TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending June 17, 2005
HR 2862 making appropriations for Science, Commerce, Justice, State and the Related Agencies
TITLE III--STATE DEPARTMENT
BRIEF
The President has the responsibility for US foreign policy and it is the State Department that advises him and carries out the mission. The overall goal is national security and promoting US interests abroad. This title of HR 2862 funds the State Department agencies and missions.
The Committee reported that they recommend “100 new positions to respond to high priority diplomatic requirements, including 33 positions for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization; 47 positions for critical staffing needs, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and combating terrorist financing; and 20 positions for critical needs language training, including Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dari, Pashto, Korean, and Farsi.”
The bill would respond to growing Anti-American sentiment around the world. The Committee noted “alarming public opinion polls and foreign media content relating to the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq that reveal profound anti-American sentiments, and often a rejection of our policies. The need for expanded efforts is primarily, but not exclusively, in the Arab and Muslim world.”
$340 million is earmarked “for public diplomacy programs to counter Anti-American sentiments, and a total of $410 million to enhance efforts to engage foreign audiences through educational and cultural exchanges, especially with the Arab and Muslim world.” The Committee concludes that the US must counter misinformation about America and suggests going to outside sources in other countries for a better understanding of why America is so hated and what actions can be taken to counter that hatred. $630 million for international broadcasting would add to the effort.
Until those fences of international opinion are mended, though, the bill would spend $1.599 billion for embassy security programs, an increase of $49.67 million over fiscal year 2005.
The US could now continue to develop and implement a process called “right-sizing” the American presence overseas. The term means “systematic and thorough review of all overseas missions and staffing levels and the reallocation of resources to achieve a leaner, streamlined, more agile, and more secure U.S. Government presence abroad.” Recently the Government Accountability Office developed three questions the answers to which would decide the extent of investment in an overseas effort. The size and budget of a ‘presence’ would be determined by the physical/technical security of facilities and employees; mission priorities and requirements; and cost of operations.
It appears that the United Nations is very much on legislator’s minds. The Committee requires that assessment rates determining UN dues be looked at noting that China’s GDP is growing exponentially but its’ assessment rate remains low in comparison. The US assessment for the FY UN budget of $3.7 billion is 22 percent and the Committee recommends that there should be no increase next year. The Committee further recommends that all international organizations and all countries that are members should strive to economize spending such that budgets for those organizations remain stable. Getting more Americans working at international organizations is to be accomplished by a promotional effort involving university training for those positions. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. would host, by January 2006, recruiting efforts. A UN task force created last year is to report to the Committee this month on determining if the UN is doing its’ job and what the US policy towards the UN should be.
Total spending for UN, NATO and other international organizations is $1.2 billion.
Travel to Cuba remains regulated.
Sponsor: Representative Frank R. Wolf (R-VA-10th)
Vote: The House passed HR 2862 419 to 17 (RC 268) (June 16, 2005)
Cost to the taxpayers: “The Committee (on Appropriations) recommends a total of $57,453,000,000 in discretionary budget authority for the departments and agencies funded in this bill. The recommendation is $3,043,383,000 below the (President’s) request and $1,211,118,000 above the amount enacted for the current fiscal year.”
Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors totals $9,662,718,000, which is $272,534,000 below the budget request and $1,117,489,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2005, including supplemental amounts. Of the total amount provided, $9,531,018,000 is derived from general-purpose discretionary funds and $131,700,000 is scored as mandatory spending. The recommended funding levels include significant program increases to improve security, to meet emerging diplomatic requirements, and expanded public diplomacy efforts. The recommendation includes $1,599,723,000, an increase of $49,685,000 above the current year level, excluding supplemental appropriations, to continue worldwide security activities, including the design and construction of replacement facilities for the most vulnerable overseas posts.
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MORE INFORMATION
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Diplomatic Consular Programs (Including specific initiatives)
Educational and Exchange Programs and Funds for Entertainment.
Foreign Mission Protection and Embassy Security
Emergency Spending Account and Repatriation Loans for Destitute Americans
Payments to the American Institute in Taiwan
Contributions to International Organizations
(UN; NATO, International Atomic Energy Agency; Pan American Health Organization; UNESCO; WIPO)
Contributions to International Peacekeeping
International Boundaries; US and Mexico and others.
Payments to Other Organizations {National Endowment for Democracy; East-West Center; Israeli-Arab Scholarship Program; Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship; Asia Foundation}
{Africa; Asia, Radio Free Europe; Middle East; Cuba; Voice of America}
General Provisions-State Department
TITLE IV- DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY
[In millions of dollars]
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FY 2005 enacted including supplementals FY 2006 requested FY 2006 recommended FY 2006 recommendation compared with
FY 2005 enacted FY 2006 request
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Discretionary 10,648 9,804 9,531 -1,117 -273
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--A 6.3 percent increase over fiscal year 2005 for the basic operations of the Department, excluding supplemental appropriations;
--100 new positions to respond to high priority diplomatic requirements, including 33 positions for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization; 47 positions for critical staffing needs, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and combating terrorist financing; and 20 positions for critical needs language training, including Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dari, Pashto, Korean, and Farsi.
--A total of $340 million specifically for public diplomacy programs to counter Anti-American sentiments around the world, and a total of $410 million to enhance efforts to engage foreign audiences through educational and cultural exchanges, especially with the Arab and Muslim world.
