On the recordJanuary 25, 1994
we all welcome my colleagues back to Washington and to this, the second session of the 103d Congress. I am only hopeful that we can get the year off to a fast and productive start with consideration of S. 1281, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for fiscal years 1993 and 1994. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the Department of State, the USIA, and the Board for International Broadcasting. Although this may sound rather prosaic, in fact what the Senate is about to debate is legislation that will shape key instruments of American foreign policy into the 21st century. In no small measure, our Nation's success and prominence in world affairs is the result of these institutions' effectiveness. The legislation before the Senate makes changes in these structures to meet the new challenges to U.S. foreign policy such as: Enhancement of trade opportunities for U.S. businesses, protection of the global environment, and prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Our success in this effort will have a very direct and tangible impact on the lives of U.S. citizens for years to come.
