William H. Frist: “today, we will be voting on final passage on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I want to take this opportunity…”

“today, we will be voting on final passage on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their tremendous work and, in particular, Senator McConnell for his stewardship of this bill. Diplomacy and foreign policy are the essential pillars of our national security. They reflect the values, principles, views, and interests of the people we represent, the American people. They are central to advancing the U.S. role and our place, our stature, in the world. America's national security depends on our ability to integrate and coordinate all of the elements of our national power. It includes diplomacy, intelligence, economic strength, and military might. The Foreign Operations bill advances those efforts and demonstrates our generosity and our priorities. The legislation provides $9.7 billion to ensure that the Department of State and other related agencies and our personnel serving overseas have the tools, the equipment they need to advance America's security. In the past year, freedom movements have swept the globe--in Ukraine, in Georgia, the elections in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories--and have inspired literally millions around the world. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt have also taken demonstrable steps toward democracy.…”