--$1.599 billion for embassy security programs, an increase of $49.67 million over fiscal year 2005, including 55 new diplomatic security personnel. In addition, a total of $596.7 million is provided for an overseas capital security cost sharing program, including $393.6 million from the State Department, which will result in acceleration of the program to construct secure replacement facilities for American personnel serving overseas;
--$1.166 billion for assessments for U.S. membership in the United Nations and other international organizations;
--$1.036 billion for contributions for international peacekeeping activities, the full amount requested; and
--$630.9 million for international broadcasting, including increases for radio and television broadcasting to the Middle East.
US Presence Overseas
The Committee strongly supports interagency efforts to right-size the overseas presence of the United States Government. The Committee understands the definition of right-sizing to be the systematic and thorough review of all overseas missions and staffing levels and the reallocation of resources to achieve a leaner, streamlined, more agile, and more secure U.S. Government presence abroad. The Committee expects agencies funded in this bill to cooperate fully with all interagency efforts to achieve effective right-sizing.
The 1998 terrorist attacks on two U.S. Embassies in Africa highlighted security deficiencies in diplomatic facilities. The bombings in Saudi Arabia, the assassination of a USAID employee in Jordan, and the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kenya underscore continued threats against U.S. personnel overseas. The attacks on the American Embassies in Africa prompted the creation of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel, which proposed significant recommendations regarding right-sizing that have subsequently been embraced by this Committee, and included in the President's Management Agenda. In addition, the General Accounting Office (GAO) has studied right-sizing the Nation's overseas presence. The GAO reports found that U.S. agencies' staffing projections for new embassy compounds are developed without a systematic approach or comprehensive right-sizing analysis. In response, the GAO developed a framework of questions designed to link staffing levels to three critical elements of overseas diplomatic operations: (1) physical/technical security of facilities and employees; (2) mission priorities and requirements; and (3) cost of operations. In light of continuing security vulnerability, the Committee intends to ensure that such a framework is established and followed.
The Committee expects that the fiscal year 2007 budget request will continue to reflect the application of a right-sizing methodology. Increases or expansions should be justified in terms of mission priorities both within the agency, and within the specific diplomatic mission, and should be, to the maximum extent possible, accompanied by offsetting decreases to maximize the allocation of scarce resources to emerging priorities. A proper plan should include a systematic analysis to bring about a reconfiguration of overseas staffing to the minimum level necessary to meet critical U.S. foreign policy goals. The Committee expects to receive this additional analysis prior to the establishment or expansion of any activities beyond those currently approved.
Fingerprint Technology Standards
International Religious Freedom
The Committee recommends $4,436,641,000 for the Diplomatic and Consular Programs account, including $689,523,000 to continue funding for worldwide security upgrades, and $340,000,000 for public diplomacy international information programs.
This appropriation provides for the formulation and execution of United States foreign policy, including the conduct of diplomatic and consular relations with foreign countries, diplomatic relations with international organizations, and related activities. The account includes funding for the regional, program, and operations bureaus and offices of the Department of State and the Foreign Service.
The recommendation represents a decrease of $36,000,000 below the request, and a decrease of $469,579,000 below the current year, including supplemental amounts. Within this total, the recommendation of $689,523,000 for worldwide security upgrades is $39,619,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level and the same amount as requested. Exclusive of worldwide security upgrade programs, the recommendation includes $198,761,000 for pay and inflationary adjustments to base, offsets of one-time only programs totaling $6,027,000, and increases of $24,493,000. Security funding increases are described under the `Worldwide Security Upgrades' section below:
Staffing Increases.--The Committee recommendation includes a program increase of $20,918,000 and 100 positions for non-security staffing to respond to high-priority diplomatic requirements, including 33 positions and $7,700,000 for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization; 47 positions and $9,291,000 for critical staffing needs, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and combating terrorist financing; and 20 positions and $3,927,000 for critical needs language training, including Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dari, Pashto, Korean, and Farsi. In addition to these amounts, $3,575,000 is provided to fully support the Department's regionalization efforts, including the office move from Vienna to Frankfurt, and for costs associated with the Florida regional center.
Since 2001, the Committee has provided increases under the diplomatic and consular account totaling 2,476 new positions above attrition for the State Department. With the increased positions for fiscal year 2006, the Committee will have provided an increase above 2001 positions levels of 1,132 for operational readiness, an increase of 7.5 percent above 2001; 510 new positions for border security/consular affairs, an increase of 24.7 percent; and 734 new positions for worldwide security upgrades, an increase of 140 percent.
The Committee understands that a total of 358 of these new positions will have been allocated to newly opened or expanded posts in Kabul, Tripoli, Baghdad, and Khartoum. Yet, by the end of fiscal year 2006, the Committee expects that a total of 874 new positions will have been provided for operational readiness initiatives around the world, not including the above-named posts. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes 100 new diplomatic and consular positions, instead of the requested increase of 221 positions.
Worldwide Security Upgrades.--The Committee recommendation includes $689,523,000, the full amount requested under Diplomatic and Consular Programs, for the costs of worldwide security upgrades, an increase of $39,619,000 above the current year level. The recommendation includes $639,415,000 for ongoing security activities, including guard services, physical security equipment, armored vehicles, chemical/biological program, personnel, training, and wireless communications; $43,400,000 to continue the perimeter/compound security initiative; and $6,708,000 in security staffing program increases.
Security program increases include 55 positions and $6,708,000, including 3 new positions and $1,196,000 for the high threat protection program; 14 agents and $1,484,000 for protective intelligence investigations to be detailed to the Joint Terrorism Task Forces in the United States; 25 field office agents and $2,650,000 to augment the Department's high threat protection requirement, especially in support of the United Nations General Assembly in New York; 13 positions and $1,378,000 to support additional deployments by the Mobile Security Deployment teams. From the new positions provided, the Committee directs that one full-time agent be dedicated solely to the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center within 30 days of the enactment of this Act.
