Hal Rogers: “This amendment would cut funding for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Affairs account by $209…”

“This amendment would cut funding for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Affairs account by $209 million. That is a 16 percent reduction in the fight against narcotics. There is already money in the bill for TB, $241 million, which is the same as current levels, and that exceeds the last Obama request and the first Trump request for TB. It also includes another $1.35 billion for the Global Fund to fight a combination of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB, which includes additional funding for TB programs. So there is already money in the bill for TB. This would cut the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Affairs account by $209 million, a 16 percent cut, when it is not really needed. Funding for this account supports counterdrug and law enforcement activities, strengthens the rule of law, and increases border security. Mr. Chairman, I just came back with my subcommittee from a trip to Ukraine and Georgia, and I understand by seeing it firsthand the importance of our assistance that helps governments combat corruption and improve the rule of law. A portion of this funding also helps partners in our own hemisphere fight drug trafficking and violent crime before it reaches the border of the United States. Undoubtedly, every agency can do more with more, but the allocation for this bill was cut by 17 percent from last year.…”