the unique needs
and security requirements necessary for safe repatriation. The
Committee directs that not less than $50,000,000 of the funds
provided in this Act for stabilization and recovery assistance
be made available for assistance to support the safe return of
displaced religious and ethnic minorities to their communities
in Iraq.
The Committee notes that to increase security in liberated
areas in northern Iraq, including minority communities, the
Department should work with the Government of Iraq to support
security forces that reflect the ethno-sectarian makeup of the
areas in which they operate. In particular, the Department
should support a community policing program for the Nineveh
Plains--home to Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Yazidi, Christians, Shabak,
and Turkmen--Sinjar, and Kirkuk. This initiative would help
reestablish the relationship between the police and the
communities they serve, helping prevent conflict, address
security risks, and mitigate crime.
The Committee recommends that USAID continue funding for
stabilization and long-term economic viability of northern
Iraq. Contracts should preference local entities as
appropriate. The Committee supports efforts to increase parity
in assistance for Nineveh and Sinjar.
The Committee encourages the Department of State to work
with the relevant federal agency partners to expedite the
processing of the backlog of Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
applications. The Committee notes the critical role of the SIV
program in assisting the United States mission in Iraq and
urges the relevant congressional committees to review the needs
of this program. Many family members of SIV holders have waited
years without any notification from the Departments of State or
Homeland Security on the status or timeline of their visa
applications. The Committee encourages the State Department to
expand the days and hours of operation for consular services in
Erbil to accommodate the demand of persecuted populations in
northern Iraq.
The Committee encourages USAID to establish a strategic
communications program in Iraq that utilizes social media and
traditional media to engage with the Iraqi population and
counter the propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation
campaigns of various state and non-state actors that are
actively engaged in undermining United States and coalition
efforts. The Committee encourages USAID to consult with the
representatives from the United Kingdom's Conflict, Security
and Stability Fund to understand their strategic communication
efforts in Iraq and avoid duplication of efforts.
Reports
Security forces.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations,
not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
on efforts to integrate ethnic minorities in northern Iraq into
the security forces. Such report shall include the number of
such persons integrated into community police or similar
forces.
United Nations Development Program (UNDP).--Not later than
45 days after enactment of this Act, the USAID Administrator
shall submit a report on the status of the modified agreement
between USAID and UNDP regarding assistance to Iraqis,
particularly religious and ethnic minorities, to enable them to
return to their homes in areas liberated from ISIS. One aim of
the modified agreement was to ensure that the United States
contribution will help the populations of liberated areas in
Ninewa Province resume normal lives by restoring community-
prioritized services such as water, electricity, sewage,
health, and education. The Committee continues to support
assistance to religious and ethnic minorities, to the maximum
extent practicable, through indigenous aid and security
organizations on the ground that have a proven track record of
supporting local communities.
Jordan.--Subsection (e) includes language similar to the
prior year designating funding levels for Jordan. The Committee
recommendation includes not less than $1,525,000,000 for
assistance for Jordan. Funds for Jordan are allocated according
to the following table:
JORDAN
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance............................... $311,400
Economic Support Fund................................ 750,000
Global Health........................................ 21,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 13,600
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 4,000
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 425,000
------------------
Total............................................ 1,525,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee notes the importance of the relationship with
the Kingdom of Jordan and the strong leadership that Jordan
continues to play in advancing peace and stability in the
region. The Department of State should continue to support
critical economic aid and to provide the assistance needed to
ensure Jordan's success in coalition operations, including to
strengthen Jordan's borders with Iraq and Syria.
Lebanon.--Subsection (f) includes modifications to
consolidate prior year language, which does not represent a
change in policy. Funds made available under the heading
Foreign Military Financing Program for assistance for Lebanon
may only be made available to professionalize the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF) and to strengthen border security and combat
terrorism, including training and equipping the LAF to secure
Lebanon's borders, interdicting arms shipments, preventing the
use of Lebanon as a safe haven for terrorist groups, and to
implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Reports
Lebanon report.--The Committee continues to be concerned
about Hezbollah's growing influence within the Government of
Lebanon. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to submit
a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, on the extent of Hezbollah's
influence within such government, including the LAF, and what
steps are being taken to prevent the use of Lebanon as a safe
haven for terrorist groups, to implement United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1701, and to prevent the building
of cross-border tunnels into Israel and weapons factories
inside Lebanon.
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).--The
Committee is concerned by UNIFIL's ability to fulfill its
mandate in southern Lebanon to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces
in establishing an area free of any armed personnel, assets and
weapons other than those of the government and of UNIFIL. Not
later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Committee
directs the Secretary of State to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations assessing UNIFIL's efforts to
detect tunnels built by Hezbollah in the south of Lebanon and
the steps the Administration is taking to urge the Security
Council to sanction Hezbollah for violations of UNSCR 1701. The
report should also include an assessment of whether UNIFIL is
complying with its new requirement to increase its visible
presence in southern Lebanon and oversee the LAF's accelerated
deployment in southern Lebanon.
Libya.--Subsection (g) remains unchanged from prior year
language regarding monitoring, oversight, and control of any
funds. No funds shall be made available for Libya by this Act
unless the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Libya is
cooperating with U.S. efforts to investigate and bring to
justice those responsible for the attack on U.S. personnel and
facilities in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012.
Morocco.--Subsection (h) is similar to language carried in
the prior year.
Saudi Arabia.--Subsection (i) includes a new prohibition on
any funds made available by this Act from supporting the sale
of nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia.
Not later than 45 days after enactment of the Act, the
Committee directs the Secretary of State to submit a report,
which may be submitted in classified form and shall incorporate
relevant information from other Federal agencies, to the
appropriate congressional committees regarding the murder of
Jamal Khashoggi at the Consulate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2, 2018. The report shall
include a detailed assessment of the steps taken by (1) the
Government of Saudi Arabia to investigate and prosecute all
those responsible for ordering, carrying out, and covering up
such murder; and (2) the steps taken by Department of State to
address corruption and violation of human rights by individuals
within the Saudi government.
Syria.--Pursuant to subsection (j)(1), funding for non-
lethal assistance is limited to emergency medical and rescue
response and chemical weapons use investigations. Subsection
(j)(2) prohibits any funds from supporting or otherwise
legitimizing the government of Iran, the Government of the
Russian Federation, foreign terrorist organizations, or a proxy
of Iran, and states that funds should not be used in areas
controlled by the Assad government.
The Committee directs that funds shall be made available
for assistance to organizations in Syria, only on an open and
competitive basis, to continue to strengthen the capability of
Syrian civil society organizations to address the immediate and
long-term needs of the Syrian people in a manner that supports
the sustainability of such organizations in implementing
Syrian-led humanitarian and development programs. Such funds
shall be administered by the Bureau for Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor of the Department of State.
The Committee remains concerned about the lengthy
displacement of Syrians and the ongoing burden they face, as
well as the continued strain Syrian refugees are placing on
host communities. The Committee urges the Department of State
to continue to: (1) assist host countries to expand their
national systems to accommodate refugee needs; (2) increase
host country capacity to deliver basic services to their own
citizens; (3) strengthen the ability of local governments to
respond to the refugee influx; (4) employ policies and programs
to close gaps in distribution of need-based aid to at-risk
minority populations; and (5) ensure that refugees have freedom
of movement and meaningful access to economic opportunity.
Reports
Refugees.--The Committee is deeply concerned about the
safety of Syrian refugees who have returned, or may return, to
Syria, and directs the Department of State to submit a report
to the Committees on Appropriations 90 days after the enactment
of this Act, detailing the dangers Syrian refugees face and
what the United States, the UN, other nations, and
international partners can do to alleviate suffering and secure
the safety of returning refugees.
Humanitarian assistance.--The Committee directs USAID to
ensure humanitarian and other foreign assistance for Syrian
stabilization and reconstruction efforts be focused in
democratic Syria or areas of Syria not under the Assad regime's
control. The Secretary of State and USAID Administrator shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees not
later than 45 days after enactment of this Act, containing a
detailed assessment on the delivery of humanitarian assistance
to Syria, which shall include the following: (1) the challenges
of access to areas of Syria controlled by the Government of
Syria or associated forces for purposes of providing United
States humanitarian assistance, including assistance funded
through multilateral institutions and international
governmental organizations; (2) where such United States
humanitarian assistance has been able to be delivered in such
areas; (3) a description of where such United States
humanitarian assistance has been denied access in such areas;
(4) how the United States Government is working to improve
access to such areas; (5) the roles and responsibilities of
United States allies and partners and other countries in the
region in ensuring access to such areas; (6) how such United
States humanitarian assistance and implementing partners of
such assistance are monitored and evaluated; (7) the major
challenges that the United States faces in monitoring such
United States humanitarian assistance and how the United States
is working to overcome such challenges; and (8) the strategy of
the United States to deliver humanitarian assistance to areas
of Syria controlled by the Government of Syria or associated
forces and in which the Government of Syria or associated
forces is impeding access to such areas.
Tunisia.--Subsection (k) includes language carried in the
prior year related to funding levels for Tunisia. Funds for
Tunisia are allocated according to the following table:
TUNISIA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance............................... $40,000
Economic Support Fund................................ 45,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 13,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 6,100
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 2,300
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 85,000
------------------
Total............................................ 191,400
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee notes that a stable and viable democratic
Tunisia is critical to regional security supports the
government of Tunisia's efforts to continue improving the
security situation in the country, democratic governance, and
economic reform.
Western Sahara.--The Committee supports the United Nation's
efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict in an equitable,
peaceful, and diplomatic manner.
Yemen.--Subsection (l) continues prior year language
permitting funds under the heading Economic Support Fund to be
made available for stabilization assistance for Yemen.
Reports
Humanitarian needs.--The Committee remains concerned about
the significant humanitarian needs in Yemen and the lack of
consistent access to allow relief to be provided. Not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, in consultation with the USAID Administrator, shall
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations that
addresses delivery of humanitarian assistance, including access
for humanitarian organizations to deliver assistance; the
capacity of Yemeni ports to receive commercial and humanitarian
goods; and the conditions required to transition from
humanitarian assistance to longer-term development assistance.
The Committee also recognizes the importance of fuel to
alleviating the humanitarian crisis, including access into all
Red Sea Ports, which are critical lifelines for the Yemeni
population.
Section 7042 (Africa) includes language modified from the
prior year regarding assistance for Africa. The Committee
acknowledges that global development, diplomacy, and defense
are pertinent to protecting United States national security and
advancing United States policy toward Africa and notes the
important role the countries of Africa play with respect to
global security and stability. The Committee also recognizes
that the underlying causes of instability and conflict in the
region, including extreme poverty, poor health, food
insecurity, climate change, and environmental degradation, are
critical areas for United States involvement through foreign
assistance. The Committee reaffirms that sustainable
development, economic growth, human rights, and humanitarian
assistance in Africa are important to national security
interests of the United States and remain critical investments
in the prosperity and security throughout the continent. The
Secretary of State should prioritize issues affecting the
future of these countries and ensure adequate diplomatic and
assistance resources are made available to support the
continent with democracy, governance, and development
assistance.
Africa counterterrorism.--The Committee continues to
support African counterterrorism initiatives such as the
Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism and the
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership.
Boko Haram.--The Committee notes with concern the ongoing
attacks on civilians by Boko Haram. The Committee encourages
USAID to address the unique needs of these victims, especially
women and girls, in its programming and assist in their
reintegration into communities. Funds made available in this
Act for Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria should support
counterterrorism programs, specifically to combat Boko Haram
and other violent extremist organizations. The Committee also
encourages continued support for development, democracy,
health, and governance activities in these countries as
effective strategies to counter violent extremism.
Central African Republic.--The Committee directs the
Department of State and USAID to make funds available for
reconciliation and peacebuilding programs in the Central
African Republic, including activities to promote inter-faith
dialogue and to prevent crimes against humanity.
Counter Lord's Resistance Army.--The Committee directs the
Department of State to make funds available for programs and
activities in areas affected by the Lord's Resistance Army
(LRA) consistent with the goals of the Lord's Resistance Army
Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 (Public
Law 111-172). Despite recent arrests of LRA commanders, the
Committee is concerned about continued attacks and child
abductions as well as safe havens for the LRA in Sudan and the
Central African Republic.
South Sudan.--Pursuant to subsection (d), funds shall be
made available for the central government of South Sudan only
for the following purposes: (1) humanitarian assistance; (2)
health programs; (3) assistance to support peace negotiations
or advance or implement a peace agreement; or (4) assistance to
support implementation of outstanding issues of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement and mutual arrangements related
to such agreement.
Sudan.--The limitations in subsection (e) shall not apply
to humanitarian assistance; assistance for democracy programs;
assistance for the Darfur region, Southern Kordofan State, Blue
Nile State, Abeyei, or other marginalized areas and populations
in Sudan; or assistance to implement outstanding issues of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, mutual arrangements related to
post-referendum issues, or any other internationally recognized
viable peace agreement in Sudan.
Zimbabwe.--The Committee directs the Secretary of the
Treasury to instruct the United States executive director of
each IFI to vote against any extension 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.
Section 7043 (East Asia and the Pacific) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding limitations and
directives on assistance and authorities for diplomatic and
development activities and programs in East Asia and the
Pacific.
Burma.--Pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B), funds in this Act
for assistance to Burma: (1) may not be made available to any
individual or organization if the Secretary of State holds
credible information that such individual or organization has
committed a gross violation of human rights, including against
Rohingya and other minority groups, or that advocates violence
against ethnic or religious groups or individuals in Burma; (2)
may not be made available to any organization or entity
controlled by the armed forces of Burma; (3) may only be made
available for programs to support the return of Rohingya,
Karen, and other refugees and internally displaced persons to
their location of origin or preference in Burma if such returns
are voluntary and consistent with international law; and (4)
may only be made available to support the implementation of
Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement conferences, committees, and
other procedures if the Secretary of State reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that such procedures are directed
towards a sustainable peace and the Government of Burma is
implementing its commitments under such Agreement.
Funds made available by this Act for Burma shall be made
available for: (1) to strengthen civil society organizations
and independent media; (2) to support community-based
organizations operating in Thailand that provide humanitarian
assistance to internally displaced persons in eastern Burma and
to Burmese refugees from funds made available under the heading
Migration and Refugee Assistance; (3) to promote ethnic and
religious tolerance and combat gender-based violence in
Rakhine, Shan, Kachin, and Karen states; (4) to promote rural
economic development including through microfinance programs;
(5) to increase opportunities for foreign direct investment by
strengthening rule of law, transparency, and accountability;
(6) to investigate and document allegations of ethnic cleansing
and other gross human rights violations committed against the
Rohingya people in Rakhine state; and (7) to investigate and
document allegations of gross violations of human rights in
Burma, particularly in areas of conflict.
The Committee expects that any new programs and activities
initiated in fiscal year 2020 in Burma shall be subject to
prior consultation with the appropriate congressional
committees. The United States Chief of Mission in Burma, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor at the Department of State, shall be
responsible for democracy and human rights programs in Burma.
The Committee is concerned about the repeated assaults on
freedom of the press in Burma and supports assistance for
programs to strengthen independent media.
Report
Violations of human rights.--The Committee directs the
Secretary of State to provide to the appropriate congressional
committees, not later than 45 days after the enactment of this
Act, a report describing allegations of ethnic cleansing,
crimes against humanity, and genocide in Burma.
Cambodia.--Pursuant to subsection (b)(1), funds shall not
be made available for the Government of Cambodia unless the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that such Government is: (1) strengthening
regional security and stability, particularly regarding
territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the enforcement
of international sanctions on North Korea; (2) dismissing any
politically motivated criminal charges against those who
criticize the government; (3) ceasing violence and harassment
against civil society organizations including political
opposition entities; and (4) respecting the rights and
responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution of the Kingdom
of Cambodia as enacted in 1993, which include restoring the
civil and political rights of the opposition Cambodia National
Rescue party, media, and civil society organizations; restoring
all elected officials to elected offices held prior to the July
2018 parliamentary elections; and releasing all political
prisoners, including journalists, civil society activists, and
members of the opposition political party.
Pursuant to subsection (b)(2), funds shall be made
available for: (1) democracy programs, including research and
education programs associated with the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia,
except that no funds may be made available to the Extraordinary
Chambers in the Court of Cambodia and (2) programs in the Khmer
language to counter the influence of the People's Republic of
China in Cambodia.
Report
Visa restriction.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State, not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, to
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
describing the implementation of the visa restriction policy.
Indo-Pacific Strategy.--The Committee recommendation
provides that $160,000,000 shall be available to support the
Indo-Pacific Strategy. Such funds are in addition to amounts
otherwise made available for countries and programs in the
region. The Committee believes that the United States is an
enduring Pacific power, and preserving a free and open Indo-
Pacific is a core interest of the United States.
The Committee directs that funds under the headings
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement;
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs; International Military Education and Training; and
Foreign Military Financing Program in this Act be made
available for countries and programs in this region at not less
than the fiscal year 2019 level.
North Korea.--The Committee notes that the limitation in
subsection (d)(1) shall also apply to the payment or
reimbursement of the Government of North Korea for any costs
associated with the unlawful detention of American citizens in
North Korea.
The Committee directs that the Secretary of State shall
report to the appropriate congressional committees if the
Secretary has credible information that a government receiving
assistance by this Act is currently contributing materially to
the malicious cyber-intrusion capabilities of the Government of
North Korea. Additionally, the Secretary 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), as amended, to the Committees on Appropriations in the
manner described in subparagraph (2)(A) of such section.
The Committee encourages the Special Envoy for North Korean
Human Rights Issues to consult with officials of South Korea on
potential opportunities, including through various media, to
reunite divided Korean American families with family members in
North Korea.
