James T. Callahan: “Mr. Chairman, two of the three remaining amendments, ironically, are amendments that impact a possible cut to aid in…”

“Mr. Chairman, two of the three remaining amendments, ironically, are amendments that impact a possible cut to aid in Ethiopia and to Kenya, two nations in Africa. I find that rather amusing, but let me compliment the gentlewoman from Texas. I chastised this House a few minutes ago about Members of Congress becoming pseudo-Secretaries of State, and travelling all over the world, and coming back here and dictating policy to the administration. I explained my philosophy about the lessons that civics teaches us-- that the executive branch has the authority and the responsibility for foreign policy, apart from appropriations. The gentlewoman's amendment does not dictate to the administration. She has a legitimate concern that she has brought here, and she wants to make certain that the administration hears her message. In her amendment she states that the State Department should closely monitor and take into account human rights progress in Ethiopia. Mr. Chairman, that is what the Congress should do.”