State, Foreign Operations
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Secretary Kerry, I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming you back to our Subcommittee. Let me also say congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter last week.
Our country is fortunate to have your thoughtful, effective, and respected leadership with so many grave challenges around the world, from the crisis in Syria to the Middle East Peace Process; from nuclear negotiations with Iran to human rights abuses; and, of course, urgent concerns in Ukraine. Today we expect updates and insight into how your budget request will address these and other threats to peace, stability, and security.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee and the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, today delivered the following statement on the House floor in support of legislation making loan guarantees available for Ukraine:
"We must come together today on a bipartisan basis to support the people of Ukraine and take a stand against Russia's aggression and illegal violation of Ukraine's sovereign and territorial integrity.
"Since last November, the world has watched with growing alarm as the hopes and democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people were met with violent crackdowns against activists, harassment of journalists and restrictive legislation limiting basic democratic freedoms. The bloody images from the City Square and rising death toll are horrific.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement on President Obama's FY 2015 budget request:
"The FY2015 budget and appropriations process offers Congress its best opportunity in years to reject the politics of brinkmanship and crisis management, and instead fulfill our responsibility to invest in our future, create and protect jobs, and support services on which American families rely.
I join Chairwoman Granger in welcoming our distinguished witnesses here today. The challenges you face promoting democracy, civil liberties and basic human rights in repressive and fragile countries are enormous and the results are not always clearly visible.
The seeds of change take time to sow, take root and grow, making it difficult for some of our colleagues to embrace these investments. For example, the fall of the Iron Curtain in the late 80's and early 90's was precipitated by 30 years of groundwork.
2013 total enacted level: $53.6 billion
2014 Committee mark: $40.6 billion
2014 Omnibus: $49.0 billion
· $6.52 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), which is $4.68 billion less than the 2013 enacted level.
· $7.99 billion for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, including $1.9 billion for Worldwide Security Protection, which is $1.7 billion less than the 2013 enacted level due to significant carryover from prior year funds.
· $8.44 billion for Global Health, which is $37 million less than the 2013 enacted level but $380 million more than the post-sequester level.
· $2.51 billion for Development Assistance, which is $13 million less than the 2013 enacted level but $115 million more than the post-sequester level.