People's Republic of China (PRC).--The Committee remains
concerned by the repressive policies and intimidation tactics
used by the Chinese government against Uighur Muslims in the
Xinjiang Autonomous region of China. The Committee urges the
Secretary of State to increase diplomatic efforts towards
addressing basic human rights of Uighur Muslims in the PRC.
Confucius Institutes.--The Committee encourages the
Secretary of State to coordinate with the Department of Justice
to determine whether Chinese nationals associated with
Confucius Institutes operating on American university and
college campuses qualify as foreign agents working on behalf of
the Government of the PRC.
Report
5G network.--The Committee is concerned by the PRC's
efforts to dominate the 5G global market and directs the
Department of State, in consultation with USAID, the DFC, and
other relevant agencies, to submit to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than 90 days after enactment of this
Act, a coordinated strategy with allies and partners to provide
alternatives to Chinese-financed telecommunication technology.
Philippines.--The Committee continues to direct the
Department of State to strictly monitor United States
assistance, including funding provided under the headings
Foreign Military Financing and International Narcotics Control
and Law Enforcement, made available for the Philippines with
respect to human rights, abuses or violence against journalists
or human rights activists, and the accountability and
professionalism of security forces personnel.
Report
Security forces.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State to submit, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, a report assessing the extent to which the Armed Forces of
the Philippines and the Philippines National Police are
respecting human rights and the rule of law.
Section 7044 (South and Central Asia) includes language
modified from the prior year containing limitations,
directives, and authorities for diplomatic and development
activities and programs in South and Central Asia and for
regional programs.
Afghanistan.--The Committee directs that funds appropriated
by this Act under the headings Development Assistance, Economic
Support Fund, Global Health Programs, and International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement that are made available
for assistance for Afghanistan: (1) shall be made available to
implement the South Asia Strategy, the Revised Strategy for
United States Engagement in Afghanistan, and the United States
Agency for International Development Country Development
Cooperation Strategy for Afghanistan; (2) shall be made
available for programs that protect and strengthen the rights
of women and girls and promote the political and economic
empowerment of women, including their meaningful inclusion in
political processes, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention,
through grants to local Afghan women's organizations to the
maximum extent possible; and (3) may not be made available for
any program, project, or activity that--
(a) cannot be sustained, as appropriate, by the
Government of Afghanistan or another Afghan entity;
(b) is not accessible for the purposes of conducting
effective oversight in accordance with applicable
Federal statutes and regulations;
(c) initiates any new, major infrastructure
development; or
(d) includes the participation of any Afghan
individual, organization, or government entity if the
Secretary of State has credible information that such
individual, organization, or entity is knowingly
involved in acts of grand corruption, illicit narcotics
production or trafficking, or has committed a gross
violation of human rights.
The authority referenced in section 7044(a)(1)(B) shall not
be exercised unless the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the USAID Administrator, reports to the Committees on
Appropriations that: (1) adequate financial controls and
oversight are in place, including monitoring of project
implementation and resource disbursements in all parts of the
country; and (2) that the recipient has established regular,
transparent, and comprehensive reporting procedures regarding
the use of United States assistance.
The Committee supports programs that will help achieve a
stable and self-reliant Afghanistan, including economic
assistance through private enterprise. The Committee notes the
potential for economic growth from Afghanistan's natural
resources and encourages funding be made available for
activities that will result in investment from the private
sector.
The Committee notes the ongoing negotiations in Afghanistan
and directs the Secretary of State to ensure the meaningful
inclusion of Afghan women in the peace process and to
prioritize the rights of women and girls in any political
settlement with the Taliban.
Reports
Personnel.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State to
submit a report, in classified form if necessary, not later
than 30 days after enactment of this Act and every 120 days
thereafter until September 30, 2021, to the Committees on
Appropriations detailing by agency the number of personnel
present in Afghanistan under COM authority per section 3927 of
title 22, United States Code, at the end of the 120 day period
preceding the submission of such report. The report shall also
include the number of locally employed staff and contractors
supporting United States Embassy operations in Afghanistan
during the reporting period.
Peace negotiations.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State to submit a report, in classified form if necessary, not
later than 30 days after enactment of this Act and every 60
days thereafter, to the Committees on Appropriations detailing
the status of peace negotiations with the Taliban. Such report
shall contain information regarding impacts to foreign
assistance programs and the presence of diplomatic and
development personnel in Afghanistan.
SIVs.--The Committee recommendation includes continued
support for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and
directs the Secretary of State to submit a report, not later
than 45 days after enactment of this Act, to the Committees on
Appropriations on the status of such program and the
Department's progress on meeting the conditions as described in
section 7076(b) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2019.
Bangladesh.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State
and USAID Administrator to prioritize humanitarian assistance
to help displaced Rohingya who have fled from Burma to
Bangladesh.
The Committee directs that funds made available by this Act
for assistance for Bangladesh include programs to improve labor
conditions in readymade garment, shrimp, and fish industries.
Reports
Human rights.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State
to submit a report, not later than 45 days after the enactment
of this Act, to the Committees on Appropriations on the extent
to which the Government of Bangladesh is supporting human
rights; implementing policies to protect freedom of expression,
association, and religion, and due process of law; and ensuring
free, fair, and participatory elections.
2018 election.--The Committee directs the Secretary of
State, in consultation with the USAID Administrator, to submit
a report to the Committees on Appropriations, not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act, regarding the allegations of
abuses during the December 2018 national elections and the
impact of USAID programs to support open, democratic processes
and human rights in Bangladesh.
Pakistan.--The Committee directs that none of the funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading Foreign Military
Financing Program for assistance for Pakistan may be made
available except to support counterterrorism and
counterinsurgency capabilities in Pakistan.
Not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, and
prior to the submission of the report required by section
653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Secretary of
State shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations on
the amount of funds appropriated by this Act under the heading
Foreign Military Financing Program that is subject to the
January 2018 policy decision to suspend security assistance to
Pakistan, or any subsequent policy decision affecting such
assistance.
The Committee notes that 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 for assistance for Pakistan
that are withheld from obligation or expenditure may be
reprogrammed, except that no such funds may be reprogrammed
that are required to complete payment on existing and
previously approved contracts. The Committee further directs
that such reprogramming should only be available for the region
originally appropriated and that such reprogrammings shall be
subject to the regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
The Committee recommendation includes funding under the
heading International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement for
border security programs in Pakistan, following consultation
with the Committees on Appropriations.
Funds appropriated by this Act under the headings Economic
Support Fund and Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and
Related Programs that are made available for assistance for
Pakistan shall be made available to interdict precursor
materials from Pakistan to Afghanistan that are used to
manufacture improvised explosive devices and for agriculture
extension programs that encourage alternative fertilizer use
among Pakistani farmers to decrease the dual use of fertilizer
in the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices.
The Committee recommendation includes funds appropriated by
titles III and IV of this Act for programs to promote democracy
in Pakistan.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State to take all
practicable steps to ensure that mechanisms are in place for
monitoring, oversight, and control of funds made available for
assistance for Pakistan and inform the Committees on
Appropriations of such steps in a timely manner.
Report
Cooperation with United States.--The Committee directs that
prior to the obligation of funds made available by this Act for
assistance for the central Government of Pakistan, the
Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees detailing: (1) the amount of financing
and other support, if any, provided by the Government of
Pakistan to schools supported by, affiliated with, or run by
the Taliban or any domestic or foreign terrorist organization
in Pakistan; (2) the extent of cooperation by such government
in issuing visas in a timely manner for United States visitors,
including officials and representatives of nongovernmental
organizations, engaged in assistance and security programs in
Pakistan; (3) the extent to which such government is providing
humanitarian organizations access to detainees, internally
displaced persons, and other Pakistani civilians affected by
conflict in Pakistan and the region; and (4) the extent to
which such government is strengthening democracy in Pakistan,
including protecting freedom of expression, assembly, and
religion.
Sri Lanka.--The Committee is concerned about the recent
constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, allegations of torture, and
lack of progress on fulfilling UN commitments. Pursuant to
subsection (c)(1), the Secretary of State shall report and
certify to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government
of Sri Lanka is taking the following actions: (1) repealing
laws that do not comply with international standards for arrest
and detention by security forces, and ensuring that any
successor legislation meets such standards; (2) increasing
accountability and transparency in governance; (3)
investigating allegations of arbitrary arrest and torture, and
supporting a credible justice mechanism in compliance with
United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HCR/RES/30/1)
of October 2015; (4) returning military occupied lands in
former conflict zones to their rightful owners or compensating
those whose land was confiscated without due process, and which
is in addition to steps taken during the previous calendar
year; (5) resourcing a functioning office of missing persons
and assisting its investigations of cases of missing persons
from Sri Lanka's internal armed conflicts with the cooperation
of the armed forces of Sri Lanka; and (6) substantially
reducing the presence of the armed forces in former conflict
zones and implementing a plan for restructuring the armed
forces to adopt a peacetime role that contributes to post-
conflict reconciliation and regional security.
The Committee recommendation includes funds appropriated
under the headings Development Assistance and Economic Support
Fund for economic development and democracy programs,
particularly in areas recovering from ethnic and religious
conflict in Sri Lanka. Such funds shall be made available for
programs to assist in the identification and resolution of
cases of missing persons and to support the Sri Lankan
parliament. The Committee directs that programming for Sri
Lanka shall be subject to the regular notification procedures
of the Committees on Appropriations.
The Committee notes the terror attack of April 2019.
Consistent with the broader Indo-Pacific Strategy, the
Committee directs the Department of State to review appropriate
tools for security cooperation with Sri Lanka.
Regional programs.--The Committee recommendation supports
border stabilization and development programs between
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and between either country and the
Central Asian countries.
The Committee directs that funds appropriated by this Act
that are made available for assistance for countries in South
and Central Asia shall be made available to accelerate the
recruitment and enhance the retention and professionalism of
women in the judiciary, police, and other security forces.
Section 7045 (Latin America and the Caribbean) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding programs and
funding for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Central America.--The United States Strategy for Engagement
in Central America (Strategy) was released following the
migration crises at the southwest border of the United States
in 2014. The Department of State, Foreign Operations and
Related Programs Appropriations Acts, 2016, 2017, 2018, and
2019 each designated funding for support of the Strategy and
the countries of Central America. Subsection (a) of this Act
provides that not less than $540,850,000 shall be made
available for assistance for countries in Central America to
implement the Strategy. Such funds are allocated according to
the following table:
ASSISTANCE FOR CENTRAL AMERICA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country/Program/Activity Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance:
El Salvador...................................... $55,035
Guatemala........................................ 93,000
Honduras......................................... 75,000
Nicaragua........................................ 10,000
of which, Democracy and Rule of Law.......... 10,000
------------------
Subtotal, Development Assistance............. 233,035
Economic Support Fund:
State Western Hemisphere Regional
of which, Central America Regional Security 100,000
Initiative (CARSI)..........................
[of which, Combating Gender-based Violence].. [10,000]
------------------
Subtotal, Economic Support Fund.............. 100,000
Inter-American Foundation............................ 10,000
Foreign Military Financing Program:
Costa Rica....................................... 7,500
Guatemala........................................ 0
Honduras......................................... 0
State Western Hemisphere Regional................ 5,000
------------------
Subtotal, Foreign Military Financing Program. 12,500
Global Health Programs-USAID:
Guatemala........................................ 13,000
------------------
Subtotal, Global Health Programs-USAID:...... 13,000
International Military Education and Training:
Costa Rica....................................... 725
Other Central America............................ 3,290
------------------
Subtotal, International Military Education 4,015
and Training................................
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement:
State Western Hemisphere Regional:
of which, Central America Regional Security 167,800
Initiative (CARSI)..........................
[Attorneys General & other activities to [45,000]
combat corruption and impunity].........
[Costa Rica]............................. [32,500]
[DNA Forensic Assistance]................ [8,000]
------------------
Subtotal, International Narcotics Control and 167,800
Law Enforcement.............................
------------------
Subtotal--CARSI (non-add).................... [257,800]
Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related
Programs:
Panama........................................... 500
------------------
Subtotal, Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, 500
Demining and Related Program................
------------------
Total, Central America....................... 540,850
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(A), not less than $45,000,000
of the funds made available for assistance for the countries of
Central America shall be made available for support of
Attorneys General and other activities to combat corruption and
impunity in such countries. Such funds shall be prioritized for
improving the functioning of criminal justice systems,
including through: (1) contributions to international
commissions against impunity; (2) support for civil society,
including exchanges with civil society transparency experts
from other countries in the region; (3) training for
journalists; (4) embedding U.S. law enforcement personnel
within the public prosecutor's office; and (5) technical
assistance to develop and implement justice sector reforms.
Within the funds provided, the recommendation includes not
less than $1,000,000 for support of the National Commission for
the Search of Persons Disappeared during the Armed Conflict in
El Salvador.
Pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A), 50 percent of the
assistance for each of the central governments of El Salvador,
Guatemala, and Honduras, made available under title IV of this
Act shall be withheld from obligation until the Secretary of
State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such
government is: (1) cooperating with commissions against
corruption and impunity and with regional human rights
entities; (2) supporting programs to reduce poverty, expand
education and vocational training for at-risk youth, create
jobs, and promote equitable economic growth, particularly in
areas contributing to large numbers of migrants; (3)
implementing tax reforms, including whether the government is
implementing tax reforms that increase government revenue and
transparency in the tax collection system, and strengthening
customs agencies; (4) combating corruption, including
investigating and prosecuting current and former government
officials credibly alleged to be corrupt; (5) implementing
reforms, policies, and programs to increase transparency and
strengthen public institutions and the rule of law, including
increasing the capacity and independence of the judiciary and
the Office of the Attorney General; (6) working cooperatively
with an autonomous, publicly accountable entity to provide
oversight of the Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the
Northern Triangle in Central America (the Plan); (7) working
with local communities, civil society organizations (including
indigenous and other marginalized groups), and local
governments in the implementation and evaluation of activities
of the Plan; (8) creating a professional, accountable civilian
police force and ending the role of the military in internal
policing; (9) combating human smuggling and trafficking; (10)
protecting the right of political opposition parties and other
members of civil society to operate without interference; (11)
informing its citizens of the dangers of the journey to the
southwest border of the United States; (12) improving border
security, including preventing illegal migration, human
smuggling and trafficking, and trafficking of illicit drugs and
other contraband; (13) cooperating with United States
Government agencies and other governments in the region to
facilitate the return, repatriation, and reintegration of
illegal migrants arriving at the southwest border of the United
States who do not qualify for asylum, consistent with
international law; (14) countering the activities of criminal
gangs, drug traffickers, and transnational criminal
organizations; (15) investigating and prosecuting in the
civilian justice system government personnel who are credibly
alleged to have violated human rights; and (16) resolving
commercial disputes, including but not limited to the
confiscation of real property and the timely payment of amounts
owed to United States entities.
In the event the Secretary of State is unable to make one
or more of the certifications required above, subsection
(a)(2)(B) permits the Secretary of State to reprogram such
assistance to other countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean, subject to the regular notification procedures of
the Committees on Appropriations.
No funds were requested, and the Committee recommendation
includes no funds, under the heading Foreign Military Financing
Program for assistance for either Guatemala or Honduras.
The Committee recommendation includes not less than
$10,000,000 for programs in Northern Triangle countries to
combat gender-based violence, including to: (1) create and
expand primary and secondary school-based sexual and gender-
based violence (SGBV) prevention programming; (2) enhance the
capacity of police, judicial systems, and child protection
systems to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases of SGBV
through increased personnel, equipment, geographic coverage,
and training; and (3) create and expand locally available
medical, mental health, and legal services, and shelters for
survivors of SGBV in both rural and urban areas.
Spend plan.--The Committee is concerned about the length of
time it has taken in prior years for the Department of State to
submit the spend plan required for assistance for Central
America and take the other steps necessary to obligate funds in
a timely manner, particularly with respect to funds not subject
to the withholding pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A). The
Committee directs the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to submit such spend plan within 45 days of
enactment of this Act.
The Committee recommendation maintains the special
notification requirement for assistance for El Salvador,
Guatemala, and Honduras and directs that such notifications:
(1) indicate whether funds will support current or new
programs, the central government of such country, or an
international financial institution; (2) describe the cost-
matching arrangements; and (3) describe how programs align with
the Strategy and the plan for monitoring and evaluation,
including the program and context indicators for each program
described in the notification.
The Committee notes that in order to incentivize and
attract foreign investment, Northern Triangle countries must
aggressively combat corruption and impunity and work to create
a positive business climate that enforces the rule of law and
respects due process. The Committee encourages business groups
in the United States and Northern Triangle countries to
contribute to these efforts and encourages them to pursue their
goals of strengthening the economies through a commitment
towards economic growth, entrepreneurship, investments,
fighting corruption, job creation, and the reduction of
migration, malnutrition, and poverty.
Funds provided under the heading Development Assistance for
rural development programs should include support for small
scale and subsistence farmers, with attention to women's access
to credit, building local markets and increasing local
capacity.
Costa Rica.--The Committee recommendation includes
$40,725,000 for assistance for Costa Rica.
Nicaragua.--The Committee recommendation does not include
funds under title IV of this Act for Nicaragua. Any funding
provided for Nicaragua in this Act should be made available for
programs that promote democracy and the rule of law. No funds
are provided for the central government of Nicaragua. The
Committee notes that funds for Nicaragua are subject to the
notification requirements of section 7015 of this Act.
El Salvador.--The Committee directs the Secretary of State
to work with the relevant Federal departments and agencies to,
as appropriate, assist the judicial authorities of El Salvador
in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for
the El Mozote massacre, including the identification and
provision of related documents, correspondence, reproductions
of Salvadoran documents, and other similar materials from
January 1981 to January 1983.
Reports
CARSI.--Not later than 45 days after the enactment of this
Act, the Committee directs the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the USAID Administrator, to provide to the
Committees on Appropriations a report on the uses of all funds
provided for CARSI on a country-by-country basis for each
program, project, and activity for fiscal years 2010 through
2019, and integrate such information into the
ForeignAssistance.gov website, as appropriate.
