Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1157, the Department of State Authorization Act of 2021, which I have introduced alongside my good friend and partner, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mike McCaul. H.R. 1157 is a comprehensive, bipartisan measure that builds on the work of several prior Congresses to broadly authorize the management and operation of the Department of State. This sort of bill should be a regular part of our work. However, it has been nearly two decades since the State Department authorization bill was enacted into law. With every passing year, this represents another missed opportunity to ensure the Department of State and our Nation's diplomats have the comprehensive support they need to advance America's interests around the world. While we have made progress over the last couple of years, including in 2019, when the House passed an earlier version of this bill, we must finally seize the historic opportunity to do what we have failed to do in the past 10 Congresses. {time} 1215 Diplomacy and development are critical tools for advancing the United States' foreign policy and national security objectives, for protecting human rights and the rule of law around the world, for deepening relationships with America's longstanding partners and allies, and for forging new relationships around the world.…”