July 21, 2005

House passes foreign policy plan

Washington — Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) last night cast his vote in support of H.R. 2601, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2006 & 2007, which passed the House by a vote 351 to 78.  The bill authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. international broadcasting activities, and security assistance to America ’s allies.

“This bill addresses some of the key concerns I’ve had with our nation’s foreign policy,” said Congressman Pitts.  “It reforms some of the bureaucracy, makes our commitment to victory in Iraq clear, strengthens efforts to communicate our values overseas, and clearly gives preference to democracies and democratic movements in identifying our allies.  Also, the UN reform package in the bill will help overhaul an organization that has so much potential, but is mired in scandal and abuse.”

H.R. 2601, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 & Fiscal Year 2007:

• Authorizes the President to prohibit commercial transactions with any foreign entity that provides nuclear material enrichment or technology to a non-nuclear weapon state;
• Establishes a State Department office responsible for working with democratic movements and facilitating the transition of countries to democracy, creates a pilot program to Regional Democracy Hubs and increases the number of Foreign Service Officers assigned to the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor;
• Recognizes requirements of the State Department to meet demanding new missions in Iraq and Afghanistan ;
• Builds on past efforts to strengthen U.S. public diplomacy, including support for U.S. broadcasting efforts around the world; and
• Contains numerous initiatives on human rights, democracy, poverty reduction, and improving the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance around the world.

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