Strategy for natural protected areas.--Much of the Northern
Triangle's international borders are contained within or
contiguous with natural protected areas, which are threatened
by illegal activities and weak state presence. The Committee
directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID
Administrator, other relevant federal agency heads, as well as
local authorities, community organizations and non-governmental
organizations, to develop a comprehensive strategy to
strengthen security and governance in these areas, including in
the Mosqitia Forest of Honduras and the Maya Forest of
Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico. Such strategy should focus on:
conservation protection and rule of law; addresses illegal
cattle ranching and smuggling as a driver of deforestation;
increase the presence in border forest areas of investigatory,
prosecutorial and judicial authorities; support continued field
research in wildlife conservation and archaeology; spark
economic growth through tourism; and strengthen solutions to
sustainable development, including sustainable natural resource
management in partnership with indigenous and local
communities. The Secretary of State shall report to the
Committees on Appropriations on the strategy and the steps
taken to implement such strategy not later than 180 days
following enactment of this Act.
Monitoring and evaluation.--The Committee directs the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the USAID
Administrator, to review and update the plan for monitoring and
evaluation of assistance in support of the United States
Strategy for Engagement in Central America and to issue a
progress report with results not later than October 30, 2020.
Such review shall examine the programs, stakeholders, metrics
and local factors that accelerate or impede success. The report
should be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees
and posted to the Department of State and USAID websites. In
developing the updated monitoring and evaluation metrics, the
Secretary shall consult relevant federal agencies,
implementers, and other stakeholders.
Colombia.--The Committee recognizes the longstanding
partnership between the United States and Colombia. The
Committee acknowledges the strategic importance of Colombia and
notes the improvements made in the everyday lives of the
Colombian people over the last two decades. The Committee looks
forward to the continued partnership and to building on the
progress made in recent years with adoption of the peace
accords. The accords, coupled with a renewed commitment to
combating illicit crop cultivation and narcotics trafficking,
offers great hope for Colombia's economic, social, and
political stability.
The Committee recommendation includes not less than
$457,253,000 for assistance for Colombia, of which not less
than $207,328,000 is from funds under the headings Development
Assistance and Economic Support Fund and shall be apportioned
directly to USAID. Such funds are allocated according to the
following table:
COLOMBIA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account/Program Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance:.............................. $61,000
Economic Support Fund:............................... 146,328
of which, Afro-Colombian and indigenous 25,000
communities.....................................
of which, Human rights........................... 12,500
of which, Colombian Representative of the U.N. 1,500
High Commissioner for Human Rights..............
of which, National Unit to Search for Disappeared 300
Persons.........................................
of which, Commission of the Clarification of 500
Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition...........
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement:. 189,000
of which, Rule of Law and Human Rights........... 51,000
[Justice Sector Institutional Strengthening & [22,400]
Reform].....................................
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 21,000
Related Programs:...................................
International Military Education and Training:....... 1,400
Foreign Military Financing Program:.................. 38,525
------------------
Total, Colombia.............................. 457,253
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to subsection (b)(1), funds appropriated under
titles III and IV of this Act and made available for assistance
for Colombia shall be made available for programs and
activities that support the efforts of the Government of
Colombia to: (1) assist communities impacted by significant
refugee and migrant populations; (2) implement the Colombian
peace accords, including assistance for expanding the presence
of civilian institutions in rural areas; (3) promote economic
and social development, including by improving access to areas
impacted by conflict through demining programs; (4) strengthen
and expand governance, the rule of law, access to justice, and
respect for human rights throughout Colombia; (5) conduct a
unified campaign against narcotics trafficking, organizations
designated as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1189), and other criminal or illegal armed groups; and (6)
enhance security and stability in Colombia and the region.
The Committee recommendation provides $189,000,000 under
the heading International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
for assistance for Colombia. Within that amount, the Committee
recommendation provides not less than $51,000,000 for rule of
law and human rights activities, of which not less than
$6,500,000 is for support of key Colombian entities responsible
for investigating and prosecuting human rights violations,
including support for the relevant units of the Office of
Attorney General, such as the Human Rights Unit, the Special
Unit for the Dismantling of Organizations and Criminal Conduct
Responsible for Homicides and Massacres, and regional
prosecutors.
Furthermore, the Committee recommendation includes funding
for support of Colombian civil society, truth and
reconciliation programs, victims support, the protection of
human rights defenders and other vulnerable groups,
peacebuilding, and verification of the implementation of the
peace accords. The Committee is particularly concerned over the
growing number of murders, assaults, and threats against human
rights defenders and social leaders and directs the Department
of State to place a high priority on support of programs and
activities that improve their protection, foster the
prosecution of the perpetrators, including intellectual
architects, and facilitate the dismantling of structures that
perpetuate violence against civilians.
Pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(A), 20 percent of the funds
appropriated under the heading Foreign Military Financing
Program and made available for assistance for Colombia may be
obligated only after the Secretary of State certifies and
reports to the Committees on Appropriations that: (1) the
Special Jurisdiction for Peace and other judicial authorities
are taking effective steps to hold accountable perpetrators of
gross violations of human rights in a manner consistent with
international law, including for command responsibility; (2)
the government of Colombia is taking effective steps to
dismantle illegal armed groups and to reduce threats and
attacks against human rights defenders and other civil society
activists, Afro-Colombian and indigenous community leaders,
trade unionists, and journalists, and judicial authorities are
making quantifiable strides in effectively prosecuting those
responsible for such threats and attacks; (3) the government of
Colombia is taking effective steps to protect Afro-Colombian
and indigenous communities and is respecting their rights and
territory; and (4) senior military officers responsible for
ordering, committing, and covering up cases of false positives
are being held accountable, including removal from active duty
if found guilty through criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
Countering illicit crop cultivation.--The Committee
supports Colombia's efforts to counter illicit crop cultivation
and narcotics trafficking, enhance security and stability,
strengthen and expand governance and access to services, and
establish a lasting and durable peace. However, the Committee
remains concerned about the record levels of coca production
and trafficking and the continued violence associated with the
drug trade. Pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B), 20 percent of the
funds appropriated under the heading International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement and made available for assistance
for Colombia may only be made available after the Secretary of
State certifies and reports to the Committees on Appropriations
that the Government of Colombia has reduced overall illicit
drug cultivation and trafficking. The report to accompany such
certification shall include metrics and related information to
support such certification. The report also shall include
information regarding progress in dismantling drug trafficking
networks and assisting farmers in eradicating and sustainably
replacing coca as agreed to in the peace accords.
Furthermore, the Committee urges the Secretary of State to
ensure that eradication programs be designed and executed in
compliance with any requirements of the Constitutional Court of
Colombia and within the framework and provisions of the peace
accords, including ensuring that basic needs of communities are
addressed, such as land titling, food security, and the
establishment of a lasting and responsive state presence in
coca-growing zones.
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID
Administrator, shall continue to submit a multi-year spend plan
in a manner consistent with prior year requirements.
Report
Colombia reforestation.--The Committee is concerned about
increasing deforestation in Colombia's Amazon region. The
Committee requests the USAID Administrator to review and
support the Government of Colombia's efforts to further
reforestation programs and develop a plan with a timeline to
effectively address the complex factors that support Colombia
reforestation. Not later than 45 days after enactment of the
Act, the Administrator shall report to the Committees on
Appropriations on the plan, including factors that accelerate
success and those that impede progress, the portion of
assistance for Colombia that supports such activities, and the
resource requirements to implement such plan.
Cuba.--The Committee recommendation includes $20,000,000
under the heading Economic Support Fund for support of
democracy building, human rights, and civil society initiatives
in Cuba.
Report
Strategy.--The Committee notes recent diplomatic and policy
changes regarding the United States' economic relationship with
Cuba. The Committee directs the Secretary of State to submit to
the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 90
days after enactment of this Act, a clear and concise strategy
for providing certainty for United States businesses legally
operating in Cuba, consistent with the shared objective of
avoiding negative impacts on American businesses. The strategy
should include: (1) how the Department of State intends to
ensure that engagement between the United States and Cuba
advances the interests of the United States and the Cuban
people, including encouraging the growth of a Cuban private
sector independent of government control, as stated in National
Security Presidential Memorandum-5; (2) the impact of the
United States Embassy Havana staff reduction on embassy
operations, including visa processing; and (3) a timeline for
the safe return of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Havana to
previous levels.
Haiti.--Pursuant to subsection (c), funds are withheld for
assistance for the central Government of Haiti unless the
Secretary of State certifies and reports that the Government of
Haiti is taking the following steps: (1) strengthening the rule
of law including by transparently selecting judges based on
merit, reducing pre-trial detention, respecting the
independence of the judiciary, and implementing reforms to
increase transparency and accountability including through the
penal and criminal code; (2) combating corruption including by
implementing the 2014 anti-corruption law and prosecuting
corrupt officials; (3) increasing government revenues,
including through tax reforms, and increasing expenditures on
public services; and (4) resolving commercial disputes between
U.S. entities and the government of Haiti.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to expedite the release of funds designated to
support the multi-party trust fund to assist communities in
Haiti affected by cholera pursuant to section 7058(d)(1)(C) of
Public Law 115-141.
The Committee is greatly concerned by civil unrest in
Haiti. The Committee expects the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to support dialogue aimed at resolving the
political crisis and ensuring that upcoming elections are
transparent and inclusive. The Committee is especially
concerned about the incidents in November 2018 in La Saline,
including alleged human rights abuses and the burning of homes
in the area. The Committee encourages the Government of Haiti
to address the real grievances in the country, including access
to housing. The Committee encourages the provision of technical
support for thorough and independent investigations into both
the allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
The Committee is concerned with the lack of border security
between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which undermines
legitimate trade, fosters instability, and inhibits efforts to
regenerate markets and provide foreign assistance. The
Committee provides sufficient resources and encourages USAID to
increase the capacity of Haiti's customs operations to improve
transparency and reduce corruption. The Committee urges the
Secretary of State to work with the Governments of Haiti and
the Dominican Republic to develop a strategy for enhancing
border security, including through assistance provided for such
countries under this Act, and keep the Committees on
Appropriations informed on its development.
Mexico.--The Committee recommendation provides $145,000,000
for assistance for Mexico. Such funds are allocated according
to the following table.
MEXICO
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development Assistance............................... $10,000
Economic Support Fund................................ 35,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 91,840
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 1,160
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 2,000
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 5,000
------------------
Total, Mexico.................................... 145,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds made available under the heading Economic Support
Fund for assistance for Mexico should support justice reform,
promote good governance, promote human rights, implement crime
and violence prevention programs, and facilitate United States-
Mexico trade and investment. The Committee recognizes that the
United States and Mexico face difficult challenges in securing
our shared border while also facilitating the efficient flow of
commerce and trade. The Committee believes that efforts to
address these challenges could be strengthened through the
development of common or complementary approaches in areas of
mutual interest such as border security and law enforcement.
The Committee encourages the Department of State, in
cooperation with other relevant federal agencies, to explore
new opportunities for cooperation with Mexican authorities,
including training opportunities by state and local law
enforcement entities in the United States. The Committee
directs the USAID Administrator to include in the fiscal year
2020 Country Narrative for Mexico a description of plans for
support of such programs and activities.
The Committee recognizes the importance of creating
alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers in opium poppy
crop-producing regions of Mexico in order to reduce the supply
of opioids flowing into the United States. The Committee urges
the Department of State and USAID to work with the Government
of Mexico to develop an alternative livelihoods program in
Mexico to increase economic opportunities for farmers, reduce
their dependence on opium poppy as a cash crop, and complement
other existing drug supply reduction strategies. The program
should consider the experiences of alternative livelihood
programming in other countries in the region and the impact of
security conditions on program effectiveness. The Committee
directs the USAID Administrator to include in the fiscal year
2020 Country Narrative for Mexico a description of plans for
support of such programs.
The Committee notes the joint efforts between the United
States and Mexico to strengthen and modernize border security
at both northern and southern borders, ports, and airports
through improved infrastructure, technology, and training. The
Committee recommendation includes funding to continue to
support such efforts, including along Mexico's southern border
with Guatemala and Belize. Funds also are made available to
assist the Government of Mexico in disrupting the capacity of
organized crime to operate, institutionalize the capacity to
sustain the rule of law, and to strengthen communities against
organized crime.
The Committee is concerned about the length of time it has
taken in prior years for the Department of State and USAID to
submit notifications of intent to obligate assistance for
Mexico, as required under section 7015 of this Act. The
Committee directs that Department of State and USAID to
expedite the development and submission of such notifications.
Report
Mexico human rights.--Not later than 45 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall report to
the Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the
Government of Mexico is: (1) credibly investigating and
prosecuting violations of human rights in civilian courts; (2)
enforcing prohibitions against torture and the use of testimony
obtained through torture; and (3) searching for victims of
forced disappearances and credibly investigating and
prosecuting those responsible for such crimes.
The Caribbean.--The Committee recommendation includes not
less than $58,000,000 for the Caribbean Basin Regional Security
Initiative (CBSI). CBSI assists the nations of the Caribbean in
improving their capacity to combat transnational crime and
violence, increase public safety and security, promote social
justice through police and justice sector reform, anti-
corruption programs and at-risk youth programs, and to address
the regional instability caused by years of devastating natural
disasters. Funds for CBSI are allocated according to the
following table and should be viewed as minimum amounts
necessary to support the Initiative in fiscal year 2020:
CARIBBEAN BASIN SECURITY INITIATIVE
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................ $25,300
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 25,200
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 7,500
------------------
Total............................................ 58,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to funds made available for CBSI under title
IV, the Committee directs that funds appropriated under title
III of this Act be made available to strengthen resilience to
emergencies and disasters in the Caribbean. The Committee
further directs that funds appropriated under the headings
Global Health Programs and Development Assistance be made
available for assistance for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
at not less than amounts provided in fiscal year 2019.
Report
CBSI.--Not later than 45 days after enactment of this Act,
the Committee directs the Secretary of State, in coordination
with the USAID Administrator, to provide to the Committees on
Appropriations a report on the uses of all funds provided for
the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative on a country-by-country
basis for each program, project, and activity for fiscal years
2010 through 2019, and integrate such information into the
ForeignAssistance.gov website, as appropriate.
Venezuela.--The bill provides not less than $17,500,000 for
programs to promote democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
The Committee urges the Secretary of State and USAID
Administrator to allocate additional funds for support of a
peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela as conditions
permit. The Committee recommendation also includes funds under
the headings International Disaster Assistance and Migration
and Refugee Assistance to assist in the response to
humanitarian needs resulting from the Venezuelan crisis, both
inside and outside Venezuela. The Committee notes that
Venezuela is subject to the notification requirements of
section 7015 of this Act.
Threats to civil society.--The Committee is concerned about
attacks and assassinations of journalists, human rights
defenders, and social leaders in Latin America, and recommends
continued support for programs to help protect them and
investigate the perpetrators of these crimes.
Regional security cooperation.--Funds provided under the
heading International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement for
Western Hemisphere Regional Security Cooperation are in
addition to amounts otherwise provided for bilateral and
regional programs under that heading.
Western Hemisphere exchanges.--The Committee recommendation
includes funds to expand academic exchanges between the United
States and Latin America, including the ongoing 100,000 Strong
in the Americas initiative. The Committee encourages the
Department of State to increase opportunities for students to
participate in the initiative from disadvantaged backgrounds or
historically underserved populations.
Section 7046 (Europe and Eurasia) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding Europe and Eurasia.
Subsection (c) prohibits funds in this Act for the central
government of a country that the Secretary of State determines
and reports has taken affirmative steps to support the Russian
annexation of Crimea or other territory in Ukraine. The
Secretary may waive the prohibition if it is in the national
interest.
Subsection (c) also continues the prohibition of funds in
this Act for the central government of a country that the
Secretary of State determines and reports has recognized the
independence of, or has established diplomatic relations with,
the Russian-occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and
Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. The Secretary may waive the
prohibition if it is in the national interest. The Committee
notes that the Assad regime in Syria recognized such
territories in May 2018.
Pursuant to subsection (c)(5), not later than 90 days after
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the USAID Administrator, shall submit to the Committees on
Appropriations a multi-year strategy on democracy and rule of
law programs in the Russian Federation, countries along the
Russian periphery, and other countries in Europe and Eurasia
targeted by or potentially vulnerable to malign influence
campaigns of the Russian Federation, including cost estimates
for fiscal years 2020-2022, objectives, and oversight
mechanisms, for such programs on a country-by-country basis.
The report shall include a description of the role of civil
society organizations in the implementation of the strategy.
The strategy shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may
include a classified annex.
Subsection (d) prohibits funds in this Act or prior Acts to
transfer or deliver F-35 aircraft to Turkey, including any
defense articles or services related to such aircraft, until
the Secretary of State certifies to the appropriate
congressional committees that the Government of Turkey is not
purchasing the S-400 missile defense system from Russia and
will not accept the delivery of such system.
Countering Russian Influence Fund.--The Committee
recommends that, from amounts made available by this Act, not
less than less than $280,000,000 be made available for
Countering Russian Influence Fund, to be allocated according to
the following table:
COUNTERING RUSSIAN INFLUENCE FUND
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia...... $75,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 62,500
International Military Education and Training........ 5,000
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 137,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Georgia.--The Committee recommends that, from amounts made
available by this Act, not less than $127,025,000 be made
available for assistance for Georgia, to be allocated according
to the following table:
GEORGIA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia...... $83,025
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 5,700
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 1,100
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 2,200
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 35,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moldova.--The Committee recommends that from amounts made
available by this Act, not less than $73,953,000 be made
available for assistance for Moldova, to be allocated according
to the following table:
MOLDOVA
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia...... $51,853
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 7,800
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 400
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 1,150
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 12,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ukraine.--The Committee recommends that, from amounts made
available by this Act, not less than $445,700,000 be made
available for assistance for Ukraine, to be allocated according
to the following table:
UKRAINE
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia...... $250,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 30,000
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 15,000
Related Programs....................................
