U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today urged passage of H.R. 2601, a foreign relations bill that authorizes $22.3 billion for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. International broadcasting activities, and security assistance to America’s allies. 

    The comprehensive bill, authored by Rep. Smith, provides funding for the core of all State Department activities and numerous foreign policy programs. In addition, the bill authorizes U.S. contributions to the United Nations, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and other integral international organizations. A portion of the bill – the Advance Democracy Act of 2005 – creates a new office at the State Department that will launch a more robust coordinated effort to systematically promote democracy by working with Democratic movements and establishing a list of countries that are either “undemocratic” or “a democratic transition country.

    “It is essential that a focus on fundamental human rights remain at the core of our foreign policy initiatives, particularly as we promote the spread of democracy around the globe,” said Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations. “This 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." 

    The bill is also reflective of the reality of international diplomacy in a post 9/11 world by proactively curtailing weapons proliferation. It revises and strengthens strategic export controls and mandates a comprehensive review of U.S. strategic exports of arms and dual use items. In addition, it moves to further eradicate the nuclear black market and private nuclear supplier networks by authorizing the President to prohibit transactions with any person, company or group that provides nuclear material, equipment or technology to a non-nuclear weapon state. Finally, it 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). 

    “We must continue to expand our efforts to keep weapons from the Cold War and other dangerous materials from falling into the wrong hands,” said Smith. “By tightening the market for rogue weapons dealers and linking non-humanitarian foreign assistance funding to weapons proliferation, we greatly reduce the possibility that a weapon of mass destruction fall into the hands of a rogue nation or terrorist group.”

    The men and women of the Foreign Service stationed at our Embassies overseas – many under dangerous conditions – greatly enhance the perception of the United States abroad. This bill narrows the difference in pay between officers stationed in Washington and those abroad and also increases hardship and danger differential pay. The legislation puts a heavy emphasis on security – and authorizes $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.

    “I have always believed that ‘personnel is policy,’ and nowhere is that more evident than in our Embassies around the world,” said Smith. “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. By making sure they have the resources to adequately perform their jobs in a more secure environment, we strengthen our overall diplomatic efforts.”