Benjamin Gilman: “the Rule I have referenced prohibits changes to law on general appropriations bills. This language amends the Foreign…”

“the Rule I have referenced prohibits changes to law on general appropriations bills. This language amends the Foreign Assistance Act to authorize the establishment of a working capital fund for the Agency for International Development. The Administration, which evidently wants this provision, should have approached the Committee with legislative jurisdiction, the Committee on International Relations. Instead, the Administration engaged another Committee that lacks jurisdiction to amend the Foreign Assistance Act. This is an unfortunate attitude and practice that we have seen from time to time in this and other Administrations and I regret that we have to consume the time of the Appropriations Committee on this sort of matter in this way. The Administration has not submitted a draft bill to our Committee, nor have they engaged our International Relations Committee in any meaningful way. I do understand that the Committee on Foreign Relations in the other body has reviewed similar legislation on a working capital fund for the Agency for International Development and our Committee on International Relations would be happy to work with the other body and the Administration from here on out and see if this provision is meritorious. Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I must respectfully insist on my point of order.”