International Military Education and Training........ 2,900
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 115,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bill includes additional assistance for Ukraine under
the heading Global Health Programs.
Report-Nord Stream II.--The Secretary of State is directed
to report to the Committees on Appropriations not later than 45
days after enactment of this Act regarding whether the
sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act (Public Law 115-44) should be applied to entities
engaged in the planning, construction or operation of the Nord
Stream II pipeline, and if not, the reasons why such sanctions
do not apply.
Section 7047 (Stabilization and Development in Regions
Impacted by Extremism and Conflict) includes language modified
from the prior year related to assistance to regions impacted
by extremism and conflict.
Pursuant to subsection (a) the Committee directs the
Secretary of State to ensure programs and activities to counter
and defeat violent extremism and foreign fighters abroad are
coordinated with and complement the efforts of other United
States Government agencies and international partners, and that
information gained through the conduct of such programs is
shared in a timely manner with relevant departments and
agencies of the United States Government, other international
partners, and the Committees on Appropriations, as appropriate.
The Committee supports continuing efforts for programs to
counter violent extremism in Asia, including within the
Buddhist community. Funds shall be administered by the Mission
Director of the Regional Development Mission for Asia at USAID
and are in addition to funds otherwise made available for such
purposes.
Relief and Recovery Fund.--The Committee recommendation
provides that, from amounts made available by this Act, not
less than $195,000,000 shall be made available for the Relief
and Recovery Fund, to be allocated according to the following
table:
RELIEF AND RECOVERY FUND
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account/Program Budget Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Support Fund................................ $80,000
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement.. 25,000
of which, section 7033(b) Transitional Justice, 5,000
Reconciliation, and Reintegration Programs......
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and 25,000
Related Programs....................................
Peacekeeping Operations.............................. 40,000
Foreign Military Financing Program................... 25,000
------------------
Total, Relief and Recovery Fund.............. 195,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 7048 (United Nations) includes language modified
from the prior year relating to conditions on funds for the UN
and other international organizations.
Subsection (a) includes a 15 percent withholding on UN
organizations, departments, and agencies until the Secretary of
State makes the determination that each entity 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
reflect best practices for the protection of whistleblowers
from retaliation, including best practices for: (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 independent adjudicative
bodies, including external arbitration; and (E) results that
eliminate the effects of proven retaliation; 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.
UNRWA.--Pursuant to subsection (d), funds appropriated
under title III shall be made available to UNRWA unless the
Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committee on
Appropriations that UNRWA is violating a number of policies
related to neutrality, impartiality, prohibiting weapons in
their facilities, regular inspections, educational materials,
financial transparency, and auditing practices.
The Committee notes that since UNRWA began operations in
1950, the United States has contributed approximately
$6,248,000,000 to the Agency; which has been on average one-
third of UNRWA's annual budget until fiscal year 2018. The
Committee remains concerned with the suspension of assistance
to UNRWA that occurred in 2018, particularly in the absence of
an alternative operational, humanitarian organization and
observes, with great concern, that the withholding of United
States assistance has greatly exacerbated poverty, fueled
extremism, and further reduced the prospects for peace.
Report
Results of assistance.--The Committee directs that, not
later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of State shall submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations detailing the rationale behind the Department's
determination to suspend assistance to UNRWA. Such a report
shall also contain a detailed comparison of UNRWA's human
development and humanitarian services for each of the seven
decades of UNRWA's operation, to include: (1) the number of
Palestinians receiving services in UNRWA health facilities,
including child survival and maternal mortality rates,
vaccination rates, and availability of needed medical supplies,
including contraception (2) living conditions, including the
number of UNRWA-built temporary housing, long-term housing, and
camps; (3) the number of UNRWA-operated schools and the total
number of students enrolled in school, disaggregated by age,
sex, and education level (pre-primary, primary, secondary,
post-secondary/non-higher education, vocational training and
higher education); (4) graduation versus drop-out rates from
all UNRWA-operated schools, disaggregated by age, sex, and
education level; and (5) job placement rates following
completion of higher education versus unemployment rates,
disaggregated by age and sex.
Subsection (h) amends section 404(b)(2)(B) of the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995, to set
the U.S. peacekeeping contribution rates at the full assessed
rates for calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018 for paying
peacekeeping arrears owed to the UN from fiscal years 2017 and
2018. The Committee is concerned about the effect of growing
arrears on the UN peacekeeping system, and the liability
mounting arrears creates for the Committees on Appropriations
in future fiscal years.
Sec. 7049 (Inspectors General) includes language carried in
the prior year regarding timely access by Inspectors General to
records, documents, or other materials available to a
department or agency of the United States.
Timely access.--The Committee directs that a department or
agency of the United States Government covered by this section
shall provide its Inspector General access to all records,
documents, and other materials in a timely manner.
Compliance.--The Committee directs that each Inspector
General covered by this section shall ensure compliance with
statutory limitations on disclosure relevant to the information
provided by the department or agency over which that Inspector
General has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
Section 7050 (Global Internet Freedom) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding global Internet freedom
programs.
The Committee directs that funds made available to promote
internet freedom globally shall be prioritized for countries
whose governments restrict freedom of expression on the
Internet. Such funds shall be: (1) coordinated with other
democracy programs funded by this Act; (2) incorporated into
country assistance and democracy promotion strategies; (3) for
programs to implement the cyberspace strategies of the
Department of State and the comprehensive strategy to promote
Internet freedom access to information in Iran, as required by
section 414 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights
Act of 2012; (4) for programs that support the efforts of civil
society to counter the development of repressive Internet-
related laws and regulations; (5) for research of key threats
to Internet freedom; the continued development of technologies
that provide or enhance access to the Internet, including
circumvention tools that bypass Internet blocking, filtering,
and other censorship techniques used by authoritarian
governments; and maintenance of the technological advantage of
the United States Government over such censorship techniques.
The Secretary of State, in coordination with the USAGM CEO, is
directed to coordinate such research and development programs
with other relevant United States Government departments and
agencies in order to share information, technologies, and best
practices, and to assess the effectiveness of such
technologies.
The spend plan required by subsection (b) for the
Department of State shall include funding for all relevant
Department of State and USAID offices and bureaus.
The security and auditing procedures used by the Bureau of
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Department of State and
applied pursuant to subsection (c) shall be reviewed and
updated periodically to reflect current industry security
standards.
Section 7051 (Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment) includes language carried in
the prior year prohibiting funds for the use of torture.
Section 7052 (Aircraft Transfer, Coordination, and Use)
includes language carried in the prior year relating to
aircraft transfer and coordination.
Section 7053 (Parking Fines and Real Property Taxes Owed by
Foreign Government) includes language carried in the prior year
relating to unpaid parking fines and real property taxes owed
by foreign governments.
Section 7054 (International Monetary Fund) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding the
International Monetary Fund.
Section 7055 (Extradition) includes language carried in the
prior year prohibiting funds for a country that does not
cooperate in the extradition to the United States of certain
individuals.
Section 7056 (Impact on Jobs in the United States) includes
language modified from the prior year establishing certain
limitations on assistance that may impact jobs in the United
States.
The Committee encourages the Export-Import Bank and the DFC
to weigh the impact on jobs in the United States in addition to
environmental concerns when considering the approval of power-
generation projects abroad.
Section 7057 (United Nations Population Fund) includes
language modified from the prior year regarding assistance
provided to UNFPA and to address women's health. In exercising
the direction in subsection (b), consideration should be given
to allocating assistance to populations and geographic areas
affected by the decision to reprogram funds.
Section 7058 (Global Health Activities) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding global health activities
and providing certain authorities to better prepare for, and
respond to, emerging health threats.
Section 7059 (Gender Equality) includes language modified
from the prior year regarding programs that support gender
equality.
With respect to subsection (c), gender programs should
incorporate coordinated efforts to combat a variety of forms of
gender-based violence, including child marriage, rape, female
genital cutting and mutilation, and domestic violence.
The Committee directs that funds made available to train
foreign police, judicial, and military personnel, including for
international peacekeeping, address prevention and response to
gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, and support
integration of women into security forces. The Committee
encourages the Secretary of State to ensure women's
participation is increased in peacekeeping operations and other
security assistance programs, as appropriate.
Careers in science and engineering.--The Committee
encourages the Department of State to continue support for
public-private partnerships that empower adolescent girls to
pursue further education in the science, technology,
engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) fields, including the
Women in Science Girls STEAM Camp and the Alumni Thematic
International Exchange Series.
Report
Gender.--The Committee directs that, not later than 45 days
after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the USAID Administrator, shall submit a
report to the Committees on Appropriations on programs
supported by the Department of State and USAID on women's
leadership, gender-based violence, and women at risk of
extremism and the fulfillment of the requirements of this
section. In addition, the report shall include the use of funds
provided by this Act to support 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 equitable provision of
relief and recovery assistance to women and girls.
Section 7060 (Sector Allocations) includes language
modified from the prior year regarding assistance for programs
related to basic education, higher education, environment, food
security and agriculture development, microenterprise, programs
to combat trafficking in persons, reconciliation, and water and
sanitation.
Basic education.--Of the funds made available by subsection
(a)(1)(B), $100,000,000 is included for the Global Partnership
for Education and $25,000,000 is included for Education Cannot
Wait. The Committee expects that funds provided to Education
Cannot Wait should be derived from funding accounts in a manner
consistent with prior years.
Report
Obligation.--The Committee directs that not later than 30
days after enactment of this Act and quarterly thereafter until
September 30, 2020, the USAID Administrator shall report to the
Committees on Appropriations on the status of cumulative
unobligated balances and obligated, but unexpended, balances in
each country where USAID provides basic education assistance
and such report shall also include details on the types of
contracts and grants provided and the goals and objectives of
such assistance.
Pursuant to paragraph (2) of such amounts provided for
higher education, after consultation with the Committees on
Appropriations, not less than $35,000,000 shall be made
available for human and institutional capacity building
partnerships between higher education institutions in the
United States and developing countries, including $15,000,000
for new partnerships.
Environment.--The Committee directs the Secretary of the
Treasury to instruct the United States executive director of
each IFI that it is the policy of the United States to vote in
support of the construction of any large dam only if the
Secretary of the Treasury, after consulting with the Department
of State, USAID, and other technical personnel, as appropriate,
determines that the IFI is taking the necessary steps to meet
the following safeguards: (1) projects are selected based on
resource and river basin management plans that include full
stakeholder participation, a thorough, objective assessment of
social and environmental impacts (including cumulative and life
cycle gas emissions) and economic risks and returns; (2)
projects will safeguard river basin ecosystems, including by
maintaining sufficient operational flows to protect existing
ecosystems from negative impacts while protecting critical
natural habitats based on the comprehensive impact assessment
described above; (3) demonstrable public acceptance of
projects, planned mitigation, and benefits are achieved through
transparent, good faith engagement with full participation of
affected people in the catchment, reservoir, and downstream
areas; (4) the project has been developed transparently, with
timely public access to key documents including environmental
and social impact assessments and management plans, feasibility
studies, economic and risk analyses, and revenue management
plans, with appropriate exceptions for proprietary information;
(5) the country has in place sound dam management practices,
or, where necessary, commits to appropriate and timely capacity
building; and (6) the project includes environmental and social
mitigation measures to be funded and implemented throughout the
life of the project based on a monitoring and mitigation plan,
and progress on these mitigation measures is regularly
monitored and publicly reported.
Pursuant to subparagraph (b)(2)(B), the Committee remains
concerned about the crisis of wildlife trafficking and the
continued negative effect it is having on international
security and stability and the implications for endangered
species. The Committee notes that funds from biodiversity
programs are used to meet the wildlife trafficking directive.
The Committee recognizes the severity of poaching in Africa
and the destabilizing effect it has on regional security,
including by providing a significant source of financing for
armed groups with links to transnational organized crime and
terrorism. Funds should also be made available to expand
wildlife trafficking programs in Central and South America to
strengthen law enforcement and site-based conservation and
anti-poaching measures. Funds for wildlife trafficking should
be used to improve port and border security at key transit
points; promote community-based approaches for wildlife
protection; and support programs to reduce consumer demand.
Based on the CARPE model, the Committee supports continuing
and expanding transnational approaches throughout sub-Saharan
Africa, including the Okavango River Basin.
The Committee also encourages continued implementation of
the National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The
Committee notes such strategy calls for the use of innovative
and science-based analytical tools to combat wildlife poaching
and trafficking. The Committee supports efforts to engage with
the private sector and nongovernmental organizations in the
development and use of such tools.
The Committee directs the Secretary of State, the USAID
Administrator, and the Director of USFWS to consult with the
Committees on Appropriations on the use of funds provided for
programs to combat wildlife trafficking and directs that the
congressional budget justification for fiscal year 2021 include
country and program funding levels for such programs. The
Committee also directs USAID and the Bureau of International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to include monitoring and
evaluation components in wildlife trafficking implementation
agreements and include data from such monitoring and evaluation
efforts in its reports to Congress.
Pursuant to subparagraph (b)(1)(C), funds in this Act may
be made available for a contribution, grant, or any other
payment for the Paris Agreement, subject to prior consultation
with, and the regular notification procedures of, the
Committees on Appropriations.
Pursuant to subparagraph (b)(1)(D), none of the funds in
this Act, or prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations and related programs,
may be used to provide formal notification to withdraw from the
Paris Agreement.
Report
Climate.--The Committee acknowledges that climate change is
a threat to United States national security, driving poverty,
instability, and conflict across the globe. Constructive United
States leadership is instrumental to ensuring the collective
action necessary to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement and
combat this global threat. Not later than 90 days after
enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the Secretary of
State, in consultation with USAID, to submit to the Committees
on Appropriations a plan describing how the agencies will
continue to support the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Pursuant to subsection (e), $67,000,000 is included for
programs to combat trafficking in persons under the headings
Development Assistance, Economic Support Fund, Assistance for
Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, and International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement headings, to be coordinated by the Office
to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Of the amounts
provided, $45,000,000 is included under the heading
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement. The
Committee directs that $5,000,000 of such funds be made
available for child protection compacts. The Committee expects
that funds will be prioritized for countries with the greatest
need and continue to support child protection compacts pursuant
to Public Law 113-94.
The Committee notes an additional $16,000,000 is provided
under the heading Diplomatic Programs for the operational costs
of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons,
which is described further under title I in this report.
In addition to funds made available pursuant to subsection
(e), the Committee includes $25,000,000 under the heading
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement to support
programs to end modern slavery.
The Committee is greatly concerned with the changed
implementation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act
(Public Law 106-386) and the decision to not apply waivers for
the poorest countries. The Committee believes that the
discontinuation of social service programs for vulnerable
people, such as livelihood, environment, and education
programs, will have an adverse effect on anti-trafficking
objectives and lead to communities being more vulnerable to
trafficking. The Administration should use the waivers and
authorities provided by Congress to preserve common-sense
assistance programs.
The Committee urges the USAID Administrator to strengthen
implementation of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP)
policy. The Administrator should ensure that USAID personnel
and implementing partners are appropriately educated and
trained according to the C-TIP Field Guide. C-TIP activities
should be integrated into other development programs, project
design, and methods for program evaluation. The Committee
believes the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator
should ensure that foreign assistance programs relating to
humanitarian assistance, food security, poverty reduction,
social and economic growth and development, education, and
democracy and governance contribute to decreased vulnerability
to, or prevalence of, human trafficking and forced labor,
consistent with United States policy, including with section
107A(e) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
Report
Resources to combat human trafficking.--The Committee
directs that, not later than 45 days after enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the USAID
Administrator, submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations on obligations and expenditures of all fiscal
year 2019 funds managed by the Department of State and USAID to
combat human trafficking and forced labor. The report shall
include funding by program, project, and activity and describe
the management structure at the Department of State and USAID
used to program such funds. The Committee notes that this is
the fourth year this information has been requested without
submission of such report.
Pursuant to subsection (f), the Committee directs that the
Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation at USAID
administer reconciliation programs, and funds for such programs
should be matched by sources other than the United States
Government to the maximum extent practicable.
Section 7061 (Budget Documents) includes language modified
from the prior year requiring operating and spend plans for
funds provided in this Act.
Operating plans.--Pursuant to subsection (a), operating
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.
Section 7062 (Reorganization) includes language modified
from the prior year concerning consultation, notification, and
reporting requirements involving any agency reorganization.
Prior Consultation and Notification.--Pursuant to
subsection (a), the notification shall include: (1) a detailed
description of, and justification for, the proposed action,
including any policies or procedures currently or expected to
be used to implement Executive Order 13781; (2) the current
organizational chart, showing the operating units of the
respective department, agency or organization and a brief
description of each operating unit; the number of employees for
each operating unit; the proposed new organizational chart with
descriptions of each new operating unit; and the number of
employees once the proposed reorganization is complete; (3) an
assessment of how the proposed action will improve the
efficiency, effectiveness, performance, and accountability
(including through modernizing information technology platforms
and streamlining administrative functions) of the department,
agency, or organization; (4) an analysis of the impact of any
such change on the ability to advance the national interest of
the United States through diplomacy and development, and to
conduct adequate monitoring and oversight of foreign assistance
programs, and any legislative change necessary to implement
such proposals; (5) the estimated cost, including for design,
implementation, facilities, and personnel for fiscal years 2020
and 2021; (6) the estimated timeline to complete the proposed
action; and (7) an assessment of any cost savings and
efficiencies achieved through implementation of each element of
the proposed action.
Section 7063 (Designation) includes language carried in the
prior year providing certain conditions on amounts designated
as Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism.
