Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill:
Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to mourn the passing of Congressman Sonny Callahan, the former chair of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee. I want to express our sympathies to Ranking Member Rogers who I know was a very close friend of Congressman Callahan’s. This must be a very difficult time for you, so I appreciate your being here and for your dedication to this process.
Thank you, Chairwoman Lee and Ranking Member Rogers, for your work on this bill. And I thank the staff.
I know the appropriations process - especially this year - is a whirlwind. But I appreciate all the long hours and hard work everyone has committed to this effort.
Like you, I believe that protecting our national security requires robust investments in defense, diplomacy, and development - but for too long we have neglected the last two legs of this three-legged stool.
I am proud that the bill before us today restores American leadership around the globe in dealing with responding to threats, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, addressing urgent humanitarian needs, and confronting the climate crisis.
Further, we look to the future and restore American leadership by addressing the existential threat of climate change. To that end, this bill provides $3 billion to confront the climate crisis and other environmental issues, with $1.6 billion in funding for global efforts that will aim to reduce emissions and that support the Green Climate Fund with $350 million above the initial request.
We must also restore our place in the world as a leader on development initiatives and support the world’s most vulnerable, which is why I am proud that this bill provides $8.5 billion in assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, many of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
When it comes to diplomacy, this bill rebuilds the capacity of the State Department. It is a moral imperative to counter the threats posed by China and Russia and the wave of democratic backsliding we are seeing in nations such as Poland, Brazil, Turkey, and Hungary. The funding in this bill will give our Foreign Service the tools they need to lead these efforts.
Finally, I want to note the critical investments this legislation makes to advance the rights of women around the world. By repealing the restrictions that make it more difficult for women to access safe and legal abortions, while also providing $760 million for family planning, and $70 million for the United Nations Population Fund, this bill honors the sacred principle that women’s rights are human rights and that all women, no matter where they live, deserve not only equality, but equity as well.
With this bill we prove to our allies and partners, and even to our adversaries, that America is back.
Once again, let me say thank you to the Chairman and Ranking Member, as well as to the staff. I look forward to working with all of you, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill."
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
