Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes funds for the U.S. Department of State, international broadcasting, migration and refugee assistance, international centers and foundations, and the protection of international property rights.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $10.78 billion for FY2006 and $9.96 billion for FY2007 for various departments and programs.

• Appropriates $3.77 billion for diplomatic and consular programs in FY 2006 and $3.89 billion in FY 2007 (Sec. 101).

• Appropriates $428 million for educational and cultural exchange programs in FY 2006 and $438 million in FY 2007 (Sec. 101).

• Appropriates $1.53 billion for embassy security, construction and maintenance in FY 2006 and $1.55 billion for FY 2007 (Sec. 101).

• Appropriates $2.33 billion for international organizations and international peacekeeping activities in FY 2006 and $1.32 billion in FY 2007 (Sec. 102).

• Appropriates $955 million for migration and refugee assistance in FY 2006 and $983 million in FY 2007 (Sec. 104).

• Appropriates $661 million for United States International Broadcasting activities in FY 2006 and $662 million in FY 2007 (Sec. 106).

• Appropriates $1.38 billion in FY 2006 and $1.32 billion in FY 2007 of the funds made available by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to aid certain nations, including, but not limited to $1.26 billion for Egypt to fund military activities, and $50 million for Afghanistan (Secs. 1001-1033).

• Appropriates $25 million to procure two marine patrol aircrafts for use by the Colombian Navy to immobilize drug trafficking vessels (Sec. 1047).

• Establishes the Active Response Corps to provide stabilization and reconstructive support to foreign countries that are either in or likely to enter into civil conflict (Sec. 216).

• Creates the position of Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, designed to help formulate and implement U.S. policies of democracy in non-democratic countries (Sec. 611).

• Declares the need for a review of strategic export controls to ensure national security and outlines methods to improve the system to achieve those objectives (Secs. 701-703).

• Allows the President to impose sanctions on any foreign person, corporation or government that has participated in the export, transfer or trade of nuclear enrichment equipment, nuclear explosive devices or any related materials or technologies (Secs. 811-812).

• Expands treatment and prevention activities for patients suffering from or in danger of developing obstetric fistula, and increases funding by $2.5 million for FY 2007 (Sec. 1001).

• Adds the Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005, as passed by the House, to the text of the bill (Secs. 1201-1203).

• Expresses the sense of Congress that early withdrawal from Iraq is counterproductive to the aims of the U.S. Armed Services, coalition forces and Iraqi forces, and that transfer of responsibilities and withdrawal from Iraq should occur when it is clear that goals have been, or are about to be, achieved (Sec. 1417).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text