Section 7064 (Assistance for Foreign Nongovernmental
Organizations) includes new language regarding restrictions on
foreign non-governmental organizations.
The Committee recommendation does not include a title VIII
as in prior years. The Committee notes that funds designated as
OCO/GWOT are included under the relevant headings. Accordingly,
the Committee recommends the following general provisions
carried in the fiscal year 2019 Act be deleted: 8001, 8002,
8003, and 8004.
House of Representatives Reporting Requirement
The following materials are submitted in accordance with
various requirements of the Rules of the House of
Representatives:
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding: The Committee on Appropriations considers
program performance, including a program's success in
developing and attaining outcome-related goals and objectives,
in developing funding recommendations.
Rescissions
The bill does not include any rescissions.
Transfers of Funds
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following list includes the
transfers of funds included in the accompanying bill:
In title I, under Diplomatic Programs, language is included
to transfer funds to Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular
Service for emergency evacuations and rewards.
In title I, under Emergencies in the Diplomatic and
Consular Service, language is included to transfer funds to
Repatriation Loans Program.
In title III, under United States Emergency Refugee and
Migration Assistance Fund, language is included to transfer
funds to Migration and Refugee Assistance in excess of the
limitation carried in underlying authority.
In title III, under Peace Corps, language is included to
transfer funds to the Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account and
to transfer funds to other departments and agencies.
Under title VII, language is included under section 7009 to
transfer funds under title I for the Department of State and
the United States Agency for Global Media.
Under title VII, language is included under section 7009 to
transfer funds under titles III and IV for the United States
International Development Finance Corporation.
Under title VII, language is included under section 7034 to
transfer funds under Protection of Foreign Missions and
Officials and unobligated balances of expired funds under
Diplomatic Programs for extraordinary protection.
Under title VII, language is included under section 7047 to
transfer funds under Economic Support Fund, International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, Non-proliferation, Anti-
terrorism, Demining and Related Programs, Peacekeeping
Operations, and Foreign Military Financing Program to the
Relief and Recovery Fund.
Under title VII, language is included under section 7058(b)
to transfer funds between Global Health Programs and
International Disaster Assistance.
Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending Items
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, neither the bill nor this report contain
any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 207 OF THE VIETNAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION ACT OF 2000
SEC. 207. VIETNAM DEBT REPAYMENT FUND.
(a) Establishment.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, there is established in the Treasury a separate account
which shall be known as the Vietnam Debt Repayment Fund (in
this subsection referred to as the ``Fund'').
(b) Deposits.--There shall be deposited as offsetting
receipts into the Fund all payments (including interest
payments) made by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the
United States-Vietnam debt agreement.
(c) Availability of the Funds.--
(1) Fiscal year limitation.--Beginning with fiscal
year 2002, and each subsequent fiscal year through
fiscal year 2018, $5,000,000 of the amounts deposited
into the Fund (or accrued interest) each fiscal year
shall be available to the Foundation, without fiscal
year limitation, under paragraph (2).
(2) Disbursement of funds.--The Secretary of the
Treasury, at least on a quarterly basis, shall transfer
to the Foundation amounts allotted to the Foundation
under paragraph (1) for the purpose of carrying out its
activities.
(3) Excess funds.--During each of the fiscal years
2015 through 2018, amounts deposited into the Fund, in
excess of the amounts made available to the Foundation
under paragraph (1), shall be made available by the
Secretary of the Treasury, upon the request of the
Secretary of State, for grants to support the
establishment of an independent, not-for-profit
academic institution in the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam.
(4) On October 1, 2019, any remaining unobligated
balances of funds made available under the heading
``Vietnam Education Foundation--Vietnam Debt Repayment
Fund'' tha t are not necessary for liquidating the
final liabilities of the Vietnam Education Foundation
shall be available for grants authorized by section 211
of this Act.
(d) Annual Report.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
prepare and submit annually to Congress statements of financial
condition of the Fund, including the beginning balance,
receipts, refunds to appropriations, transfers to the general
fund, and the ending balance.
----------
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1990
* * * * * * *
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
establishing categories of aliens for purposes of refugee
determinations
Sec. 599D. (a) In General.--In the case of an alien who is
within a category of aliens established under subsection (b),
the alien may establish, for purposes of admission as a refugee
under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, that
the alien has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of
race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social
group, or political opinion by asserting such a fear and
asserting a credible basis for concern about the possibility of
such persecution.
(b) Establishment of Categories.--
(1) For purposes of subsection (a), the Attorney
General, in consultation with the Secretary of State
and the Coordinator for Refugee Affairs, shall
establish--
(A) one or more categories of aliens who
are or were nationals and residents of an
independent state of the former Soviet Union or
of Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania and who share
common characteristics that identify them as
targets of persecution in that state on account
of race, religion, nationality, membership in a
particular social group, or political opinion,
(B) one or more categories of aliens who
are or were nationals and residents of Vietnam,
Laos, or Cambodia and who share common
characteristics that identify them as targets
of persecution in such respective foreign state
on such an account; and
(C) one or more categories of aliens who are or
were nationals and residents of the Islamic Republic or
Iran who, as members of a religious minority in Iran,
share common characteristics that identify them as
targets of persecution in that state on account of
race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular
social group, or political opinion.
(2)(A) Aliens who are (or were) nationals and
residents of an independent state of the former Soviet
Union or of Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania and who are
Jews or Evangelical Christians shall be deemed a
category of alien established under paragraph (1)(A).
(B) Aliens who are (or were) nationals of an
independent state of the former Soviet Union or of
Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania and who are current
members of, and demonstrate public, active, and
continuous participation (or attempted participation)
in the religious activities of, the Ukrainian Catholic
Church or the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, shall be
deemed a category of alien established under paragraph
(1)(A).
(C) Aliens who are (or were) nationals and
residents of Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia and who are
members of categories of individuals determined, by the
Attorney General in accordance with ``Immigration and
Naturalization Service Worldwide Guidelines for
Overseas Refugee Processing'' (issued by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service in August 1983)
shall be deemed a category of alien established under
paragraph (1)(B).
(3) Within the number of admissions of refugees
allocated for each of fiscal years 1990, 1991, and 1992
for refugees who are nationals of the Soviet Union
under section 207(a)(3) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (and within the number of such
admissions allocated for each of fiscal years 1993,
1994, 1995, and 1996 for refugees who are nationals of
the independent states of the former Soviet Union,
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under such section) and
within the number of such admissions allocated for each
of fiscal years 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,
2017, 2018, [and 2019] 2019, and 2020 for refugees who
are nationals of the independent states of the former
Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under such
section, notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the President shall allocate one thousand of such
admissions for such fiscal year to refugees who are
within the category of aliens described in paragraph
(2)(B).
(c) Written Reasons for Denials of Refugee Status.--Each
decision to deny an application for refugee status of an alien
who is within a category established under this section shall
be in writing and shall state, to the maximum extent feasible,
the reason for the denial.
(d) Permitting Certain Aliens Within Categories to Reapply
for Refugee Status.--Each alien who is within a category
established under this section and who (after August 14, 1988,
and before the date of the enactment of this Act) was denied
refugee status shall be permitted to reapply for such status.
Such an application shall be determined taking into account the
application of this section.
(e) Period of Application.--
(1) Subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on
the date of the enactment of this Act and shall only
apply to applications for refugee status submitted
before October 1, [2019] 2020.
(2) Subsection (c) shall apply to decisions made
after the date of the enactment of this Act and before
October 1, [2019] 2020.
(3) Subsection (d) shall take effect on the date of
the enactment of this Act and shall only apply to
reapplications for refugee status submitted before
October 1, [2019] 2020.
adjustment of status for certain soviet and indochinese parolees
Sec. 599E. (a) In General.--The Attorney General shall
adjust the status of an alien described in subsection (b) to
that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if
the alien--
(1) applies for such adjustment,
(2) has been physically present in the United
States for at least 1 year and is physically present in
the United States on the date the application for such
adjustment is filed,
(3) is admissible to the United States as an
immigrant, except as provided in subsection (c), and
(4) pays a fee (determined by the Attorney General)
for the processing of such application.
(b) Aliens Eligible for Adjustment of Status.--The benefits
provided in subsection (a) shall only apply to an alien who--
(1) was a national of an independent state of the
former Soviet Union or of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia, and
(2) was inspected and granted parole into the
United States during the period beginning on August 15,
1988, and ending on September 30, [2019] 2020, after
being denied refugee status.
(c) Waiver of Certain Grounds for Inadmissibility.--The
provisions of paragraphs (4), (5), and (7)(A) of section 212(a)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall not apply to
adjustment of status under this section and the Attorney
General may waive any other provision of such section (other
than paragraph (2)(C) or subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (E) of
paragraph (3)) with respect to such an adjustment for
humanitarian purposes, to assure family unity, or when it is
otherwise in the public interest.
(d) Date of Approval.--Upon the approval of such an
application for adjustment of status, the Attorney General
shall create a record of the alien's admission as a lawful
permanent resident as of the date of the alien's inspection and
parole described in subsection (b)(2).
(e) No Offset in Number of Visas Available.--When an alien
is granted the status of having been lawfully admitted for
permanent residence under this section, the Secretary of State
shall not be required to reduce the number of immigrant visas
authorized to be issued under the Immigration and Nationality
Act.
----------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005
* * * * * * *
TITLE X
OTHER MATTERS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 2--BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
* * * * * * *
GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 12001. (a)(1) Notwithstanding section 514 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h), the President
may transfer to Israel, in exchange for concessions to be
negotiated by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of
the Secretary of State, any or all of the items described in
paragraph (2).
(2) The items referred to in paragraph (1) are armor,
artillery, automatic weapons ammunition, missiles, and other
munitions that--
(A) are obsolete or surplus items;
(B) are in the inventory of the Department of
Defense;
(C) are intended for use as reserve stocks for
Israel; and
(D) are located in a stockpile in Israel.
(b) The value of concessions negotiated pursuant to
subsection (a) shall be at least equal to the fair market value
of the items transferred. The concessions may include cash
compensation, services, waiver of charges otherwise payable by
the United States, and other items of value.
(c) Not later than 30 days before making a transfer under
the authority of this section, the President shall transmit a
notification of the proposed transfer to the Committees on
Foreign Relations and Armed Services of the Senate and the
Committees on International Relations and Armed Services of the
House of Representatives. The notification shall identify the
items to be transferred and the concessions to be received.
(d) No transfer may be made under the authority [of this
section after September 30, 2020.] of this section after
September 30, 2021.
* * * * * * *
----------
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961
* * * * * * *
PART I
Chapter 1--Policy; Development Assistance Authorizations
* * * * * * *
SEC. 104D ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, regulation, or
policy, in determining eligibility for assistance under
sections 104, 104A, 104B, and 104C, a foreign nongovernmental
organization--
(1) shall not be ineligible for such assistance
solely on the basis of health or medical services,
including counseling and referral services, provided by
such organization with non-United States Government
funds if such services--
(A) are permitted in the country in which
they are being provided; and
(B) would not violate United States law if
provided in the United States; and
(2) shall not be subject to requirements relating
to the use of non-United States Government funds for
advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that
apply to United States nongovernmental organizations
receiving assistance under this part.
* * * * * * *
TITLE XII--FAMINE PREVENTION AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER
* * * * * * *
Chapter 2--Military Assistance
* * * * * * *
Sec. 514. Stockpiling of Defense Articles for Foreign
Countries.--(a) No defense article in the inventory of the
Department of Defense which is set aside, reserved, or in any
way earmarked or intended for future use by any foreign country
may be made available to or for use by any foreign country
unless such transfer is authorized under this Act or the Arms
Export Control Act, or any subsequent corresponding
legislation, and the value of such transfer is charged against
funds authorized under such legislation or against the
limitations specified in such legislation, as appropriate, for
the fiscal period in which such defense article is transferred.
For purposes of this subsection, ``value'' means the
acquisition cost plus crating, packing, handling, and
transportation costs incurred in carrying out this section.
(b)(1) The value of defense articles to be set aside,
earmarked, reserved, or intended for use as war reserve stocks
for allied or other foreign countries (other than for purposes
of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or in the
implementation of agreements with Israel) in stockpiles located
in foreign countries may not exceed in any fiscal year an
amount that is specified in security assistance authorizing
legislation for that fiscal year.
(2)(A) The value of such additions to stockpiles of defense
articles in foreign countries shall not exceed $200,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,
[and 2020] 2020, and 2021.
(B) Of the amount specified in subparagraph (A) for a
fiscal year, not more than $200,000,000 may be made available
for stockpiles in the State of Israel.
(c) Location of Stockpiles of Defense Articles.--
(1) Limitation.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), no stockpile of defense articles may be located
outside the boundaries of a United States military base
or a military base used primarily by the United States.
(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with
respect to stockpiles of defense articles located in
the Republic of Korea, Thailand, any country that is a
member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, any
country that is a major non-NATO ally, or any other
country the President may designate. At least 15 days
before designating a country pursuant to the last
clause of the preceding sentence, the President shall
notify the congressional committees specified in
section 634A(a) in accordance with the procedures
applicable to reprogramming notifications under that
section.
(d) No defense article transferred from any stockpile which
is made available to or for use by any foreign country may be
considered an excess defense article for the purpose of
determining the value thereof.
* * * * * * *
----------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017
* * * * * * *
DIVISION J--DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED
PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017
* * * * * * *
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
latin america and the caribbean
Sec. 7045. (a) Central America.--
(1) Strategy review and update.--The Secretary of
State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant
United States Government agencies, shall review the
United States Strategy for Engagement in Central
America (the Strategy) and submit an updated Strategy
to the appropriate congressional committees not later
than 90 days after enactment of this Act: Provided,
That such Strategy shall address the key factors in
countries in Central America that contribute to the
migration of undocumented Central Americans to the
United States: Provided further, That such Strategy
should support regional security and economic
initiatives, including the Plan of the Alliance for
Prosperity in the Northern Triangle in Central America
(the Plan), to the extent the Secretary of State
determines such initiatives are consistent with the
national interest of the United States.
(2) Funding.--Subject to the requirements of this
subsection, of the funds appropriated under titles III
and IV of this Act, [$655,000,000 should] not less than
$655,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for
countries in Central America to implement the United
States Strategy for Engagement in Central America:
Provided further, That such funds shall be made
available to the maximum extent practicable on a cost-
matching basis.
(3) Pre-obligation requirements.--Prior to the
obligation of funds made available pursuant to
paragraph (2) and following the submission of the
Strategy as required in paragraph (1), the Secretary of
State shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations
a multi-year spend plan as described under this section
in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in
the matter preceding division A of this Consolidated
Act), including a description of how such funds shall
prioritize addressing the key factors in countries in
Central America that contribute to the migration of
undocumented Central Americans to the United States.
(4) Assistance for the central governments of el
salvador, guatemala, and honduras.--Of the funds made
available pursuant to paragraph (2) that are available
for assistance for each of the central governments of
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the following
amounts shall be withheld from obligation and may only
be made available as follows:
(A) 25 percent may only be obligated after
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to
the appropriate congressional committees that
such government is taking effective steps,
which are in addition to those steps taken
since the certification and report submitted
during the prior year, if applicable, to--
(i) inform its citizens of the
dangers of the journey to the southwest
border of the United States;
(ii) combat human smuggling and
trafficking;
(iii) improve border security,
including to prevent illegal migration,
human smuggling and trafficking, and
trafficking of illicit drugs and other
contraband; and
(iv) cooperate with United States
Government agencies and other
governments in the region to facilitate
the return, repatriation, and
reintegration of illegal migrants
arriving at the southwest border of the
United States who do not qualify for
asylum, consistent with international
law.
(B) An additional 50 percent may only be
obligated after the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that such government
is taking effective steps, which are in
addition to those steps taken since the
certification and report submitted during the
prior year, if applicable, to--
(i) work cooperatively with an
autonomous, publicly accountable entity
to provide oversight of the Plan;
(ii) combat corruption, including
investigating and prosecuting current
and former government officials
credibly alleged to be corrupt;
(iii) implement reforms, policies,
and programs to improve transparency
and strengthen public institutions,
including increasing the capacity and
independence of the judiciary and the
Office of the Attorney General;
(iv) implement a policy to ensure
that local communities, civil society
organizations (including indigenous and
other marginalized groups), and local
governments are consulted in the
design, and participate in the
implementation and evaluation of,
activities of the Plan that affect such
communities, organizations, and
governments;
(v) counter the activities of
criminal gangs, drug traffickers, and
organized crime;
(vi) investigate and prosecute in
the civilian justice system government
personnel, including military and
police personnel, who are credibly
alleged to have violated human rights,
and ensure that such personnel are
cooperating in such cases;
(vii) cooperate with commissions
against corruption and impunity and
with regional human rights entities;
(viii) support programs to reduce
poverty, expand education and
vocational training for at-risk youth,
create jobs, and promote equitable
economic growth particularly in areas
contributing to large numbers of
migrants;
(ix) implement a plan that includes
goals, benchmarks and timelines to
create a professional, accountable
civilian police force and end the role
of the military in internal policing,
and make such plan available to the
Department of State;
(x) protect the right of political
opposition parties, journalists, trade
unionists, human rights defenders, and
other civil society activists to
operate without interference;
(xi) increase government revenues,
including by implementing tax reforms
and strengthening customs agencies; and
(xii) resolve commercial disputes,
including the confiscation of real
property, between United States
entities and such government.
(5) Suspension of assistance and periodic review.--
(A) The Secretary of State shall
periodically review the progress of each of the
central governments of El Salvador, Guatemala,
and Honduras in meeting the requirements of
paragraphs (4)(A) and (4)(B): Provided, That
if the Secretary determines that sufficient
progress has not been made by a central
government, the Secretary shall suspend, in
whole or in part, assistance for such
government for programs supporting such
requirement, and shall notify the appropriate
congressional committees in writing of such
action: Provided further, That the Secretary
may resume funding for such programs only after
the Secretary certifies to such committees that
corrective measures have been taken.
