Chair DeLauro Statement at Subcommittee Markup of FY 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Funding Bill

WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) delivered the following remarks at the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee's markup of its fiscal year 2022 bill. A video of DeLauro's remarks can be found here:

Thank you, Chairwoman Lee and Ranking Member Rogers, for your good work on this bill and for your dedication and commitment to this subcommittee, this institution, and of course, to all of your constituents.

Let me just offer a comment on Sonny Callahan who chaired this committee and leaves a legacy behind. I also want to offer my condolences to the Ranking Member. I know that he wanted to be at the services for Congressman Callahan. Thank you for being here but know that we understand the depth of your feeling for your colleague and your friendship with him.

The appropriations process is not easy, but I deeply appreciate the long hours and hard work you all have committed to this effort. I say that to the staff as well. I have said it in a couple of the other Subcommittees. Our names are on the door, but it is all of you on both sides of the aisle on the staff, who keep our names on the door. We are enormously grateful for all of your work.

After four years where the United States was often too disruptive or absent on the world stage, I am pleased that President Biden has sent a clear message: America is back.

This legislation backs that message with action. It restores American leadership around the world by responding to global health threats, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, confronting the climate crisis, and addressing urgent humanitarian needs.

As the devastation of the coronavirus has made clear, a challenge anywhere can easily become a challenge everywhere. It is only through our global connections and our relationships that we build with our allies and partners abroad that we can begin to ensure we are adequately prepared to address the continuing coronavirus pandemic while preparing to meet future challenges.

While things have improved significantly in the United States, the pandemic is far from over across the globe. In fact, we are still seeing over 370,000 new cases around the world per day and over 8,000 new deaths. As new variants develop and spread, we must continue to work across countries and borders to put an end to this pandemic while ensuring that we are prepared to prevent the pandemics of the future.

That is why I am proud that this bill provides total funding of $62.2 billion, an increase of $6.7 billion over 2021. This 12 percent increase is desperately needed especially as this bill provides $10.6 billion for global health, which is an increase of $1.4 billion to crush the COVID-19 pandemic, support family health, and prevent future pandemics.

But even as we recover from this ongoing scourge of coronavirus, we must also look ahead to the existential threat of climate change, which is a problem that can only be solved through American leadership to cultivate global action. That is why it is crucial that this bill includes over $3 billion to confront the climate crisis and other environmental issues, with $1.6 billion in funding for global efforts to reduce emissions and to support the Green Climate Fund, $350 million above the request.

Meanwhile, though the coronavirus has particularly highlighted the importance of safeguarding global public health and fighting climate change, it has also underscored the need to invest in our nation's diplomatic and development initiatives. I am deeply concerned by the threats posed by both China and Russia. And I am troubled by the wave of democratic backsliding we are seeing in nations such as Brazil, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, and elsewhere. So, I am proud of the provisions in this bill to restore American leadership as well as to support the world's most vulnerable. To that end, the bill provides $8.5 billion in assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, many of which have also been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not speak to the critical investments this legislation makes to advance women's rights around the world. This bill provides $760 million, an increase of $185 million for family planning, and $70 million for the United Nations Population Fund. It repeals restrictions that make it harder for women around the world to access safe and legal abortion. Together, these provisions uphold the principle that women's rights are human rights and that all women, no matter what country they live in, deserve equity and equality.

I am proud of the message that this bill sends to our allies and partners – and yes, even to our adversaries – around the world. America is back, we are ready to lead with action, and we are ready to confront the biggest challenges facing the world.

Again, let me say thank you to the Chairman and Ranking Member, the Subcommittee and Full Committee staff. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Thank you.