Diplomacy and development programs are critical to protecting our national security, maintaining U.S. global leadership, and promoting economic growth.
I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming our distinguished witnesses. I thank you all for taking the time to be here to discuss the State and Foreign Operations budget for Fiscal Year 2014. Your participation is greatly appreciated and welcome.
I also want to thank my friend Chairwoman Granger for her hard work on the State, Foreign Operations portion of the CR that we hopefully will take up this week. I look forward to continuing the bipartisan tradition of this Subcommittee in the fiscal year 2014 bill.
As I am sure you all have heard me say many times, our diplomacy and development programs are critical to protecting our national security, maintaining U.S. global leadership, and promoting economic growth.
Leaders from industry, the military, NGOs, and the faith community have all publicly acknowledged the importance of diplomacy and development to our national interests. And the role of our civil society and private sector also could not be more important in helping us translate policy into action.
This year, we have a new Secretary of State; deepening nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea; new regimes in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, and we hope a soon-to-be new regime in Syria, as well as a myriad of challenges and opportunities that will make the discussion on this year's budget very important.
I am proud of the progress we have made on the global health front, in combating killer diseases and greatly reducing the scourge of AIDS. Yet, I am also profoundly aware that despite all the progress made, we must sustain that progress and that will require resources.
As you know the House Buget Committee released its mark and the number for the 150 Account has again been severely cut. Therefore it is extremely important to hear from our witnesses today about funding priorities and I would like to thank all of you for participating in today's hearing.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
