Toby Roth: “Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to this rule, as my friend, the gentleman from California, is, but I am also opposed to the…”

“Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to this rule, as my friend, the gentleman from California, is, but I am also opposed to the bill on its merits or demerits. The reason I say that is despite all of the hoopla on reforming foreign aid, this bill is just business as usual. When we analyze it, it is $2.2 billion for international banks, it is $7.6 billion for foreign aid, and it is $3 billion for military assistance. Some token cuts have been made to put a veneer of change on this legislation, but for those of us who want to put the American taxpayer first for a change, it is easy to see through this disguise. Mr. Speaker, the bill has $1.2 billion for the International Development Association. That is a $210 million increase over last year. The IDA is the World Bank's branch which gives loans that are never repaid. We will never see this money again. There is $168 million for the Asian Development Bank's development fund. That is a $105 million increase. Asia is the fastest growing region of the world. Why should the American taxpayer finance loans to countries that are taking away American jobs? The bill also has $2.8 billion in new money for AID's so-called Development Assistance Programs. That is a $109 million increase for an agency that everyone agrees is broken and needs reform. Mr. Speaker, what does this bill do about reforms? It gives AID a $12 million increase in its operating budget.”