The House of Representatives today approved a comprehensive Foreign Relations Authorization bill (H.R. 2601) authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 351-78. The bill authorizes $22.3 billion for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. International broadcasting activities, and security assistance to America’s allies. 

    “This bill reinforces of our nation’s commitment to help those that suffer from oppression and tyranny,” said Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. “As the march toward democracy continues around the world, it is essential that human rights remain at the core of our foreign policy – particularly if we expect other nations to guarantee basic fundamental rights to their citizens.”

    Smith’s bi-partisan bill authorizes many vital human rights initiatives, including: support for democracy and stabilization in Haiti, creating programs to fight anti-Semitism, permanent authorization of Radio Free Asia, funding for refugee programs and doubling U.S. contributions for international peacekeeping. It includes provisions of the “Advance Democracy Act of 2005,” which creates a State Department Office that will promote democracy by working with Democratic movements across the globe and establishing a list of countries that are either “undemocratic” or “a democratic transition country.” It also doubles the funding for pro-democracy 

    The efforts of the men and women of the Foreign Service are recognized by this bill. It narrows the difference in pay between officers stationed in Washington and those abroad – many under dangerous conditions – and increases hardship and danger differential pay for them. This bill places a heavy emphasis on security through the authorization of $1.5 billion for security related construction at U.S. Missions, $690 million to increase security for diplomatic personnel and $930 million for border security programs.

    “We rely on the foreign service and diplomatic corps to be the face of America to many people who may never set foot on American soil,” said Smith. “By providing them with the adequate resources to perform their duties in a secure environment, we strengthen our overall diplomatic efforts.”

    By strengthening strategic export controls and mandating review of strategic U.S. arms and dual use item exports, the bill proactively curtails weapons proliferation. In addition, Congress authorizes the President to prohibit transactions that provide nuclear material, equipment or technology to a non-nuclear weapon state – further weakening the nuclear black market. The bill requires that foreign assistance only be provided to countries that do not promote nuclear terrorism and are in full cooperation with U.S. efforts to eliminate nuclear black market networks and activities – in particular through a stronger International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

    The bill finds that Iran remains the leading sponsor of international terrorism and that its goal to further develop nuclear technologies and 20 new nuclear facilities constitute a threat to global peace and security. Congress calls on the G-8 leaders to condition Russia's membership on their termination of all assistance, including fuel shipments, to nuclear facilities in Iran. 

    “We must lead the global mission to keep weapons and other dangerous materials from falling into the hands of terrorists and rogue states,” said Smith. “By linking non-humanitarian foreign assistance funding to weapons proliferation, we
greatly reduce the possibility that a weapon of mass destruction can fall into the hands of a rogue nation or a terrorist group.”