Young Oak Kim: “This amendment would have catastrophic consequences for priorities our conference champions, including elimination of…”

“This amendment would have catastrophic consequences for priorities our conference champions, including elimination of religious freedom programming, gutting the Counter China Influence Fund, and hamstringing international cybersecurity capacity building at a time when each of those foreign policy priorities is under great pressure. The funds from the Economic Support Fund are available to protect human rights and freedom of the press, combat human trafficking and corruption, and increase public accountability. This account goes to countries of strategic significance to the United States and often intended to promote the political and economic stability of our U.S. allies. Mr. Chair, the fiscal year 2024 bill already marks a $2.4 billion reduction from the President's request and a $1.3 billion reduction from the fiscal year 2023 level. The dramatic shift proposed in this amendment would be an absolute whiplash for our partners and allies overseas and detrimental to many of the GOP and bipartisan priorities funded through this account. Mr. Chair, I would go on about the priorities that would be lost if this amendment were adopted, like training for Taiwan and Cuba democracy programs, but I will simply say this amendment is a disservice to responsible and effective diplomacy. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment, with all due respect.”