Public Diplomacy Programs.--In 1999, the United States Information Agency (USIA) programs were merged within the Department of State. At that time the position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs was established. Since then, the Committee has prioritized public diplomacy programs and has included language, designating amounts specifically for public diplomacy efforts. For fiscal year 2006, the recommendation provides $340,000,000 for Public Diplomacy programs under this account, an increase of $12,137,000 above the request. Within the amounts provided, $259,770,000 is for the regional bureaus, $63,197,000 is for the Bureau of International Information Programs, and $17,033,000 is for the functional bureaus/other support costs and payments.
The need to strengthen our public diplomacy continues to gain urgency as we see alarming public opinion polls and foreign media content relating to the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq that reveal profound anti-American sentiments, and often a rejection of our policies. The need for expanded efforts is primarily, but not exclusively, in the Arab and Muslim world.
Further, the Committee directs the Department to increase efforts to counter disinformation and deliberate misinformation, by monitoring hostile media and providing U.S. spokespersons and foreign media with factual information to respond and to counter malicious propaganda about the United States.
The Committee is concerned by negative perceptions about the U.S. among foreign publics. More must be done to understand the sources of such perceptions. In the current year, the Committee has tasked the Department to enlist external expertise to better understand what actions the United States Government (USG), non-profit organizations, the business community, civic society and other actors should take to improve the perception of the U.S. among foreign publics; actions the USG and others can take to direct young, educated people in the Muslim world away from extremism and violence; how public diplomacy can best contribute to effecting real change in the Middle East; and how to improve the presentation of America as the major contributor to the international community as the world's leading donor of food, technology, and financial aid. The Committee recommendation directs the Department to review the conclusions of this study and to provide resources for follow-on efforts.
The Committee recommendation transfers the funding and program management of the American Corners program from the regional bureaus to the Bureau of International Information Programs to enable more oversight and management of the program in the overall context of the Department's public diplomacy programs. In addition, the Committee recommendation supports the transfer of funding and the function of the microscholarship program to the educational and cultural exchanges program.
The Committee continues to believe that separately identifying public diplomacy resources will facilitate the Committee's ability to monitor funding levels and trends for these activities. The amount identified for public diplomacy programs includes the costs of personnel and programs throughout the Department. The Committee expects the Department to identify any impediments to optimal performance of public diplomacy programs and propose any necessary changes, including organizational changes, through the reprogramming process. The recommendation for public diplomacy will support the continuation of programs in the Arab and Muslim world, which have been expanded since fiscal year 2002. The Committee directs the Department to provide quarterly reports to the Committee on the steps taken to increase efforts to counter Anti-American sentiments around the world. The Committee remains disappointed in the plan submitted to the Committee as directed in the statement of managers accompanying the fiscal year 2005 appropriations Act, to outline the criteria for measuring performance of these public diplomacy efforts. The Committee is supportive of the establishment of an office of policy, plans, and resources within the Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, but has been dismayed by the lack of progress in establishing measurable results for Public Diplomacy programs.
The Committee considers United States Government-sponsored international broadcasting to be an essential component of public diplomacy. The Committee expects the State Department to assist the Broadcasting Board of Governors in ensuring that secure broadcasting capabilities are available to critical regions of the world. Since September 11, 2001, the Committee has made significant investments to expand international broadcasting efforts, primarily in the Arab and Muslim world. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to report back to the Committee on diplomatic efforts it has taken to support the expansion of the audiences for U.S. international broadcasting transmissions to this region of the world. The Committee expects this report to be submitted to the Committee no later than November 11, 2005.
The Committee supports the Bureau of International Information Program's (IIP) efforts to work to implement book programs in a variety of overseas countries, working with public affairs officers at the U.S. embassies. The Committee recommends the continuation of funding at the current year level, and urges the Department to ensure that book programs meet all appropriate reporting requirements. The Committee expects the IIP Bureau to evaluate these programs, to include operations, activities, and accomplishments. The Committee expects the Department to document how the book program supported the specific program goals, and measure the impact of the books on the target audience.
Intelligence and Research.--The Committee recommendation includes an increase of $5,000,000 above the requested level of funding for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research to focus on preventing terrorism, resolving regional conflicts, preventing and curtailing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and anticipating and responding to humanitarian crises. The Committee continues to support the Bureau's efforts to carry out global public opinion polling.
Border Security Program.--The recommendation includes $930,610,000 for the Department's Border Security program, of which $74,213,000 is from appropriated funds, $672,097,000 is funded through collection of Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fees and $184,300,000 is to be funded through the Enhanced Border Security Program Fees and Visa Fraud Fees. The total amount is an increase of $66,144,000 above the fiscal year 2005 program level. This funding level includes a program increase of 55 new positions for a total position base of 2,662 positions by the end of fiscal year 2006. The Committee understands these new positions are needed to handle the increased domestic passport workload as well as changes in the visa process, including more extensive interviewing of applicants and the implementation of biometric collection. The Committee directs the Department to continue its bimonthly reporting on MRV fee revenue as specified in the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 2003 Supplemental Appropriations Act (Public Law 108-11).
The Committee urges the Department to continue to work on an interagency basis to strengthen the visa process to make it an effective anti-terrorism tool, while avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers or delays to legitimate travel to the United States. In addition, the Committee continues to support Bureau of Consular Affairs efforts to implement the diversity visa program.