(B) The Secretary of State shall, following
a change of national government in El Salvador,
Guatemala, or Honduras, determine and report to
the appropriate congressional committees that
any new government has committed to take the
steps to meet the requirements of paragraphs
(4)(A) and (4)(B): Provided, That if the
Secretary is unable to make such a
determination in a timely manner, assistance
made available under this subsection for such
central government shall be suspended, in whole
or in part, until such time as such
determination and report can be made.
(6) Transfer of Funds.--The Department of State and
USAID may, following consultation with the Committees
on Appropriations, transfer funds made available by
this Act under the heading ``Development Assistance''
to the Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-
American Foundation to support the Strategy.
(b) Colombia.--
(1) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under titles III and IV, not less than $391,253,000
shall be made available for assistance for Colombia,
including to support the efforts of the Government of
Colombia to--
(A) conduct a unified campaign against
narcotics trafficking, organizations designated
as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), and other criminal or
illegal armed groups: Provided, That aircraft
supported by funds made available by this Act
and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and
related programs may be used to transport
personnel and supplies involved in drug
eradication and interdiction, including
security for such activities, and to provide
transport in support of alternative development
programs and investigations by civilian
judicial authorities;
(B) enhance security and stability in
Colombia and the region;
(C) strengthen and expand governance, the
rule of law, and access to justice throughout
Colombia;
(D) promote economic and social
development, including by improving access to
areas impacted by conflict through demining
programs; and
(E) implement a peace agreement between the
Government of Colombia and illegal armed
groups, in accordance with constitutional and
legal requirements in Colombia:
Provided, That such funds shall be subject to prior
consultation with, and the regular notification
procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by
this Act or 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 payment of
reparations to conflict victims or compensation to
demobilized combatants associated with a peace
agreement between the Government of Colombia and
illegal armed groups.
(3) Pre-obligation requirements.--Prior to the
initial obligation of funds made available pursuant to
paragraph (1), the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the USAID Administrator, shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations a multi-year spend plan as
described under section 7045 in the explanatory
statement described in section 4 (in the matter
preceding division A of this Consolidated Act).
(4) Refugees.--Funds made available by this Act
under the heading ``Economic Support Fund'' for
assistance for Colombia shall be apportioned directly
to USAID, except that not less than $7,000,000 of such
funds shall be transferred to, and merged with, funds
appropriated by this Act under the heading ``Migration
and Refugee Assistance'' for assistance for Colombian
refugees in neighboring countries.
(5) Counternarcotics.--Of the funds made available
by this Act under the heading ``International Narcotics
Control and Law Enforcement'' for assistance for
Colombia, 20 percent may be obligated only in
accordance with the conditions set forth under section
7045 in the explanatory statement described in section
4 (in the matter preceding division A of this
Consolidated Act).
(6) Human Rights.--Of the funds made available by
this Act under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' for assistance for Colombia, 20 percent may
be obligated only in accordance with the conditions set
forth under section 7045 in the explanatory statement
described in section 4 (in the matter preceding
division A of this Consolidated Act).
(7) Exceptions.--The limitations of paragraphs (5)
and (6) shall not apply to funds made available for
aviation instruction and maintenance, and maritime and
riverine security programs.
(c) Haiti.--
(1) Funding.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'' and
``Economic Support Fund'', not more than $45,000,000
may be made available for assistance for Haiti:
Provided, That the funding limitation of this paragraph
may be exceeded for food security and global health
programs.
(2) Certification.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'' and
``Economic Support Fund'' that are made available for
assistance for Haiti may not be made available for
assistance for the central Government of Haiti unless
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that such government is
taking effective steps, which are in addition to steps
taken since the certification and report submitted
during the prior year, if applicable, to--
(A) strengthen the rule of law in Haiti,
including by--
(i) selecting judges in a
transparent manner based on merit;
(ii) reducing pre-trial detention;
(iii) respecting the independence
of the judiciary; and
(iv) improving governance by
implementing reforms to increase
transparency and accountability,
including through the penal and
criminal codes;
(B) combat corruption, including by
implementing the anti-corruption law enacted in
2014 and prosecuting corrupt officials;
(C) increase government revenues, including
by implementing tax reforms, and increase
expenditures on public services; and
(D) resolve commercial disputes between
United States entities and the Government of
Haiti.
(3) 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.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 7045 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND
RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2018
latin america and the caribbean
Sec. 7045. (a) Central America.--
(1) Funding.--Subject to the requirements of this
subsection, of the funds appropriated under titles III
and IV of this Act, [up to $615,000,000 may] not less
than $615,000,000 shall be made available for
assistance for countries in Central America to
implement the United States Strategy for Engagement in
Central America (the Strategy): Provided, That such
funds shall be made available to the maximum extent
practicable on a cost-matching basis.
(2) Pre-obligation requirements.--Prior to the
obligation of funds made available pursuant to
paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall submit to
the Committees on Appropriations an updated multi-year
spend plan as described under this subsection in the
explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the
matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act).
(3) Assistance for the central governments of el
salvador, guatemala, and honduras.--Of the funds made
available pursuant to paragraph (1) that are available
for assistance for each of the central governments of
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, except for funds
made available for the International Commission against
Impunity in Guatemala or the Mission to Support the
Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, the
following amounts shall be withheld from obligation and
may only be made available as follows:
(A) 25 percent may only be obligated after
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to
the appropriate congressional committees that
such government is--
(i) informing its citizens of the
dangers of the journey to the southwest
border of the United States;
(ii) combating human smuggling and
trafficking;
(iii) improving border security,
including preventing illegal migration,
human smuggling and trafficking, and
trafficking of illicit drugs and other
contraband; and
(iv) cooperating with United States
Government agencies and other
governments in the region to facilitate
the return, repatriation, and
reintegration of illegal migrants
arriving at the southwest border of the
United States who do not qualify for
asylum, consistent with international
law.
(B) An additional 50 percent may only be
obligated after the Secretary of State
certifies and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that such government
is--
(i) working cooperatively with an
autonomous, publicly accountable entity
to provide oversight of the Plan of the
Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern
Triangle in Central America (the Plan);
(ii) combating corruption,
including investigating and prosecuting
current and former government officials
credibly alleged to be corrupt;
(iii) implementing reforms,
policies, and programs to improve
transparency and strengthen public
institutions, including increasing the
capacity and independence of the
judiciary and the Office of the
Attorney General;
(iv) implementing a policy to
ensure that local communities, civil
society organizations (including
indigenous and other marginalized
groups), and local governments are
consulted in the design, and
participate in the implementation and
evaluation of, activities of the Plan
that affect such communities,
organizations, and governments;
(v) countering the activities of
criminal gangs, drug traffickers, and
organized crime;
(vi) investigating and prosecuting
in the civilian justice system
government personnel, including
military and police personnel, who are
credibly alleged to have violated human
rights, and ensuring that such
personnel are cooperating in such
cases;
(vii) cooperating with commissions
against corruption and impunity and
with regional human rights entities;
(viii) supporting programs to
reduce poverty, expand education and
vocational training for at-risk youth,
create jobs, and promote equitable
economic growth, particularly in areas
contributing to large numbers of
migrants;
(ix) implementing a plan that
includes goals, benchmarks, and
timelines to create a professional,
accountable civilian police force and
end the role of the military in
internal policing, and make such plan
available to the Department of State;
(x) protecting the right of
political opposition parties,
journalists, trade unionists, human
rights defenders, and other civil
society activists to operate without
interference;
(xi) increasing government
revenues, including by implementing tax
reforms and strengthening customs
agencies; and
(xii) resolving commercial
disputes, including the confiscation of
real property, between United States
entities and such government.
(4) Determinations and impact on assistance.--
(A) Insufficient progress.--The Secretary
of State shall periodically review the progress
of each of the central governments of El
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in meeting
the requirements of paragraphs (3)(A) and
(3)(B): Provided, That if the Secretary
determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that sufficient
progress has not been made by such government
in meeting such requirements, the Secretary
shall suspend, in whole or in part, assistance
for such government for programs supporting
such requirement, and shall notify the
appropriate congressional committees in writing
of such action: Provided further, That the
Secretary may resume such assistance if the
Secretary determines and reports to such
committees that corrective measures have been
taken by such government.
(B) Extraordinary progress The Secretary of
State may, notwithstanding section 7019 of this
Act, increase assistance for El Salvador,
Guatemala, or Honduras if the Secretary
determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that the central
government of such country has made
extraordinary progress in meeting the
requirements of paragraphs (3)(A) and (3)(B):
Provided, That such increase shall be provided
in the amounts designated as Award for
Extraordinary Progress in the table under this
section in the explanatory statement described
in section 4 (in the matter preceding division
A of this consolidated Act): Provided further,
That such determination may be made for not
more than one country and following the
submission of the reports for such country
submitted pursuant to paragraphs (3)(A) and
(3)(B).
(C) Change in national government.--Not
later than 90 days following a change of
national government in El Salvador, Guatemala,
or Honduras, the Secretary of State shall
determine whether or not such government is
meeting the requirements of paragraphs (3)(A)
and (3)(B) and submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees detailing
the reasons for such determination: Provided,
That if the Secretary determines that such
government is not meeting such requirements,
then the Secretary shall suspend, in whole or
in part, assistance for such central government
until such time as such determination and
report can be made.
(D) Reprogramming.--
(i) Assistance suspended pursuant
to subparagraphs (A) or (C) may be
reprogrammed if the Secretary of State
determines that corrective measures
have not been taken.
(ii) If the Secretary is unable to
make a determination pursuant to
subparagraph (B) within 180 days after
enactment of this Act, amounts
designated under such subparagraph may
be reprogrammed.
(iii) Any reprogramming made
pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) shall
only be made available for assistance
for other countries in Latin America
and the Caribbean and shall be subject
to the regular notification procedures
of the Committees on Appropriations.
(5) Consultation.--The Secretary of State shall
consult with the Committees on Appropriations not less
than 14 days prior to submitting any certification made
pursuant to subsection (a)(3) and any suspension or
reprogramming made pursuant to subsection (a)(4).
(6) Limitation.--None of the funds made available
by this subsection for assistance for countries in
Central America may be made available for direct
government-to-government assistance or for major
infrastructure projects.
(b) Colombia.--
(1) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under titles III and IV, not less than $391,253,000
shall be made available for assistance for Colombia,
including to support the efforts of the Government of
Colombia to--
(A) conduct a unified campaign against
narcotics trafficking, organizations designated
as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), and other criminal or
illegal armed groups: Provided, That aircraft
supported by funds made available by this Act
and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and
related programs may be used to transport
personnel and supplies involved in drug
eradication and interdiction, including
security for such activities, and to provide
transport in support of alternative development
programs and investigations by civilian
judicial authorities;
(B) enhance security and stability in
Colombia and the region;
(C) strengthen and expand governance, the
rule of law, and access to justice throughout
Colombia;
(D) promote economic and social
development, including by improving access to
areas impacted by conflict through demining
programs; and
(E) implement a peace agreement between the
Government of Colombia and illegal armed
groups, in accordance with constitutional and
legal requirements in Colombia:
Provided, That such funds shall be subject to prior
consultation with, and the regular notification
procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by
this Act or 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 payment of
reparations to conflict victims or compensation to
demobilized combatants associated with a peace
agreement between the Government of Colombia and
illegal armed groups.
(3) Pre-obligation requirements.--Prior to the
initial obligation of funds made available pursuant to
paragraph (1), the Secretary of State, in consultation
with the USAID Administrator, shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations an updated multi-year
spend plan as described under this subsection in the
explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the
matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act).
(4) Apportionment and transfer.--Funds made
available by this Act under the heading ``Economic
Support Fund'' for assistance for Colombia shall be
apportioned directly to USAID, except that not less
than $7,000,000 of such funds shall be transferred to,
and merged with, funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Migration and Refugee Assistance'' for
assistance for Colombian refugees in neighboring
countries.
(5) Counternarcotics.--Of the funds made available
by this Act under the headings ``Economic Support
Fund'' and ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'' for counternarcotics assistance for
Colombia, 25 percent may be obligated only after the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that the Government of
Colombia has reduced overall illicit drug cultivation,
production, and trafficking.
(6) Human rights.--Of the funds made available by
this Act under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' for assistance for Colombia, 20 percent may
be obligated only in accordance with the conditions set
forth under section 7045 in Senate Report 115-152.
(7) Exceptions.--The limitations of paragraphs (5)
and (6) shall not apply to funds made available for
aviation instruction and maintenance, and maritime and
riverine security programs.
(c) Haiti.--
(1) Certification.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'' and
``Economic Support Fund'' that are made available for
assistance for Haiti may not be made available for
assistance for the central Government of Haiti unless
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that such government is
taking effective steps, which are in addition to steps
taken since the certification and report submitted
during the prior year, if applicable, to--
(A) strengthen the rule of law in Haiti,
including by--
(i) selecting judges in a
transparent manner based on merit;
(ii) reducing pre-trial detention;
(iii) respecting the independence
of the judiciary; and
(iv) improving governance by
implementing reforms to increase
transparency and accountability,
including through the penal and
criminal codes;
(B) combat corruption, including by
implementing the anti-corruption law enacted in
2014 and prosecuting corrupt officials;
(C) increase government revenues, including
by implementing tax reforms, and increasing
expenditures on public services; and
(D) resolve commercial disputes between
United States entities and the Government of
Haiti.
(2) 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.
(d) Venezuela.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Economic Support Fund'', not less than
$15,000,000 shall be made available for programs to promote
democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
----------
SECTION 7045 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND
RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Sec. 7045. (a) Central America.--
(1) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated under
titles III and IV of this Act, not less than
$527,600,000 shall be made available for assistance for
the countries of Central America to implement the
United States Strategy for Engagement in Central
America.
[(1)] (2) Conditions on assistance for the central
governments of el salvador, guatemala, and honduras.--
Of the funds appropriated by this Act under titles III
and IV that are made available for assistance for each
of the central governments of El Salvador, Guatemala,
and Honduras, 50 percent may only be obligated after
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
appropriate congressional committees that such
government is--
(A) informing its citizens of the dangers
of the journey to the southwest border of the
United States;
(B) combating human smuggling and
trafficking;
(C) improving border security, including
preventing illegal migration, human smuggling
and trafficking, and trafficking of illicit
drugs and other contraband;
(D) cooperating with United States
Government agencies and other governments in
the region to facilitate the return,
repatriation, and reintegration of illegal
migrants arriving at the southwest border of
the United States who do not qualify for
asylum, consistent with international law;
(E) working cooperatively with an
autonomous, publicly accountable entity to
provide oversight of the Plan of the Alliance
for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle in
Central America (the Plan);
(F) combating corruption, including
investigating and prosecuting current and
former government officials credibly alleged to
be corrupt;
(G) implementing reforms, policies, and
programs to increase transparency and
strengthen public institutions and the rule of
law;
(H) working with local communities, civil
society organizations (including indigenous and
other marginalized groups), and local
governments in the implementation and
evaluation of activities of the Plan;
(I) countering the activities of criminal
gangs, drug traffickers, and transnational
criminal organizations;
(J) investigating and prosecuting in the
civilian justice system government personnel
who are credibly alleged to have violated human
rights;
(K) cooperating with commissions against
corruption and impunity and with regional human
rights entities;
(L) supporting programs to reduce poverty,
expand education and vocational training for
at-risk youth, create jobs, and promote
equitable economic growth, particularly in
areas contributing to large numbers of
migrants;
(M) creating a professional, accountable
civilian police force and ending the role of
the military in internal policing;
(N) protecting the right of political
opposition parties and other members of civil
society to operate without interference;
(O) implementing tax reforms; and
(P) resolving commercial disputes.
[(2)] (3) Determinations and impact on
assistance.--
(A) Insufficient progress.--The Secretary
of State shall periodically review the progress
of each of the central governments of El
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in meeting
the requirements of [paragraph (1)] paragraph
(2): Provided, That if the Secretary determines
and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees that sufficient progress has not
been made by such government in meeting such
requirements, the Secretary shall suspend, in
whole or in part, assistance for such
government for programs supporting such
requirement, and shall notify the appropriate
congressional committees in writing of such
action: Provided further, That the Secretary
may resume such assistance if the Secretary
determines and reports to such committees that
corrective measures have been taken by such
government.
(B) Change in national government.--Not
later than 90 days following a change of
national government in El Salvador, Guatemala,
or Honduras, the Secretary of State shall
determine whether or not such government is
meeting the requirements of [paragraph (1)]
paragraph (2)
and submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees detailing the reasons for such determination:
Provided, That if the Secretary determines that such government
is not meeting such requirements, then the Secretary shall
suspend, in whole or in part, assistance for such country until
such time as such determination and report can be made.
(C) Reprogramming.--Assistance suspended
pursuant to subparagraphs (A) or (B) may be
reprogrammed if the Secretary of State
determines that corrective measures have not
been taken: Provided, That any such
reprogramming shall only be made available for
assistance for other countries in Latin America
and the Caribbean and shall be subject to the
regular notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
[(3)] (4) Consultation.--The Secretary of State
shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations not
less than 14 days prior to submitting any certification
made pursuant to [subsection (a)(1)] paragraph (2) and
any suspension or reprogramming made pursuant to
[subsection (a)(2)] paragraph (3).
[(4)] (5) Exceptions and limitations.--
(A) Exceptions.--The limitation of
paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds
appropriated by this Act that are made
available for the International Commission
against Impunity in Guatemala, the Mission to
Support the Fight against Corruption and
Impunity in Honduras, humanitarian assistance,
and food security programs.
(B) Limitations.--None of the funds
appropriated by this Act that are made
available for assistance for countries in
Central America may be made available for
direct government-to-government assistance or
for major infrastructure projects.
