Benjamin Gilman: “I rise in support of H.R. 1757, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. The bill before…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1757, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for fiscal years 1998 and 1999. The bill before the House today includes a basic reauthorization of the operations of the Department of State and related agencies and the consolidation of some of those foreign affairs agencies. This bill is the product of significant oversight and a bipartisan effort. By way of this bill, support is provided for our Government's activities abroad, to include U.S. embassies, American citizen services, passport and visa issuance, and international broadcasting programs such as Radio Free Asia and broadcasting to Cuba. In addition, it funds United States-Mexico and United States-Canada commissions that are tasked with matters dealing with fisheries, with sewage disposal, and other border issues. We included most of the administration's legislative requests. However, in adherence to concerns of the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on the Budget, a few of those provisions have been deleted from this bill. The bill authorizes $6.1 billion for fiscal year 1998 and fiscal year 1999, and is $200 million below the President's request. Funding for a strong U.S. presence abroad is in our vital national interest and provides the platform for a myriad of U.S. overseas interests.”