Fingerprint Technology Standards.--In a December 2004 report, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice concluded that the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State have not agreed on a uniform fingerprint technology standard nor have they agreed on how to develop a fully interoperable system that provides law enforcement agencies with readily and easily available access to Homeland Security records. The report goes on to state that the Department of Justice cannot proceed with planning to make the FBI fingerprint database interoperable with systems from the Departments of Homeland Security and State until decisions are made regarding who will be subject to fingerprint searches, the standard to be used, the databases to be used, and other issues. In testimony before the Committee, the Departments of State and Justice stated that they are working within the Administration to resolve these issues. The Committee expects both Departments to resolve these issues expeditiously and report back to the Committee within 90 days of the enactment of this Act. The Committee is dismayed that this issue remains unsolved and believes that this represents an unacceptable lapse in national security.
Interagency Task Force.--The recommendation continues base funding for costs associated with the operation of a U.S. Government interagency task force to monitor the United Nations headquarters renovation project.
Minority Recruitment and Hiring.--The Department is directed to continue base funding for the educational partnership with Hostos Community College and Columbia University. This program supports the Department's ongoing efforts to increase minority hiring and diversity by facilitating the preparation of non-traditional and minority students for careers in the Foreign Service and the State Department. The Committee also expects the Department to continue base funding for an ongoing partnership with Howard University in support of the Department's efforts to enhance the diversity of the U.S. diplomatic corps by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in foreign relations and international affairs careers. These resources are to continue and expand the successful collaborative partnership between the Department and Howard University to recruit and prepare students from various institutions with large minority populations for positions in the U.S. Foreign Service.
Overseas Schools.--The Committee commends the Consolidated Overseas Schools Assistance Program for its continuing effectiveness in improving the quality of education for American children residing abroad. This program fulfills the two-fold purpose of providing a high quality, American-style education for children of Americans assigned overseas and demonstrating American educational philosophy and practice to children of other countries and local educators. The Committee also commends the continuing contribution of the Overseas Schools Advisory Council and its Program of Educational Assistance that helps provide educational excellence to American overseas schools. In addition, the Council successfully promotes financial and in-kind support to these schools from American businesses and foundations, as well as volunteer participation in activities of the schools by American firms' employees and their spouses stationed overseas.
Security of Classified Material.--Consistent with the report submitted to the Committee in 2002 and language included since fiscal year 2004, the recommendation includes necessary sums to continue efforts to replace locks used to secure classified information
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Tibet.--A number of provisions in the Tibetan Policy Act fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of State including provisions concerning establishment of a U.S. presence in Lhasa; Tibetan language training and requirements for Foreign Service officers; promotion of advocacy on religious freedom in Tibet; necessary support for the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues; and the need to raise inter-departmental awareness of the provisions of this legislation. The Committee urges the relevant bureaus and offices within the Department to ensure the full implementation of the Tibetan Policy Act. The Committee directs the Department to report to the Committee on Appropriations, 90 days after enactment, on the steps it has taken to fully implement the Tibetan Policy Act.
In view of the Department of State's recent report to the Committee on implementation of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, the Committee recognizes the important role played by the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in implementing this Act. To this end, the Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 for salaries and expenses for an office to support the Coordinator in carrying out the broad responsibilities detailed in Section 621(d) of PL 107-228, as well as for convening coordinating meetings for appropriate United States Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of the Tibetan leadership. The Committee expects that the office will consist of approximately three professional full-time staff and such support staff as may be needed, in addition to the Special Coordinator.
Legislative Affairs.--The recommendation includes language, similar to language carried for the other Departments funded under this Act, establishing a budget and position ceiling for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
Stabilization and Reconstruction.--The Committee strongly supports the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. The Committee understands that this office will be the central entity to plan and coordinate United States Government civilian activities in pre- and post-conflict environments, and to coordinate the U.S. government reaction to complex contingencies. The Committee understands that this office would improve operational response time in the areas of reconstruction, stabilization, and humanitarian assistance. The Committee appreciates the Department's recognition of the requirement to provide a civilian management component to stabilization and reconstruction efforts. The Committee supports the efforts to maintain a capacity that can mobilize U.S. experts from Federal, State, and local levels, as well as from the private and non-profit sectors, to respond to post-conflict and other emergencies. The recommendation continues the level of support provided through the fiscal year 2005 supplemental appropriations. The Committee expects to be notified of any expansion of the office or additional funding requirements as required by section 605 of this Act.
Export Control Process.--American industry is being hampered in the international marketplace by the lack of a clear-cut, well understood and responsive export control policy. Therefore, the Committee directs the State Department, in consultation with the Commerce Department, to provide a plan within 90 days of enactment of this Act to help effectuate a more timely and accurate export licensing process.
Trafficking in Persons.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the serious problem of international trafficking in persons. The Committee recommendation continues funding for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The Committee supports the efforts of the Office to further strengthen the annual reporting process and those of the Department-led Senior Policy Operating Group to coordinate interagency activities to implement the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act of 2000.
Drug Trafficking.--The cultivation of opium poppies has flourished in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. The Committee finds this to be an unacceptable trend and directs the Department to support the Afghanistan government's efforts to combat the trafficking of heroin.
International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system (ICASS).--The ICASS system was intended to empower all U.S. government agencies located at an overseas post to more efficiently and economically provide administrative support services. The Committee understands that nearly 18,000 personnel located overseas are considered ICASS staff. Approximately ninety-five percent are local hires and the remaining are American direct hires. The Government Accountability Office has concluded a review of the ICASS system and has highlighted concerns. Many positions charged as ICASS positions in overseas posts are not categorized as such by the local ICASS council. In a time of severe budget constraints the Department is directed to ensure the integrity of this program.
