On the recordJune 13, 2019
The amendment applies an indiscriminate 14 percent across-the-board cut to all programs, projects, and activities in the bill, apart from those administered by the Defense Department. The members of our committee worked hard to craft a bill that provides the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator the necessary tools to advance United States economic and security interests abroad. While we did not agree on every issue, the bill prioritizes the programs and activities that Members on both sides of the aisle requested. For example, under the amendment, global health programs would be cut by $1.3 billion, including drastic cuts to HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, family planning, and infectious disease programs. Humanitarian assistance, including funds to respond to those displaced by the crises in Venezuela, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and South Sudan, would be cut by $1.5 billion. Embassy security, which ensures the protection of our diplomatic and development personnel and facilities overseas, would be cut by $850 million. Development assistance, which supports basic education, water, sanitation programs, efforts to combat human and wildlife trafficking, and global food security activities in the developing world would be cut by $583 million. Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
