Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Would the Chair advise whether or not amendment No. 103 is included in the en bloc?

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I urge the adoption of amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman has offered, I think, a reasonably good amendment, and we would like to see it adopted, so I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I rise in respectful disagreement with my colleague who offered this amendment. The United States Institute of Peace works to help prevent, reduce, and resolve violent conflicts abroad. The Institute works alongside our military, our diplomats, and development experts in some of the most conflict-affected and fragile environments, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Tunisia, South Sudan, and Ukraine. Eliminating the U.S. Institute of Peace would hamper our efforts to stabilize these areas and to prevent further outbreaks of conflict. The Institute also works with local leaders and other partners to find solutions to religious freedom and to mitigate the rise of extremism and persecution. Let me point out, too, that the staffer the gentleman just mentioned in his remarks is no longer with the Institute. She is gone. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, this amendment would cut funding for the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Affairs account by $209 million. That is a 16 percent reduction in the fight against narcotics. There is already money in the bill for TB, $241 million, which is the same as current levels, and that exceeds the last Obama request and the first Trump request for TB. It also includes another $1.35 billion for the Global Fund to fight a combination of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB, which includes additional funding for TB programs. So there is already money in the bill for TB. This would cut the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Affairs account by $209 million, a 16 percent cut, when it is not really needed. Funding for this account supports counterdrug and law enforcement activities, strengthens the rule of law, and increases border security. Mr. Chairman, I just came back with my subcommittee from a trip to Ukraine and Georgia, and I understand by seeing it firsthand the importance of our assistance that helps governments combat corruption and improve the rule of law. A portion of this funding also helps partners in our own hemisphere fight drug trafficking and violent crime before it reaches the border of the United States. Undoubtedly, every agency can do more with more, but the allocation for this bill was cut by 17 percent from last year. And rather than cut every account by 17 percent, we deliberately and carefully considered each program, and directed the funding recommendations to reflect our priorities. Among those priorities is funding for TB, which is held at last year's level. This means, of course, that other accounts and programs took a disproportionately higher cut to make that possible. I know the gentleman wants more funds for TB, and I sympathize with him in that desire. I can assure him that preserving last year's level of funding puts TB in a very rarefied position in this bill, because it is treated well. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 500, as the designee of Chairman Frelinghuysen, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the gentleman from Texas for bringing this issue to our attention. The committee takes seriously reports of Americans abroad being treated unfairly, denied due process, or being used as political pawns. Colombia is a friend and ally of the United States and an important trading partner. We expect the Government of Colombia to ensure our citizens are treated fairly in their courts. The committee will follow up on this matter with the Department of State to ensure our Embassy is engaged on this issue. And I thank the gentleman for bringing this matter to our attention. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 97 Offered by Mr. Hastings

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. As I mentioned in my statement, Mr. Chairman, the bill before us today contains $3.1 billion in a Foreign Military Financing program funded for Israel, which fully funds the last year of the current memorandum of understanding with Israel. This amendment would reduce the Foreign Military Financing program account by more than $80 million. In addition to Israel, this account provides funds for Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Colombia, and Ukraine. The President's budget request proposed deep cuts to this account, which we clearly rejected in the committee mark. I should also note that the bill already provides over $6 billion for humanitarian assistance. I do appreciate the gentleman's desire to help the Ethiopian-Israeli community, but I cannot support an $80 million cut to security assistance. So I urge a ``no'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Florida for raising this important issue. The plight of religious and ethnic minorities persecuted by ISIS has been, and remains, a priority for this committee, including the need for psychosocial support services to those affected by the crisis. That is why ample funding has been provided to assist communities affected by ISIS, including persecuted religious and ethnic minorities. The fiscal year 2017 Security Assistance Appropriations Act provided over $1 billion for programs to counter ISIS and address the needs of those affected by ISIS. Funding was also provided in the fiscal year 2017 regular appropriations bill. Finally, we included language on this very issue in the fiscal year 2018 bill, including designating $10 million for programs to protect vulnerable and persecuted religious minorities. The amendment, however, would reduce the Foreign Military Financing account by more than $70 million. This account funds our friends and allies like Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Colombia, Ukraine. The President's budget request proposed deep cuts to this account, which we clearly rejected in the committee mark. In short, we have already addressed the gentleman's concerns, and I cannot support such a large cut to security assistance. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, the overseas scholarship programs are popular among our Members because most of these programs support American educational institutions abroad. Students that participate and receive an education based on American values help shape their societies. They are more likely to embrace democratic principles, counter extremism, and foster greater economic opportunity. These programs are an important part of the so-called soft power of America. Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I really appreciate the gentleman's concern, but not enough to support his amendment. As he knows, the administration proposed to close the United States African Development Foundation. Given the significant reduction in our subcommittee's allocation, it would be very easy to agree to the administration's request. The bill before us, however, does not close the foundation, but instead doubles the requested amount. If our conference allocation is more generous, then perhaps we can be more generous with the foundation. Until then, however, the bill, as reported out of committee, strikes, I think, the appropriate balance of assistance and diplomacy. Mr. Chair, I urge a rejection of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to take this time briefly to address the concerns the gentleman from Florida has raised with regard to these organizations, many of which I share. That is why the base bill includes some pretty tough conditions on these organizations. In fact, these conditions have never been stronger with regard to the U.N. Human Rights Council. No funds can be provided until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that participation in the Council is, one, in the national security interest of the United States and, two, the Council is taking significant steps to remove Israel as a permanent agenda item and increase transparency in the election of its members to the Council. We raised these issues, Mr. Chairman, with Ambassador Haley when she appeared before our committee. We all know she is actively engaging in these matters, and our conditions give her additional tools which she can use to get the Council to make some real reforms. Next, the bill prohibits funds for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency until the Secretary can certify to the Congress that this organization is conducting regular inspections of its installations to ensure they are only used for humanitarian purposes and that the content of educational materials does not induce excitement. These conditions provide Secretary Tillerson with leverage to demand accountability and reform. Also, we should be mindful that the President is reengaging with Israel and the Palestinians on a Middle East peace deal, which we all know is difficult and a very complicated task. Prohibiting funds to UNRWA at this time may have an adverse impact on those delicate processes the President and his team have before them. This committee has and will continue to follow these issues very closely. It is a top priority, and the tough conditions in the bill reflect that. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the fiscal year 2018 appropriations measure before us today. The committee, as the chairman said, has worked at a historic pace to produce a bill that reflects the priorities of the American people. Chairman Frelinghuysen should be recognized for his leadership in bringing this legislation through committee and before the House in record time. While the entirety of the package should be supported, I want to highlight, Mr. Chairman, the funding provided for the Department of State and Foreign Operations. This portion of the bill reduces international diplomatic and development programs by $10 billion, a 17 percent reduction from fiscal year '17. In a tough budget environment, the bill strikes a delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and support for continued U.S. leadership and foreign aid. First and foremost, over $6 billion is allocated for embassy security, which will enable the State Department to safeguard American diplomatic facilities overseas, in line with the recommendations of the Benghazi Accountability Review Board. Second, the bill contains $8.4 billion for security assistance to support key U.S. allies and partners. The U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding is fully funded at $3.1 billion. The bill also maintains foreign military financing for Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia; and it increases security assistance for Ukraine, and provides extra support for other countries facing Russian aggression. In our own hemisphere, the bill will help counter transnational criminal organizations and the flow of illegal drugs by supporting our partnerships with Colombia, Central America, and Mexico. Third, the bill promotes American values around the world by maintaining funding for key democracy programs. Fourth, the bill continues our country's strong tradition of helping the most vulnerable, providing $8.3 billion for global health programs and over $5.9 billion for humanitarian assistance. At the same time, the bill protects and preserves life by embracing an expanded Mexico City policy, prohibiting funding for the U.N. Population Fund, and continuing all pro-life riders carried in prior House bills. Finally, at a time when we must remain focused on balancing Federal spending, this bill eliminates many programs, aims to improve oversight and management, and makes our government more accountable. No funds are provided for President Obama's Global Climate Change Initiative. Funding for the U.N. is reduced by $900 million, and international banks and financial institutions are cut by over $800 million.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Chairman, this legislation advances both our national security and economic interests. I urge support for the bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a dear friend and advocate for eastern Kentuckians, Pamela Todd May. Although her life tragically ended too soon, she lived with endless compassion for those in need, and abounding devotion to our region, the Pikeville Medical Center, the University of Kentucky, her husband, Walter May, her children, and all her family and friends. Pam May lived with consummate elegance, always joyous in service, and loyal in deed. She faithfully dedicated more than three decades of service to the Pikeville Medical Center as a steadfast advocate for expanded access to quality healthcare in Kentucky's rural Appalachian region. As founder of one of the most respected law firms in Kentucky, Pam was as trustworthy defender for the people of eastern Kentucky and a voice for those who otherwise may not be heard. One of the most recent examples of her endless and selfless service was her prompt action to help hundreds of individuals obtain medical records for Social Security hearings and honorable representation in the wake of emergency redetermination hearings by the Social Security Administration. She partnered with local attorneys and orchestrated hope for hundreds of families desperate for assistance while navigating through Federal hearings. Pam was a thoughtful leader you could rely on to stay steps ahead of everyone else. My wife, Cynthia, and I mourn the loss of our treasured friend, yet we rejoice in the legacy of justice and compassion that she leaves behind. Those of us who were blessed to know Pam must carry on her banner of hope and love for the people of our region. Mr. Speaker, eastern Kentucky is a better place because Pam May lived. If we could replicate her passion and drive, our future would undoubtedly be much brighter in the hills of Appalachia. Mr. Speaker, Cynthia and I extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to our friend and confidant, Walter May, as well as Pam's mother, children, and extended family and friends who were honored to know and love her.