War Crimes.--Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, has been indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone and faces 17 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian law. Charles Taylor organized and ordered widespread and systematic attacks on the civilian population of Sierra Leone. According to the indictment, his supporters commonly used abductions, hacking off of limbs, facial and bodily mutilations, and gang rapes to wage a terror campaign against civilians who did not fully support the Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone. The Committee directs the Department to take all necessary steps to ensure that Charles Taylor is handed over to the custody of the Special Court and brought to justice.
International Religious Freedom.--The recommendation continues funding for the Office of International Religious Freedom in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. The Committee continues to support the integration of religious freedom into United States foreign policy. The Committee expects the Office to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to promote religious liberty, and to assist in the preparation of the Human Rights Reports and the annual Report on International Religious Freedom. The Committee also expects the Office, in consultation with the Commission on International Religious Freedom, to work to further incorporate religious freedom themes in the Department's public diplomacy programs. In addition, the Committee expects the Department to continue to integrate the internationally recognized right to freedom of religion into Foreign Service Officer training at all levels. The Director of the National Foreign Affairs Training Center should work with the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on incorporating international religious freedom issues, including materials, curriculum, and innovative ways to integrate religious freedom issues into the training modules.
The Committee urges to every extent possible the Secretary of State to continue to monitor and promote religious freedom and human rights in Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The Committee further expects the Secretary of State to use all available forums and formal actions to address violations of religious freedom in these countries. The Secretary of State should continue to consult with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to promote religious freedom and human rights abroad.
The Committee directs that within the planned personnel complement for Baghdad, Iraq, that one Foreign Service Officer be assigned as the lead human rights official in Baghdad. This officer should be tasked with encouraging incorporation of human rights principles during Iraq's constitutional and legal reconstruction, and especially to secure strong human rights provisions, including freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, in the permanent Iraqi constitution.
Right-Sizing the U.S. Government Presence Overseas.--The Committee continues to define right-sizing as the reconfiguration of overseas U.S. Government staff to the number necessary to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals. The Committee is convinced, and agrees with the recommendation of the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel, that rationalizing staffing and operations abroad has the potential for significant budgetary savings. It costs two to three times as much to maintain an employee outside of the United States as it does within the United States. The notion of right-sizing as a desirable means to improve security and gain efficiencies implies that the current number of overseas staff in some locations is greater than the minimum number necessary, and that the presence of a number greater than the minimum number presents an unnecessary and unacceptable financial and security burden. Given the security requirements for the U.S. mission in Iraq, the Committee strongly urges the Department to use the most stringent criteria for determining staffing levels. As part of the overall right-sizing function, the Committee encourages the Department to review the ICASS system and fully explore how ICASS can contribute to right-sizing efforts. The Committee recommendation continues funding for the Office on Right-Sizing the United States Government Overseas Presence.
Presence in China.--The United States currently maintains six diplomatic facilities in the People's Republic of China. Given the size of China's population and its rapid economic growth, the Committee believes that our relations with China are growing in importance and workload. Many of the American companies exporting goods and services regard China as an important marketplace. Yet, many American companies find China to be a source of many unfair trading practices which are detrimental to the economic security of certain companies. The Committee expects that staffing plans will reflect this reality. Further, the Committee continues to emphasize the key human rights, religious freedom, economic and military issues the Department will have to monitor in the coming years. The Committee is concerned that the Department's number of proficient Chinese language speakers is inadequate to meet the anticipated presence requirements in China. The Committee expects the Department to increase language training, as necessary.
The Committee continues to urge the Department and the Administration to actively seek legislation to provide just and equitable compensation for all victims of international terrorism and their surviving family members.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Enforcement.--Experts report that the problem with pirating and counterfeiting has grown to an estimated $200 billion a year problem and the theft of artistic and scientific creation is draining our economy. The Committee notes the United States has not yet taken an intellectual property rights enforcement case against its trading partners to stem the hemorrhaging of U.S. intellectual property. The embassies in key markets, including China, Russia, and Brazil should conduct market surveys to determine methodologies/benchmarks for measuring levels of piracy and counterfeiting, and to conduct market research to determine the actual levels of piracy/counterfeiting. The Committee expects the Department to work closely with industry and to work with economist/market research firms, as practicable.
Some of China's IPR problems are attributable to rogue provinces and localities that do not adhere to IPR directives of the central government. The U.S. government including the State Department and the United States Trade Representative's Office should develop expertise on the situation in key provinces, and increase dialogue with officials in those provinces to enable the implementation of IPR commitments.
Inter-country Adoption.--The Committee is concerned that the on-going delay in implementing the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, which was ratified by the United States Senate in 2000, is a hindrance to U.S. negotiations with other countries to lower barriers to international adoption. While the Department has proposed regulations to implement the treaty, they must publish final regulations in order for the United States to formally ratify the treaty. The Committee encourages the Department to transmit completed regulations to the Office of Management and Budget for final approval within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
The Committee has included language in the bill, similar to language in prior years, which: (1) permits not to exceed $4,000,000 to be transferred to the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account for emergency evacuations and terrorism rewards; (2) provides $1,426,000 in fees collected from other Executive Branch agencies and $490,000 from reserves for lease or use of facilities at the International Center Complex, as authorized by law; (3) provides not to exceed $15,000 from reimbursements, surcharges, and fees for use of Blair House facilities in accordance with the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956; (4) requires notification of Congress before processing licenses for the export of satellites to China; and (5) makes not to exceed $6,000,000 in fee collections available until expended for various activities.