(b) Colombia.--
(1) Assistance.--Of the funds appropriated by this
Act under titles III and IV, not less than $418,253,000
shall be made available for assistance for Colombia,
including to support the efforts of the Government of
Colombia to--
(A) conduct a unified campaign against
narcotics trafficking, organizations designated
as foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), and other criminal or
illegal armed groups: Provided, That aircraft
supported by funds made available by this Act
and prior Acts making appropriations for the
Department of State, foreign operations, and
related programs may be used to transport
personnel and supplies involved in drug
eradication and interdiction, including
security for such activities, and to provide
transport in support of alternative development
programs and investigations by civilian
judicial authorities;
(B) enhance security and stability in
Colombia and the region;
(C) strengthen and expand governance, the
rule of law, and access to justice throughout
Colombia;
(D) promote economic and social
development, including by improving access to
areas impacted by conflict through demining
programs;
(E) assist communities impacted by
significant refugee or migrant populations; and
(F) implement a peace agreement between the
Government of Colombia and illegal armed
groups, in accordance with constitutional and
legal requirements in Colombia.
(2) Limitation.--None of the funds appropriated by
this Act or 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 payment of
reparations to conflict victims or compensation to
demobilized combatants associated with a peace
agreement between the Government of Colombia and
illegal armed groups.
(3) Counternarcotics.--Of the funds appropriated by
this Act under the headings ``Economic Support Fund''
and ``International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement'' and made available for counternarcotics
assistance for Colombia, 20 percent may be obligated
only after the Secretary of State certifies and reports
to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government
of Colombia has reduced overall illicit drug
cultivation, production, and trafficking.
(4) Human rights.--Of the funds appropriated by
this Act under the heading ``Foreign Military Financing
Program'' and made available for assistance for
Colombia, 20 percent may be obligated only after the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that--
(A) the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and
other judicial authorities are taking effective
steps to hold accountable perpetrators of gross
violations of human rights in a manner
consistent with international law, including
for command responsibility, and sentence them
to deprivation of liberty;
(B) the Government of Colombia is taking
effective steps to reduce attacks against human
rights defenders and other civil society
activists, trade unionists, and journalists,
and judicial authorities are prosecuting those
responsible for such attacks; and
(C) senior military officers responsible
for ordering, committing, and covering up cases
of false positives are being held accountable,
including removal from active duty if found
guilty through criminal or disciplinary
proceedings.
(5) Exceptions.--The limitations of paragraphs (3)
and (4) shall not apply to funds made available for
aviation instruction and maintenance, and maritime and
riverine security programs.
(c) Haiti.--
(1) Certification.--Funds appropriated by this Act
under the headings ``Development Assistance'' and
``Economic Support Fund'' that are made available for
assistance for Haiti may not be made available for
assistance for the central Government of Haiti unless
the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the
Committees on Appropriations that such government is
taking effective steps, which are steps taken since the
certification and report submitted during the prior
year, if applicable, to--
(A) strengthen the rule of law in Haiti,
including by--
(i) selecting judges in a
transparent manner based on merit;
(ii) reducing pre-trial detention;
(iii) respecting the independence
of the judiciary; and
(iv) improving governance by
implementing reforms to increase
transparency and accountability,
including through the penal and
criminal codes;
(B) combat corruption, including by
implementing the anti-corruption law enacted in
2014 and prosecuting corrupt officials;
(C) increase government revenues, including
by implementing tax reforms, and increasing
expenditures on public services; and
(D) resolve commercial disputes between
United States entities and the Government of
Haiti.
(2) 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.
(d) Venezuela.--Of the funds appropriated by this Act under
the heading ``Economic Support Fund'', not less than
$17,500,000 shall be made available for programs to promote
democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
----------
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 1994 AND 1995
* * * * * * *
TITLE IV--INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PART A--UNITED NATIONS REFORM AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 404. ASSESSED CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING
OPERATIONS.
(a) Reassessment of Contribution Percentages.--The
Permanent Representative of the United States to the United
Nations should make every effort to ensure that the United
Nations completes an overall review and reassessment of each
nation's assessed contributions for United Nations peacekeeping
operations. As part of the overall review and assessment, the
Permanent Representative should make every effort to advance
the concept that, when appropriate, host governments and other
governments in the region where a United Nations peacekeeping
operation is carried out should bear a greater burden of its
financial cost.
(b) Limitation on United States Contributions.--
(1) Fiscal years 1994 and 1995.--Funds authorized
to be appropriated for ``Contributions for
International Peacekeeping Activities'' for fiscal
years 1994 and 1995 shall not be available for the
payment of the United States assessed contribution for
a United Nations peacekeeping operation in an amount
which is greater than 30.4 percent of the total of all
assessed contributions for that operation,
notwithstanding the last sentence of the paragraph
headed ``Contributions to International Organizations''
in Public Law 92-544, as amended by section 203 of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1976
(22 U.S.C. 287e note).
(2) Subsequent fiscal years.--(A) In general.--
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), funds
authorized to be appropriated for ``Contributions for
International Peacekeeping Activities'' for any fiscal
year after fiscal year 1995 shall not be available for
the payment of the United States assessed contribution
for a United Nations peacekeeping operation in an
amount which is greater than 25 percent of the total of
all assessed contributions for that operation.
(B) Reduction in united states share of
assessed contributions.--Notwithstanding the
percentage limitation contained in subparagraph
(A), the United States share of assessed
contributions for each United Nations
peacekeeping operation during the following
periods is authorized to be as follows:
(i) For assessments made during
calendar year 2001, 28.15 percent.
(ii) For assessments made during
calendar year 2002, 27.90 percent.
(iii) For assessments made during
calendar year 2003, 27.40 percent.
(iv) For assessments made during
calendar year 2004, 27.40 percent.
(v) For assessments made during each of the calendar years
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, 27.1 percent.
(vi) For assessments made during
calendar year 2010, 27.3 percent.
(vii) For assessments made during
calendar year 2016, 28.5738 percent.
(viii) For assessments made during
calendar year 2017, 28.4691 percent.
(ix) For assessments made during
calendar year 2018, 28.4344 percent.
(3) Conforming amendment.--The last sentence of the
paragraph headed ``Contributions to International
Organizations'' in Public Law 92-544, as amended by
section 203 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act,
Fiscal Year 1976 (22 U.S.C. 287e note), is amended by
striking ``conducted by or under the auspices of the
United Nations or'' and inserting ``(other than United
Nations peacekeeping operations) conducted''.
* * * * * * *
Changes in the Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following statements are
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the
application of existing law.
Language is included in various parts of the bill to
continue ongoing activities in fiscal year 2020 that require
annual authorization or additional legislation, which to date
has not been enacted. The bill includes provisions that place
limitations on the use of funds in the bill or change existing
limitations and that might under some circumstances be
construed as changing the application of existing law. The bill
includes a number of provisions that have been virtually
unchanged for many years, which are technically considered
legislation. The bill provides that several of the
appropriations shall remain available for obligation beyond the
current fiscal year. In all cases it is deemed desirable to
carry such language in order to provide for orderly
administration of such programs and effective use of funds. In
various places in the bill, the Committee recommendation
continues the prior year practice of designating amounts within
appropriation accounts in order to fund specific programs and
has adjusted some designations.
The bill contains general provisions and other language
that have been carried in the bill in past years that include
limitations and conditions on funding provided in the Act.
Additional changes in the fiscal year 2020 bill, which may
be construed as changing existing law, are as follows:
Title I
Under Diplomatic Programs, language carried in the prior
year providing transfer authority to other accounts within
Administration of Foreign Affairs; limitations on certain
programs, offices, and activities; designating the availability
and use of certain fees and transfers from other agencies; and
conditioning the obligation of certain funds made available for
security training.
Under Office of Inspector General, language carried in the
prior year notwithstanding section 209(a)(1) of the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 as it relates to post inspections.
Under Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs, language
carried in the prior year designating amounts for certain
activities, and authorizing the use of certain fees.
Under Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance,
language similar to the prior year placing limitations on the
uses of funds, and restricting representation expenses.
Under Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service,
language similar to the prior year permitting the transfer of
not to exceed $1,000,000 to Repatriation Loans Program Account.
Under Repatriation Loans Program Account, language similar
to the prior year directing that costs shall be defined as in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and capping
total loan principle.
Under Contributions to International Organizations,
language similar to the prior year requiring submission to the
Committees on Appropriations of the United Nations biennial
budget, limiting the use of funds, and establishing a number of
notification and reporting requirements.
Under Contributions for International Peacekeeping
Activities, language similar to the prior year limiting the use
of funds and establishing a number of notification and
reporting requirements.
Under International Boundary and Water Commission, United
States and Mexico and American Sections, International
Commissions, language carried in the prior year providing a
limitation on the amount available for representation expenses.
Under International Fisheries Commissions, language carried
in the prior year providing authority to pay United States
expenses in advance, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3324.
Under International Broadcasting Operations, language
carried in the prior year setting limitations on funds
available for certain expenses and receipts, requiring the
United States Agency for Global Media (formerly the
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)) to make funds available
to expand unrestricted access to information on the Internet,
requiring a review of certain programs, restricting
representation expenses, and requiring notifications.
Under Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program, language
carried in the prior year limiting the use of funds relating to
compensation.
Under National Endowment for Democracy, language similar to
prior years designating funds for certain purposes.
Under Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage
Abroad, language carried in the prior year allowing the
Commission to procure certain services notwithstanding
paragraph (3) of section 312304(b) of Public Law 113-287 during
fiscal year 2020 and requiring notification.
Under United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom, language carried in the prior year placing a
limitation on representation expenses.
Under Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe,
Salaries and Expenses, language carried in the prior year
limiting representation expenses.
Under Congressional-Executive Commission on the People's
Republic of China and United States-China Economic and Security
Review Commission, language carried in the prior year placing a
limitation on representation expenses.
Under United States-China Economic and Security Review
Commission, language carried in the prior year incorporating by
reference several provisos relating to personnel and financial
management authorities that were carried in the Department of
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Appropriations Act,
2010.
Title II
Under Operating Expenses, language carried in the prior
year limiting financing of construction or entering into
leases, allowing transfers of funds, and restricting
representation and entertainment expenses.
Under Capital Investment Fund, language carried in the
prior year requiring notifications.
Title III
Under Global Health Programs, language similar to the prior
year placing restrictions and requirements related to family
planning and abortion, requiring direct apportionment to
agencies, designating the use of funds, requiring
notifications, and setting a cap on administrative expenses.
Under Development Assistance new language is included
requiring the direct apportionment of funding to USAID within
30 days of enactment of this Act.
Under International Disaster Assistance, new language is
included requiring the direct apportionment of funding to USAID
within 30 days of enactment of this Act.
Under Transition Initiatives, language similar to the prior
year designating the use of funds, requiring a report prior to
the initiation of a country program, requiring prior
consultations, and allowing the use of additional funds in the
Act for the same purposes as funds under this heading following
consultation.
Under Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia,
language modified from the prior year providing notwithstanding
authority and related notification requirements, designating
coordination responsibilities, certain payments, and
designating certain funds for purposes of administrative
authorities.
Under Migration and Refugee Assistance, language similar to
the prior year designating amounts for small-scale emergency
humanitarian requirements, and for refugees resettling in
Israel.
Under Peace Corps, language similar to the prior year
limiting representation expenses, requiring consultations,
allowing the Director to transfer funds to help mitigate
exchange rate losses, and placing limitations on certain
activities.
Under Millennium Challenge Corporation, language similar to
the prior year placing a cap on administrative expenses,
establishing certain funding conditions and notification
requirements, limiting and restricting entertainment and
representation allowances.
Under Inter-American Foundation, language carried in the
prior year limiting representation expenses.
Under United States African Development Foundation,
language similar to the prior year allowing for the investment
of project funding by grantees, limiting the use of interest
earned, allowing certain building leases, and requiring a
report.
Under International Affairs Technical Assistance, language
similar to the prior year providing funds notwithstanding the
location of the performance of a personal service contract.
Title IV
Under Economic Support Fund new language is included
requiring the notification of funds designated for the
Diplomatic Progress Fund.
Under International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement,
language carried in the prior year giving the Department of
State the authority to provide excess property to a foreign
country, subject to notification, waiving a section of the
Foreign Assistance Act, subject to notification, and requiring
notification for certain transfers.
Under Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and
Related Programs, language carried in the prior year
designating the use of funds, providing authorities for funds,
and establishing certain funding conditions and notification
requirements.
Under Peacekeeping Operations, language carried in the
prior year designating the use of funds, providing certain
authorities, establishing prohibitions for the use of funds,
and requiring notifications.
Under International Military Education and Training,
language carried in the prior year allowing certain civilian
personnel to receive training and limiting entertainment
allowances.
Under Foreign Military Financing Program, language similar
to the prior year designating the use of funds, requiring
consultations and notifications, establishing requirements for
the disbursement and transfer of certain funds, establishing
limitations and conditions on funds, and limiting
representation and entertainment expenses.
Title V
Under Global Environment Facility, language carried in the
prior year regarding a reporting requirement and notifications
from the Secretary of the Treasury.
Under Contribution to the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, new language for the United
States share of the paid-in portion of the increases in capital
stock.
Under Contributions to the International Fund for
Agricultural Development, language carried from the prior year
to require reports from the Secretary of the Treasury.
Title VI
Under Export-Import Bank of the United States, Program
Account, language carried in the prior year allowing for
certain expenditures and setting limitations on funds.
Under Export-Import Bank of the United States,
Administrative Expenses, language carried in the prior year
limiting representation expenses, allowing for the collection
of certain fees, and requiring notifications.
Under Export-Import Bank of the United States, Receipts
Collected, language carried in the prior year requiring
sufficient fees to cover costs.
Under United States International Development Finance
Corporation, new language making funds available for the Office
of Inspector General.
Under United States International Development Finance
Corporation, Corporate Capital Account, new language making
funds available to carry out the activities described in the
BUILD Act of 2018, and limitation of administrative expenses
and representation expenses.
Under United States International Development Finance
Corporation, Program Account, new language making funds
available to carry out the activities described in the BUILD
Act of 2018 with the limitations described in such Act.
Under Trade and Development Agency, language similar to the
prior year restricting representation and entertainment
allowances and designating the use of funds.
Title VII
Sec. 7001 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding allowances and differentials.
Sec. 7002 includes language carried in the prior year
requiring agencies to provide quarterly reports on the
cumulative balances of any unobligated funds.
Sec. 7003 includes language carried in the prior year
requiring that consulting service contracts shall be a matter
of public record.
Sec. 7004 includes language modified from the prior year
with respect to the construction and use of diplomatic
facilities, including continued directives regarding
consultation and notification requirements for new diplomatic
facilities, the allocation of agency shares under the Capital
Security Cost Sharing program, and certain authorities
concerning the United States Marine Corps under the Marine
Security Guard program.
Sec. 7005 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding certain personnel actions and the authority to
transfer funds between appropriations accounts.
Sec. 7006 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding certain Department of State and USAID management
authorities, conditions, directives and reporting and
certification requirements. This section merges language
previously carried in section 7057, USAID Management.
Sec. 7007 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting assistance for the governments of Cuba, North
Korea, Iran, and Syria.
Sec. 7008 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting assistance for countries whose duly elected head of
government is deposed by military coup or decree, or a coup or
decree in which the military plays a decisive role, requires a
determination, and provides a waiver under certain conditions.
Sec. 7009 includes language modified from the prior year
setting limitations and conditions on transfers between
appropriations accounts, requiring audits of certain transfers
and reporting requirements.
Sec. 7010 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting first-class travel and setting certain limitations
on computer networks and the promotion of tobacco.
Sec. 7011 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding the availability of funds appropriated by this Act
and language placing a limitation on such authority until the
Secretary of State submits a report.
Sec. 7012 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting assistance for countries in default and allowing
exceptions in certain circumstances.
Sec. 7013 includes language carried in the prior year
withholding assistance to a country in which the assistance is
subject to taxation, unless the Secretary of State makes
certain determinations, and includes a reporting requirement.
Sec. 7014 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding the reservation of funds and the designation of
certain funding levels.
Sec. 7015 includes language modified from the prior year
establishing the notification requirements regarding funds made
available in the Act.
Sec. 7016 includes language modified from the prior year
concerning public posting of reports and documents and records
management.
Sec. 7017 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting the use of funds for programs in contravention of
this Act.
Sec. 7018 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting funding for abortions and involuntary
sterilization.
Sec. 7019 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding funding directives specified in tables in the report
accompanying the Act.
Sec. 7020 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding the use of representation expenses.
Sec. 7021 includes language similar to the prior year
prohibiting assistance for governments that support
international terrorism.
Sec. 7022 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding authorization requirements.
Sec. 7023 includes language carried in the prior year
defining the terms ``program'', ``project'', and ``activity''.
Sec. 7024 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding certain authorities for the Peace Corps, Inter-
American Foundation, and the United States African Development
Foundation.
Sec. 7025 includes language modified from the prior year
relating to commerce, trade, and surplus commodities.
Sec. 7026 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding the requirement that separate accounts be established
for cash transfers and assistance that generates local
currencies and establishing certain conditions on the use of
those funds.
Sec. 7027 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding assistance through nongovernmental organizations and
assistance provided under the Food for Peace Act.
Sec. 7028 includes language modified from the prior year
conditioning funds provided to local organizations through
limited competitions.
Sec. 7029 includes language modified from the prior year
relating to international financial institutions.
Sec. 7030 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding multi-year pledges.
Sec. 7031 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding management of direct assistance to governments,
budget transparency of recipient countries, corruption and
human rights violations, and the foreign assistance website.
Sec. 7032 contains language modified from the prior year
regarding democracy programs funded in this Act.
