Payne Votes To Rebuild Diplomacy, Relations Abroad

Press Release

Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne voted to repair U.S. relations abroad and bolster diplomacy and development efforts around the globe. The State Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (HR 3081) invests in strengthening our diplomatic corps after years of neglect and in development programs that are crucial to stabilizing key regions, fighting global pandemics, protecting our environment, and combating drug trafficking.

"Repairing America's standing in the world is a top priority for this Congress and President Obama," said Payne. "This bill allows us to continue important investments in combating terrorism and protecting our national security, while also fulfilling our commitment to U.S. diplomacy and development efforts. A balanced foreign policy must address both."

In an effort to combat terrorism and protect our security, the State Foreign Operations Appropriations Act includes significant funding to help stabilize and strengthen the key countries of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It also invests in development programs that help bring education systems, food security, and agricultural development assistance, as well as safe drinking water, to underdeveloped communities around the world.

The bill maintains our commitment to programs that help save lives overseas and protect the health of Americans here at home by boosting funding for global public health infrastructure. It increases funding for programs that fight against serious diseases like HIV/AIDS and the global flu pandemic as well as programs that support maternal and child health and family planning.

"Over the last eight years, our diplomacy efforts have been severely underfunded and our global reputation has suffered," said Payne. "That's why this legislation is so crucial to rebuilding our image and standing in the international community."

The bill also includes funding for climate change initiatives that will help protect our environment, counternarcotics programs that help combat drug trafficking and transnational crime from Mexico and Central America, and UN peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Congo, Liberia, Haiti, and Lebanon.

In an effort to maintain fiscal responsibility and an honest budget process, this legislation also seeks to end the reliance on supplemental appropriations to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing an upfront and transparent accounting of the resources needed to fund our foreign policy and national security interests.

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