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Educational Spending and funds for Presentation
The bill includes a total of $410,400,000 for the Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs of the Department of State. This amount is $54,468,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level, and $20,000,000 below the budget request.
Funding provided under this heading, supports international educational and cultural exchange programs, including the Fulbright student and scholar exchanges and the International Visitors Program, as well as related staff and administrative costs. To the maximum extent possible, the Committee urges that the following exchange programs be supported: the Congress-Bundestag youth exchange program; the disability exchange clearinghouse; foreign study grants for U.S. undergraduates; Future leaders exchange programs; Teaching Excellence Awards and Partnerships in Education; Educational advising in Eurasia; Muskie Graduate and Ph.D. Fellowships; Youth Exchange and Excellence Award programs; the Junior Faculty Development program; educational advising and counseling; citizen exchange programs; interparliamentary exchanges; youth science leadership exchanges; American overseas research centers; Mitchell Scholarships; and exchanges with Tibet, the South Pacific, and Timor Leste. Regarding the Congress-Bundestag Program, the Committee intends that the amount provided will support 380 exchanges in fiscal year 2006, the same level as in fiscal year 2005.
Further, the Committee directs the Department to review proposals from the Virginia Military Institute to initiate an exchange of students with the American University in Beirut, and with the Christopher Newport University to initiate cultural exchanges regarding the World Leaders Forum on the Future of Democracy. The Committee also supports the placement of a Fulbright scholar at the Center for American Studies and Research of the American University of Beirut.
Regarding Fulbright exchanges with Tibet, the Committee expects that sufficient resources will be allocated to provide for 25 Tibetan scholars for the academic year. Regarding Citizen Exchanges, the Committee expects that increased resources will be allocated to the Traditional Public-Private Partnership grants in a sufficient amount to allow for the expansion of operations, programs, and alumni outreach. The Committee continues to support artistic and cultural exchange of persons programs as an important component of foreign policy. Within the levels provided, sufficient funds should be made available to continue such exchanges. Further, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is expected to work with the Bureau of Consular Affairs to minimize unnecessary barriers or delays to legitimate travel to the United States for the purpose of such exchanges.
The Committee recommendation continues enhanced support for programs to engage Arab and Muslim audiences through educational and cultural exchanges as the highest programmatic priority under this account. The Committee expects the Department to allocate adequate funding to continue and expand Fulbright Exchanges (including American Studies), English Language Programs (including English Language Fellows), International Visitor programs, and Values/Religious Tolerance programs (including cultural exchanges) for these audiences.
The Committee supports the transfer of the microscholarship program funding from under the diplomatic and consular services account to this account to ensure a more seamless application and monitoring process. The Committee understands this program has provided more than 3,000 English language microscholarships to young people in many Arab and Muslim regions of the world. The focus of this program is to provide English language training to non-elite audiences with the hope that learning English will open a window to the English-speaking world, helping to dispel misinformation and misunderstandings that can breed resentment of the United States and its citizens.
The Committee lauds the efforts of the educational and cultural exchange programs (ECA). ECA received from the Office of Management and Budget Program Assessment Rating Tools (PART) ratings of 98 percent and 97 percent, the highest in the State Department and in the top one-percent in the Executive Branch.
The Committee expects that a proposal for the programmatic and geographic distribution of available resources (including unobligated balances and recoveries) will be submitted through the normal reprogramming process within 60 days from the date of enactment of this Act. The Committee expects that the overall funding distribution will conform to the programmatic and geographical guidance above.
The Committee supports exchange programs for foreign visitors and students on religious freedom, the relationship between religion and the state, and the role of religion in civil society. The Department of State is urged to expand existing religious freedom programs and consider new initiatives in its Educational and Cultural Exchange programs. The Department should consult with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on specific countries in regards to tailored programs for visitors and students from those countries.
The Committee recommendation includes a limitation of not to exceed $2,000,000 on the use of fees or other payments received from or in connection with English teaching, educational advising and counseling, and exchange visitor programs as authorized by law.
The Committee recommends $8,281,000 for representation allowances authorized by section 905 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. This amount is $243,000 below the amount available in fiscal year 2005 and the same as the budget request. These funds are used to reimburse Foreign Service Officers for expenditures incurred in their official capacities abroad in establishing and maintaining relations with officials of foreign governments and appropriate members of local communities. The Department shall submit a quarterly report to the Committee containing detailed information on the allotment and expenditure of this appropriation.
Protection of Foreign Missions and Embassy Security
The Committee recommends a total of $9,390,000 for the Protection of Foreign Missions and Officials account. This is $372,000 below the amount available in fiscal year 2005, and the same as the request.
This account reimburses local governments and communities for the extraordinary costs incurred in providing protection for international organizations, foreign missions and officials, and foreign dignitaries under certain circumstances. The Committee believes that local jurisdictions incurring such costs must submit a certified billing for such costs in accordance with program regulations. The Committee also believes that, in those instances where a local jurisdiction will realize a financial benefit from a visit by a foreign dignitary through increased tax revenues, such circumstances should be taken into account by the Department in assessing the need for reimbursement under this program. The Committee expects the Department to treat such submissions diligently and provide reimbursement to local jurisdictions on a timely basis if claims are fully justified.
The Committee is aware of concerns regarding the level of reimbursement for protection expenses in light of heightened security measures since September 11, 2001. The Committee directs the Department to report to the Committee within 30 days of the enactment of this Act on the amount of valid outstanding reimbursement claims; the availability of appropriated funds to pay such claims, including balances of prior year supplemental appropriations; and how the Department intends to budget for such needs in future years.
