Doug Bereuter: “this Member supports and is deeply appreciative of the efforts of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice…”

“this Member supports and is deeply appreciative of the efforts of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State, to address the many concerns within their jurisdiction. However, this Member rises to address a particular concern that is considered by the legislation before this body today. In particular, it is important to understand the security risks faced by U.S. embassy personnel and other public servants who are tasked with advancing America's interests overseas. Following the devastating embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel (OPAP) was created. This Panel's recent report concluded that the U.S. overseas presence is near a state of crisis. Insecure and often decrepit facilities, obsolete information technology, outmoded administrative and human resource practices and poor allocation of resources threaten to cripple our nation's overseas capabilities. The percentage of the U.S. budget devoted to international affairs has been declining for four decades. The international affairs budget is now about 20% less in today's dollars than it was on average during the late 1970's and 1980's. The legislation before this body today recommends a level for the Department of State and international broadcasting at $6.6 billion. Although below the Administration's request, it represents a $300 million increase over last year's enacted level.”