Sec. 7033 includes language modified from the prior year on
assistance regarding international religious freedom.
Sec. 7034 includes language modified from the prior year
defining terms used in the Act and granting, extending, or
otherwise modifying certain special authorities relating to
funds made available in, and operations supported by, the Act.
Sec. 7035 includes language similar to the prior year
related to assistance, authorities, limitations, and
notifications regarding law enforcement and other security
matters.
Sec. 7036 includes language carried in the prior year
establishing restrictions on enterprise funds.
Sec. 7037 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding authority for the President to draw down certain
funds to support UN war crimes tribunals or commissions.
Sec. 7038 includes language carried in the prior year
establishing limitations on the use of funds in support of a
Palestinian state. This section includes a certification
requirement that such a state should enact a constitution
assuring the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and respect
for human rights for its citizens in order to merit assistance.
Sec. 7039 includes language modified from the prior year
placing limitations on any assistance for the Palestinian
Authority and the prohibitions on funds to the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas, and includes language
carried in the prior year restricting assistance to the
Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.
Sec. 7040 includes language modified from the prior year
including provisions placing conditions on assistance for the
West Bank and Gaza.
Sec. 7041 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Sec. 7042 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in Africa.
Sec. 7043 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in East Asia and the Pacific.
Sec. 7044 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in South and Central Asia.
Sec. 7045 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Sec. 7046 includes language similar to the prior year
regarding directives and conditions concerning assistance for
countries in Europe and Eurasia.
Sec. 7047 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding stabilization and development in regions impacted by
extremism and conflict.
Sec. 7048 includes language modified from the prior year
relating to conditions on funds for the UN and other
international organizations.
Sec. 7049 includes language carried in the prior year
regarding timely access by Inspectors General to records,
documents, or other materials available to a department or
agency of the United States.
Sec. 7050 includes language modified from the prior year
concerning funding levels and conditions for global Internet
freedom programs.
Sec. 7051 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting funds for the use of torture.
Sec. 7052 includes language carried in the prior year
relating to aircraft transfer and coordination.
Sec. 7053 includes language carried in the prior year
relating to unpaid parking fines and real property taxes owed
by foreign countries.
Sec. 7054 includes language similar to the prior year
regarding the International Monetary Fund.
Sec. 7055 includes language carried in the prior year
prohibiting funds for a country that does not cooperate in the
extradition to the United States of certain individuals.
Sec. 7056 includes language modified from the prior year
establishing certain limitations on assistance that may impact
jobs in the United States.
Sec. 7057 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding assistance provided to UNFPA and to address women's
health.
Sec. 7058 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding global health activities, providing certain funding
and authorities to prepare for, and respond to, emerging health
threats.
Sec. 7059 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding programs that support gender equality.
Sec. 7060 includes language modified from the prior year
regarding assistance for programs related to basic education,
higher education, environment, food security and agriculture
development, microenterprise, reconciliation programs,
trafficking in persons, and water and sanitation.
Sec. 7061 includes language modified from the prior year
requiring operating and spend plans for funds provided in this
Act.
Sec. 7062 includes language modified from the prior year
concerning consultation, notification, and reporting
requirements involving any agency reorganization.
Sec, 7063 includes language carried in the prior year
providing certain conditions on amounts designated as Overseas
Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism.
Sec. 7064 includes new language regarding restrictions on
foreign non-governmental organizations.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following table lists the
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not
authorized by law for the period concerned:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations in
Agency/Activity Last Year Authorization Last Year of Appropriations in
Authorized Level Authorization the Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of State/ 2003.............. $5,290,390,000.... $5,874,914,000.... $12,475,837,000
Administration of Foreign
Affairs.
Department of State/ 2003.............. $1,529,702,000.... $1,672,000,000.... $3,648,699,000
International Organizations.
Department of State/ 2003.............. $71,385,000....... $57,730,000....... $141,360,000
International Commissions.
U.S. Agency for Global Media 2003.............. $644,486,000...... $599,560,000...... $807,896,000
(formerly Broadcasting Board of
Governors).
Department of State/Related 2003.............. $72,000,000....... $69,986,000....... $254,973,000
Programs.
United States Institute of Peace 2014.............. Such sums as may $37,000,000....... $38,634,000
be necessary.
USAID/Operating Expenses........ 1987.............. $387,000,000...... $340,600,000...... $1,404,756,000
USAID/Capital Investment Fund... None.............. NA................ NA................ $210,300,000
USAID/Inspector General......... 1987.............. $21,750,000....... $21,000,000....... $75,500,000
Global Health Programs (see note Population (1987); Population Population $3,366,500,000
below). Health and ($290,000,000); ($234,625,000); (includes up to
Disease Health and Health and $750,000,000 for
Prevention Disease Disease Population)
(1987); Child Prevention Prevention
Survival Fund ($180,000,000); ($166,762,000);
(1987). Child Survival Child Survival
Fund Fund (75,000,000).
($75,000,000).
Global Health Programs: HIV/AIDS 2013.............. $48,000,000,000 $5,720,499,000.... $5,930,000,000
over 5 years.
Development Assistance (see note Agriculture; Agriculture Agriculture $4,164,867,000
below). (1987) Education ($760,000,000); ($693,613,000); (program levels
(1987); Energy Education Education to difficult to
and selected ($180,000,000); ($155,000,000); determine due to
development Energy and Energy and changing
activities (1987). selected selected definitions of
development development programs since
activities activities last authorized)
($207,000,000). ($149,990,000).
International Disaster 2018.............. $2,794,184,000.... $2,696,534,000.... $4,435,312,000
Assistance.
Transition Initiatives.......... None.............. NA................ NA................ $92,043,000
Democracy Fund.................. None.............. NA................ NA................ $273,700,000
Assistance for Europe, Eurasia 1993.............. $410,000,000...... N/A............... 770,334,000
and Central Asia.
Migration and Refugee Assistance 2003.............. $820,000,000...... $781,884,000...... $3,532,000,000
Peace Corps..................... 2003.............. $365,000,000...... $295,069,000...... $425,000,000
Millennium Challenge Corporation 2005.............. Such sums as may $1,488,000,000.... $905,000,000
be necessary.
Inter-American Foundation....... 1993.............. $31,000,000....... $30,960,000....... $32,500,000
United States African 1987.............. $3,872,000........ $6,500,000........ $30,000,000
Development Foundation
Department of the Treasury, 1999.............. $5,000,000........ $1,500,000........ $30,000,000
International Affairs Technical
Assistance.
Economic Support Fund........... 1987.............. $3,800,000,000.... $3,555,000,000.... $2,178,763,000
International Narcotics Control 1994.............. $171,500,000...... $100,000,000...... $1,410,665,000
and Law Enforcement.
Nonproliferation, Anti- 2003.............. $226,200,000...... NA................ $886,850,000
terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs (see note below).
Peacekeeping Operations......... 1999.............. $83,000,000....... $76,500,000....... $516,348,000
International Military Education 2003.............. $85,000,000....... $79,480,000....... $110,875,000
and Training.
Foreign Military Financing...... 2003.............. $4,107,000,000.... $6,104,632,000.... $6,109,121,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Programs recommended herein under ``Global Health Programs''' were last authorized under a different
account structure than that recommended in this bill; the account structure included a number of functional
accounts, as described above.
Note: Programs recommended herein under ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs''
include some major programs for which authorizations of appropriations were provided for fiscal year 2002;
these programs include $73,000,000 authorized for antiterrorism assistance and $142,000,000 authorized for
nonproliferation activities. In addition, some programs now in this account were previously in accounts which
had authorizations of appropriations in prior years.
Comparison With Budget Resolution
Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act
required the report accompanying a bill providing new budget
authority to contain a statement comparing the levels in the
bill to the suballocations submitted under section 302(b) of
the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution
on the budget for the applicable fiscal year.
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This Bill
---------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
Authority Outlays Authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee
allocations to its subcommittees: Subcommittee
on State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs
Discretionary............................... 48,381 48,750 \1\56,381 50,761
Mandatory................................... 159 159 \1\159 159
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority
Note.--Consistent with the funding recommended in the bill for overseas contingency operations/global war on
terrorism, in accordance with section 251(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, and after the bill is reported to the House, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget will provide a
revised section 302(a) allocation reflecting an additional $8,000,000,000 in discretionary budget authority
and $2,174,000,000 in associated outlays. That new allocation will eliminate the technical difference prior to
Floor consideration.
Five-Year Outlay Projections
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
(Public Law 93-344), as amended, the following table contains
five-year projections associated with the budget authority
provided in the accompanying bill.
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation:
2020.................................................... ........... ........... \1\ 17,220
2021.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 14,976
2022.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 10,133
2023.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 5,512
2024 and future years................................... ........... ........... ........... 7,144
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
Financial Assistance to State and Local Governments
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, the Congressional
Budget Office has provided the following estimates of new
budget authority and outlays provided by the accompanying bill
for financial assistance to State and local governments.
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial assistance to State and \1\0 0
local governments for 2020.......
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
Program Duplication
No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Committee Hearings
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the
116th Congress--
The following hearings were used to develop or consider the
State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2020:
The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related
Agencies held an oversight hearing on February 27, 2019,
entitled ``Oversight of U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) Programs and Policies.'' The Subcommittee
received testimony from:
The Honorable Mark Green, Administrator, U.S. Agency for
International Development
The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related
Agencies held a budget hearing on March 6, 2019 entitled
``Member Day Hearing.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from:
The Honorable Ed Case, Member of Congress
The Honorable David N. Cicilline, Member of Congress
The Honorable Eliot Engel, Member of Congress
The Honorable Adriano Espaillat, Member of Congress
The Honorable Brian Fitzpatrick, Member of Congress
The Honorable Bill Foster, Member of Congress
The Honorable Jim McGovern, Member of Congress
The Honorable Frank Pallone, Member of Congress
The Honorable Adam B. Schiff, Member of Congress
The Honorable Jackie Speier, Member of Congress
The Honorable Ann Wagner, Member of Congress
The Honorable Ted Yoho, Member of Congress
The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related
Agencies held a budget hearing on March 12, 2019, entitled
``Public Witness Hearing.'' The Subcommittee received testimony
from:
Alice Albright, CEO, Global Partnership for Education
Ronnate Asirwatham, Senior Policy Advisor, Global
Campaign for Education--U.S. Chapter (GCE-US)
Anthony Banbury, President and CEO, International
Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street
Vince Blaser, Director, Frontline Health Workers
Coalition, IntraHealth International
Jeanne Bourgault, President and CEO, Internews
Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director, RESULTS and
RESULTS Educational Fund
Chris Collins, President, Friends of the Global Fight
Against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Candace Debnam, Co-Chair of the Basic Education
Coalition's Board of Directors and Executive Director
of School to School International, Basic Education
Coalition
Mel Duncan, Director of Advocacy and Outreach,
Nonviolent Peaceforce U.S.
Francoise Girard, President, International Women's
Health Coalition
Heather Ignatius, Director of U.S. and Global
Advocacy, PATH
Raffi Karakashian, Government Affairs Director,
Armenian National Committee of America
Michael Klosson, Vice President for Policy and
Humanitarian Response, Save the Children
Howard Kohr, CEO, AIPAC
Metodija Koloski, President, United Macedonian
Diaspora
Van Krikorian, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees,
Armenian Assembly of America
Nick Larigakis, President and COO, American Hellenic
Institute
Sevinj Mammadova, Board Member, U.S. Azeris Network
(USAN)
Mary McQueen, President, National Center for State
Courts
William ``Bill'' O'Keefe, Executive Vice President
for Mission, Mobilization, and Advocacy, Catholic
Relief Services
Loyce Pace, President and Executive Director, Global
Health Council
Dr. David Patton, Acting President, American Councils
for International Education
Emily Rice, Key Club International President, Kiwanis
International
Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee
Service/USA
Gayle Smith, CEO, ONE Campaign
Anastasia Staten, Chair of the Board, The HALO Trust
(USA)
Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, The Asia Foundation
Caryl Stern, President and CEO, UNICEF USA
Michele Sumilas, Managing Director, Bread for the
World
Thomas Susman, Strategic Advisor, Governmental
Affairs, American Bar Association
Kate Wall, Senior Legislative Manager, International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President for Policy and
Political Affairs, Human Rights Campaign
Peter Yeo, President, Better World Campaign
The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related
Agencies held a budget hearing on March 27, 2019 entitled,
``Department of State Budget Request for FY 2020.'' The
Subcommittee received testimony from:
The Honorable Mike Pompeo, Secretary, Department of State
Comparative Statement of New Budget (Obligational) Authority
The following table provides a detailed summary, for each
department and agency, comparing the amounts recommended in the
bill with fiscal year 2019 enacted amounts and budget estimates
presented for fiscal year 2020:
MINORITY VIEWS
We appreciate the collegial and collaborative efforts of
Full Committee and Subcommittee Chairwoman, Nita Lowey, in
producing a State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations bill that includes bipartisan priorities that
support our national security and reflect the character of our
country.
Chief among them is the $3,300,000,000 in Foreign Military
Financing Program for our great ally Israel. This support is
particularly timely given Iran's repeated threats against
Israel, as well as its aggressive regional and foreign
policies, including its use of nonstate militias and sectarian
armed groups and efforts to export its revolutionary agenda to
the region. The bill also maintains funding at last year's
level for other close partners in the Near East, including
Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. Funding is maintained at the
current level for embassy security to help ensure the safety
and security of our diplomats and development experts serving
abroad. Funding is also continued to strengthen international
efforts to combat the flow of drugs into our country. In
addition, the bill continues support for important programs
within global health, such as maternal and child health,
nutrition, tuberculosis, the PEPFAR program, and additional
resources for the United States contribution to the Global Fund
to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. These are only some
of the examples where we have agreement on both sides of the
aisle, and we thank the Chair for accommodating as many shared
priorities as possible.
We also appreciate the Chair accepting Republican
amendments in our Committee markup on funding for the Indo-
Pacific region in recognition of the United States as an
enduring Pacific Power, and with respect to certain models of
conservation in Kenya. In addition, we are pleased we were able
to find common ground with the majority in the Managers'
Amendment to address several issues important to our Members
such as: taking the first step to provide the Development
Finance Corporation with the appropriate resources and tools it
needs, including the amount and treatment of equity investment,
so that this new agency can fulfill its mandate and give
developing nations a better alternative to predatory Chinese
financing; improving the H2A visa process; strengthening
cybersecurity programs with our allies and partners abroad;
enhancing oversight of Confucius Institutes operating in the
United States and their relationships with the government of
the People's Republic of China.
The bill as reported by the Committee provides
$48,381,000,000 in base discretionary budget authority, which
is nearly a 5 percent increase over the fiscal year 2019
enacted level. With the additional $8,000,000,000 included as
Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism, the
total amount for fiscal year 2020 is $56,381,000,000. Because
the increase in the allocation was made in the absence of a
bipartisan, bicameral agreement that the President will accept,
and the inclusion of partisan riders attacking pro-life and
climate positions, we do not support advancing the bill as
written at this time.
Amendments were offered by Committee Republicans to address
spending concerns and on partisan riders that undo consensus
agreements from prior years on pro-life and climate issues. Mr.
Rutherford offered two amendments that reduced the spending
levels in the bill. His first amendment reduced funds for
peacekeeping contributions by the same amount made available in
the bill to pay arrears for certain fiscal years. Our
Republican Members supported this amendment in recognition that
the United Nations has only just begun to tackle long-overdue
reforms, and that paying arrears without additional
requirements for reform is short-sighted and a wasteful use of
taxpayer funds. Although the amendment was defeated 22-29,
officials at the United Nations should know there are many
Members of Congress who expect current reform efforts to
continue and look forward to the additional changes needed to
address the scales of assessment so the United States can pay
its fair share. Mr. Rutherford's second amendment proposed a
common sense reduction in spending through a rescission of
prior year unobligated balances from the Economic Support Fund
account. Given the changing needs around the globe, these funds
are not only unobligated, they also are unallocated.
Overlooking them does harm to advancing transparent and
effective foreign assistance. Republican Committee Members
supported this amendment because United States ``soft power''
requires smart oversight. The amendment was defeated 23-29.
Mr. Amodei offered an amendment to strike two controversial
provisions in the bill related to climate policy that allow
funds to go to the Green Climate Fund and that prohibit funds
from being used to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Republicans supported this amendment because the Green Climate
Fund lacks oversight and because the provision ties the hands
of the President in conducting foreign policy. We are
particularly troubled to see that the bill retroactively
applies these provisions to prior acts, which effectively
unwinds agreements made by this Committee on a bipartisan
basis.
The Republican Committee Members were unified in their
concerns about language undoing pro-life measures. Mr.
Fleischmann offered an amendment striking the increase mandated
in the bill for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and
inserting a funding prohibition for UNFPA. Our Members
supported this amendment in recognition that UNFPA violates the
most basic respect for human life through its support for
coercive abortion and forced sterilization. The amendment was
not agreed to on a vote of 23-29.
Lastly, Dr. Harris offered an amendment striking all
language related to the Mexico City Policy, making the bill
identical to current law on this issue. As drafted by the
Majority, the bill goes further than just prohibiting funds for
the implementation of the expanded Mexico City Policy; it
amends authorizing statute to make the Mexico City Policy
permanently prohibited. The amendment was not agreed to, and we
believe this is most unfortunate. The President has said he
will veto any legislation that is sent to him that undoes the
status quo on pro-life protections. In rejecting the amendment,
the Majority has insisted on keeping two provisions that will
result in a veto of this bill.
In closing, we remain concerned that this bill has been
developed without a sustainable and widely supported budget
agreement and includes partisan riders that will jeopardize
enactment of any final legislation. We want to work with the
Majority as we proceed through the legislative process so that
the many bipartisan issues of great national importance in this
bill will receive the support they deserve.
Kay Granger.
Harold Rogers.