The Committee recommends a total appropriation of $1,513,710,000 for Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance. This amount is $10,066,000 above the amount available in fiscal year 2005 (excluding supplemental appropriations) and $12,290,000 below the budget request. The recommendation designates $910,200,000 as available only for priority worldwide security upgrades, acquisition, and construction, the full amount requested for such activities. The recommendation includes $603,510,000 for non-security related costs, which is the same as the amount provided in fiscal year 2005 and $12,290,000 below the budget request.
This account provides funds to manage U.S. Government real property overseas and maintain Government-owned and long-term leased properties at approximately 260 posts, and to lease office and functional facilities and residential units, not only for the Department of State, but also for all U.S. employees overseas.
Worldwide Security Upgrades- The Committee recommendation includes $910,200,000 for security projects, the full amount requested and an increase of $10,066,000 over the fiscal year 2005 level, to continue the capital security program of constructing new secure replacement facilities for the Department's most vulnerable embassies and consulates and providing additional security measures and upgrades. The Committee expects that projects undertaken under this program will address the security of the highest priority facilities. In previous fiscal years, the Department has proposed to reprogram funds under this activity for projects that do not address top priority security vulnerabilities and for projects that will not result, when complete, in a facility that meets existing security standards. The Committee expects that worldwide security funds will be used only for projects that meet these specifications. The Committee recommendation will support the construction of an estimated nine new embassy compounds, four United States Agency for International Development (USAID) buildings on secure embassy compounds, the design of an additional new embassy compound, and the acquisition of a number of secure sites for future embassy compound construction. The Committee notes that funding provided under this heading for USAID facilities is expected to be supplemented by USAID contributions through the Capital Security Cost Sharing Program, which is discussed in more detail below.
The Committee recommendation also includes $100,000,000, the amount requested, to continue the compound security upgrade program. The Committee understands that this program includes the installation of forced entry/ballistic resistant roof hatches, vault doors and power-assisted vehicle barriers, and other similar measures. The Committee expects that this funding will also provide physical security improvements to residential compounds and other locations where American citizens gather. Priority should be given to residential and compound security.
The Committee expects that a proposed spending plan for the entire amount of available resources for worldwide security upgrades will be submitted through the normal reprogramming process within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act. The Department shall notify the Committee immediately if there are any facilities that the Department believes face serious security risks.
The Committee continues to support the Capital Security Cost Sharing Program. Under this program, all agencies that have staff overseas under Chief of Mission authority pay a fair share of urgent, security-driven capital projects undertaken to replace embassies and consulates at the most vulnerable posts. The goals of this program are twofold. First, the program accelerates the replacement of unsafe, unsecured and outdated diplomatic facilities that are used overseas by U.S. Government agencies. This is planned as a 14-year, $17,500,000,000 program to replace 150 vulnerable embassy and consulate facilities with new compounds that fully comply with statutory security requirements. Second, the program will create incentives within all government departments and agencies to scrutinize and `right-size' their overseas presence to avoid unnecessary costs and security risks. Each agency with staff overseas under Chief of Mission authority has, built into their fiscal year 2006 budget request, an annual contribution towards construction of new secure diplomatic facilities based on the number of positions overseas and the type of space occupied. These contributions do not take the place of State Department contributions, which are also growing, but create a larger, shared funding pool to accelerate replacement.
The recommendation assumes a total program level of $1,013,300,000 in fiscal year 2006 for Capital Security Construction, including $810,200,000 under this account, and $203,100,000 from non-State agencies, based on positions worldwide. Of this total, the additional amount generated by the Capital Security Cost Sharing program is $596,716,000; which consists of $393,616,000 from the State Department that is included in the recommendation under this account, and $203,000,000 from non-state agencies. The Committee understands that there is an anticipated five-year phase-in period for the program, wherein the total Government-wide amount grows from $1,013,300,000 in fiscal year 2006 to $1,400,000,000, then remains at that level for the next 8 years. The Committee further understands that the program will include agency involvement in setting priorities and in other aspects of the development of new embassy compounds. The Committee believes that the establishment of strong interagency coordination and cooperation will be critical to achievement of program goals and encourages the Department and the Administration to ensure that the management of this program is inclusive, cooperative and transparent.
The Committee recommendation provides $603,510,000 for operations and maintenance activities, which is $12,290,000 below the request, and the same as the current year level. The Committee notes that the requested amount included $22,356,000 in program increases. The Committee recommendation also includes $8,609,000 for headquarters operations. The Committee directs the Department to prioritize requested funding increases and to specifically identify amounts above current services in a comprehensive spending plan to be submitted no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act.
Assets Management- The budget request designates $107,052,000 in assets management funds planned for obligation in fiscal year 2006. The Committee expects that these funds will be used for opportunity purchases to replace uneconomical leases and for other priority capital acquisition purposes. In addition, as in previous years, the Committee expects that assets management funds will continue to be allocated in part to security construction needs. Any use of these or additional assets management funds in fiscal year 2006 is subject to reprogramming. In addition, with respect to the requirement that a reprogramming for any major new start be submitted, the Committee understands that requirement to mean that any rehabilitation or construction projects involving an ambassador's residence will be subject to the requirement. In addition to regular reporting provided to the Committee on acquisition and disposal of overseas property, the Department shall submit a report to the Committee by November 11, 2005, listing all properties disposed of, or in process for disposal, along with associated actual or anticipated proceeds of sale, at posts which have had funding approved for the construction of a new secure compound in, or after, fiscal year 1999.
