Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is shortsighted. It would potentially cut programs to strengthen democracy and human rights, protect religious freedom, and support economic reforms, among others. Many of these programs counter malign influences and provide an alternative to the PRC's influence, financing, and activities. These programs also offer and demonstrate another narrative from the authoritarianism promoted by the government of the PRC. The Economic Support Fund also advances critical security programs, such as countering terrorist radicalization and recruitment and improving governance and accountability. These are bigger challenges than they were just 5 years ago. The fiscal year level that is sought by this amendment is totally unrealistic to accomplish our goals. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this budget, first of all, is less than one half of 1 percent of the United States' GDP. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the migration and refugee assistance account supports protection and assistance to ease the suffering of those who had to leave everything behind and become refugees. The funding also contributes to broader USG and international efforts to resolve conflicts that cause displacement. This humanitarian aid saves lives and upholds the dignity of tens of millions of forcibly displaced and crisis-affected people, including refugees, victims of conflict, stateless persons, and vulnerable migrants. There were more than 108 million forcibly displaced people globally at the end of 2022. This is the largest ever annual increase and represents the largest number of forcibly displaced in history. Without assistance, nations will not accept the growing refugee populations in their countries, potentially destabilizing regions and threatening global peace, security, and stability. We should be doing more, not less, to support these individuals. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, the Peace Corps is one of the best investments in public diplomacy that we make. There is no way that Democrats have prioritized Peace Corps over veterans. We support our veterans. We support the Peace Corps. What better ambassadors do we have than young American people willing to spend 2 years overseas and build goodwill with people around the world? I know many of us have met these young people when traveling overseas or have discussed with our own constituents after they have participated in this life-changing experience. The Peace Corps account in this bill is already $20 million below its current level, endangering the return of volunteers in the field after COVID and the reopening of new sites, particularly in the Pacific Islands, where strong American diplomacy is sorely needed. Cuts are already threatening the ability to support the 5,000 volunteers across 51 countries that the Peace Corps has responsibility for. Once again, Democrats support the Peace Corps. Democrats support and thank our veterans for their service. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I am not so sure that our veterans would appreciate being used as a pawn in this game to try to defund and cut funding for young people. I have talked to many veterans who appreciate the Peace Corps and appreciate the work that they are doing to help ensure that Americans have the best ambassadors in the world. Our veterans would not want to hear of this pawn game being played in opposition to the Peace Corps. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment would reduce the contribution of the United States to the Global Environmental Facility by $10 million. The Global Environmental Facility is a multilateral trust fund that provides grant-based funding to developing countries to address the real global environmental challenges. Last month was the hottest August, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 174-year record. In that one month, Hawaii had a devastating wildfire, the Southeast suffered from Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, and southern California had its first-ever tropical storm watch, with many areas receiving more rain in 48 hours than they typically get all year. These disasters come with huge costs in the communities they directly affect and impact our entire planet. The Global Environmental Facility fund benefits the United States economy and environment by addressing problems that affect our domestic health, safety, and prosperity, such as by protecting tropical forests, reducing global levels of transboundary pollutants, and combating illegal wildlife trafficking, which I know is of concern to many on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, first, the executive branch has the ability to determine how the United States engages and manages our relationship with Taiwan. It had that ability during the last administration. That is because Congress left it to the executive branch to conduct diplomacy and the recognition or nonrecognition of foreign states and governments in this case. If you wish to legislate how the executive branch should engage with Taiwan, then markup a separate bill in the Foreign Affairs Committee that just deals with that. In the absence of that, the executive branch needs to determine how to handle diplomatic engagements abroad. Again, the last administration did just that. It is their job to weigh multiple equities and balance delicate factors that are simply not considered by this amendment today. The gentleman knows that Taiwan is a sensitive geopolitical subject with respect to our relations with the People's Republic of China. That is why we have a Select Committee in the House on it. I think this is something that they could examine, but there is too much at stake to have this amendment decide what the guidelines for engagement will be. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this is really despicable to target dedicated public servants and threaten their livelihoods--public servants doing their jobs and carrying out the policy of the administration--regardless of which administration it is--they serve. They should be commended and not demonized. Our government is dependent on being able to attract the best talent to bring their skills to public service, especially when in most cases they could earn much more in the private sector. Who is going to be willing to do that if their names can be dragged through the political mud? Secretary Blinken is a dedicated public servant who has proudly represented the United States while serving in multiple high-level positions. This is not how we solve policy differences. We should not make it personal and about people doing their jobs. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this, quite frankly, is unconstitutional, first of all. It doesn't make any sense, second. It really sends the worst signal in the world for those young people who want to go into public service serving our country. I am really shocked. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, this amendment is a clear attempt to return to the punitive and shortsighted policies of the previous administration with regard to the Palestinians. Let's get one thing straight. American diplomacy and engagement are not rewards to our friends and things to hold over the heads of those we are trying to pressure to bring about change. Diplomacy and engagement serve our own interests. United States policy is to support a two-state solution in the Middle East--that is the United States policy, and the only path to peace--and to avoid any steps by any party that makes that goal harder to reach. By keeping a channel of communications open, the Palestinian Affairs Unit is an important part of that strategy. I have and will continue to urge the Biden administration to reset U.S. relations with the Palestinian people, and to resume the United States' role as a credible and constructive leader in the region. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.