Hal Rogers: “Mr. Chairman, the bill provides an increase of $13 million over the current level for the U.S. Trade Representative…”

“Mr. Chairman, the bill provides an increase of $13 million over the current level for the U.S. Trade Representative, International Trade Administration, and International Trade Commission. This funding continues the overseas presence of the foreign commercial service at the current level of operations. Likewise, the bill provides full base funding for the Department of State to continue current their overseas staffing levels. If there is a requirement for personnel with specific expertise in trade monitoring, there is certainly room within the overall funding level to redirect funds to that priority. So there is plenty of money in this bill for the purposes for which the gentleman is concerned.”