Rod Grams: “During the negotiations to achieve passage of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1997, a number of…”

“During the negotiations to achieve passage of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1997, a number of concessions had to be made to accommodate competing interests. One such example was the continuation of the authorization for the East-West Center at the current level of $10 million for both fiscal years 1998 and 1999. According to its budget justification, the East-West Center seeks to improve understanding and relations between Asia, the Pacific islands, and America. While this may be a worthwhile endeavor, we must question whether it merits a direct subsidy when the center seems to duplicate State Department activities and other private business, academic, cultural exchange, and tourism programs. The East-West Center already receives a high proportion of its funding from private sources and project specific Federal grants. It seems that it could continue its core functions without the American taxpayer footing the bill. Even the Clinton administration has recognized the need to terminate Federal funding for this center. The administration's budget summary noted that the effort to phase out governmental funding for the East-West Center will continue with its request of $7 million. Yesterday we took a step backwards from achieving that goal. It is my sincere hope that the appropriators will reduce funding from the current level.”