Rick Allen: “This amendment allows the administration to be extremely flexible in finding an approach. It could involve training…”

“This amendment allows the administration to be extremely flexible in finding an approach. It could involve training, equipment, or a range of other measures. I do not want to micro-manage this process. I want to leave this in the hands of those in the administration with expertise on this issue. I would defer, in large measure, to State Department officials, especially those posted overseas who are dealing with the problem on a daily basis, to come up with a workable strategy. However, I do believe that this is a problem that requires a coherent plan and a coordinated approach by the United States Government. And, I believe that the State Department, in close consultation with the United States Trade Representative, USTR, and the Department of Commerce, should formulate a detailed strategy for the use of these funds before they are obligated. Other agencies, such as the Patent and Trademark Office, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Library of Congress, have expertise on this issue. They can be extremely helpful in implementing these programs, especially with respect to training individuals from developing nations.”