Committee Marks Up State and Foreign Operations Bill

May 16, 2019
Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Full Committee met to consider the fiscal year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee's appropriations bill. While the bill funds many bipartisan priorities that support America's engagement around the world and promote our economic and national security, Republicans were unable to support the bill due to problematic provisions and the funding levels in the bill. 
 
Top Appropriations Committee Republican Kay Granger (R-TX) said, "With Iran's continued push to destabilize the Middle East, the security of our partners and allies must be prioritized. The State and Foreign Operations bill provides full funding for the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Israel and supports Egypt, Jordan, and other partners in the region that are confronted with growing threats. 
 
"The bill also funds important investments that promote democracy, support life-saving health initiatives, and combat the trafficking of wildlife, but the bill totals more than 4% above the prior year and includes controversial language, such as the reversal of the pro-life Mexico City policy.

"I want to work with my colleagues as the bill moves through the process to develop a fiscally responsible budget framework and address policy positions that will not make it into law."

Subcommittee Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-KY) added, "There are several critical investments in this bill worthy of bipartisan support; however, it is a shame that they are undermined by partisan policy riders that effectively end any hope of support from both sides of the aisle. 

"Budget uncertainty is nothing new to this Committee, but an overall spending increase of this magnitude – across all the bills –  is neither realistic nor sustainable without a plan. I hope we can work together to address these larger budget challenges so we can move this and other appropriations measures through the process."

Backing their commitment to conservative policies, Republican Members offered amendments to:
  • Promote pro-life policies by ensuring that organizations receiving federal funds do not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning, and prohibiting funds to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA);
  • Halt the Democrats' efforts to prevent the President from withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement; 
  • Invest in our partners in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China; 
  • Insist on reforms at the United Nations so that the United States only pays its fair share; and
  • Reduce unnecessary spending contributing to the $22 trillion federal debt.  
 

 

Subcommittees: 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (116th Congress)
116th Congress