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

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

During this time of instability around the world, it is important to remember that our investments abroad can make us more secure at home. The fiscal year 2021 bill funds many programs that would do just that.

The bill provides $3.3 billion for Israel, demonstrating our unwavering support for the security of our great ally and partner.

It protects funding for embassy security and counter-terrorism programs. The bill also includes funds to advance global health, promote democracy, and address human trafficking.

Unfortunately, while there are areas where we agree, I have serious concerns about partisan riders that have been inserted and the negative impact they could have.

As I said during the subcommittee markup, the bill includes permanent changes in law that would overturn the current Mexico City Policy.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

I rise in opposition to the subcommittee allocations because they do not give a complete picture of all of the spending in these appropriations bills.

Instead of working with us to develop bills consistent with the budget agreement that was reached last year, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have unilaterally decided to include hundreds of billions of dollars in so-called "emergency" spending for things that really are not emergencies.

• Almost $200 billion dollars for infrastructure;
• Nearly $35 billion dollars to respond to the coronavirus on top of the trillions already appropriated; and
• $12.5 billion for veterans, even though it was known last year that these costs would rise.

In total, there is more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in additional deficit spending not included in these allocations.

Madam Chair, thank you for yielding.

Before I begin my remarks about the State-Foreign Operations bill, I want to take a moment to recognize you, Mrs. Lowey, as you begin your last appropriations season.

Nita and I took turns as chair and ranking member of this subcommittee, and we accomplished many things, even though we had policy disagreements.

At the beginning, many people questioned how the Jewish grandmother from New York and the Methodist grandmother from Texas could work together. Then, several years later, we were named to InStyle magazine's "Badass 50." That tells you everything you need to know about our relationship.

We worked together on critical issues in global health, including combating HIV/AIDS and malaria, and supporting life-saving maternal and child health programs.