The recommendation continues language carried in the bill in previous years that prohibits funds from being used for acquisition of furniture and furnishings and generators for other departments and agencies.
The Committee commends the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) for continuing its internal management innovations to increase performance and accountability, to streamline operations, and to control costs. Recognizing that the increased complexity of a growing program of construction, real estate, operations/maintenance, and planning activities requires greater technological and information systems integration, the Committee encourages OBO to pursue development of integrated building management systems. Such technology upgrades to integrate disparate legacy systems will protect the large and continuing investment of taxpayer resources in overseas properties and those who occupy them. The Committee has provided sufficient resources to support this effort.
The Committee expects that new embassy projects advanced by the Department will have been properly planned and right-sized, with regional considerations, projecting anticipated needs and requirements by the date submitted to Congress. In rare circumstances where global conditions dictate a significant change in requirements after Congress has approved funding for a specific project, the Department should be proactive in informing Congress and requesting any additional funding without risking execution of projects already approved. The Committee directs the Department to execute the new embassy compound as planned for Khartoum, Sudan within the $76,100,000 appropriated in fiscal year 2005. Any changes to requirements, including follow-on requirements, either for an enlarged mission in Khartoum or for any change in staffing in the region, should be communicated to this Committee within 120 days of enactment, including a re-prioritized ranking of other posts within the region for which project funding would be deferred in favor of these new requirements.
Right-Sizing the U.S. Government Overseas Presence- The Committee directs the Office of Overseas Buildings Operation to work closely with the Office on Right-Sizing the U.S. Government Overseas Presence to ensure that projected staffing levels for new embassy compounds are prepared in a disciplined and realistic manner and that these estimates become a basis for determining the size, configuration and budget of new embassy compound construction projects. The justification for all facilities projects funded under this account must include a full explanation of regional efficiency and security planning, and related staffing assumptions. Such projects will not be approved for funding absent evidence of the application of a uniform right-sizing methodology.
Emergency Spending Account and Repatriation Loans
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 to enable the Secretary of State to meet unforeseen emergencies arising in the Diplomatic and Consular Service. This amount is $9,013,000 above the fiscal year 2005 appropriation, and $3,643,000 below the budget request. In addition, the Committee expects significant carryover balances to be available for obligation in fiscal year 2006. Funding provided in this account is available until expended.
The recommendation includes new language as a general provision in title IV to expand the eligible recipients of rewards from the rewards program.
The Committee has included a provision in the bill that permits up to $1,000,000 to be transferred from this account to the Repatriation Loans Program account, as requested in the budget. This provision will ensure an adequate level of resources for loans to American citizens through the Repatriation Loans Program account should that account require additional funds in fiscal year 2006 due to an unanticipated increase in the number of loans.
This appropriation provides resources for the Department of State to meet emergency requirements in the conduct of foreign affairs. The Committee recommendation provides funds for: (1) travel and subsistence expenses for relocation of American employees of the United States Government and their families from troubled areas to the United States and/or safe-haven posts; (2) allowances granted to State Department employees and their dependents evacuated to the United States for the convenience of the Government; and (3) payment of rewards for information concerning terrorist activities.
The Committee recommendation includes $712,000 for the subsidy cost of repatriation loans and $607,000 for administrative costs of the program as authorized by 22 U.S.C. 2671, which is $116,000 above the amount available in fiscal year 2005 and the same as the budget request.
This account provides emergency loans to assist destitute Americans abroad who have no other source of funds to return to the United States.
American Institute in Taiwan and Pensions
The Committee recommends $19,751,000 for the appropriation entitled `Payment to the American Institute in Taiwan'. This amount is $529,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level and the same as the request. The recommendation provides for the Institute's pay and inflationary base adjustments. In addition, the Institute is authorized to collect Machine Readable Visa fees, as well as reimbursements from agencies and user fees from trade show exhibitors.
The Committee expects that the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) will cover anticipated operating expenses in fiscal year 2006 through a combination of appropriations and visa fee revenues. The Committee expects the Department to submit by November 1, 2005, an AIT spending plan for fiscal year 2006, indicating the total amount of estimated fee collections, the amount of such fee collections allocated for operating expenses, and the total amount planned for operating expenses from all funding sources.
The Taiwan Relations Act requires that programs concerning Taiwan be carried out by the American Institute in Taiwan and authorizes funds to be appropriated to the Secretary of State to carry out the provisions of the Act. The Institute administers programs in the areas of economic and commercial services, cultural affairs, travel services, and logistics. The Department of State contracts with the American Institute in Taiwan to carry out these activities.
The Committee recommends $131,700,000 for the appropriation entitled `Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund'. This amount is the full budget request and $900,000 below the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2005. The amount provided in the Committee recommendation is required to amortize the unfunded liability in the system, as documented by the annual evaluation of Fund balances.
This appropriation, which is considered mandatory for budget scorekeeping purposes, is authorized by the Foreign Service Act of 1980, which provides for an appropriation to the Fund in 30 equal annual installments of the amount required for the unfunded liability created by new benefits, new groups of beneficiaries, or increased salaries on which benefits are computed. The Retirement Fund is maintained through contributions made by participants, matching government contributions, special government contributions (including this account), interest on investments, and voluntary contributions.
Contributions to International Organizations
The recommendation includes a total of $1,166,212,000 for payment of obligations of United States membership in international organizations as authorized by conventions, treaties, or specific Acts of Congress for fiscal year 2006. This amount is $130,288,000 below the amount in the request, and the same amount available in fiscal year 2005.
The amount provided in the bill is intended to pay assessments for membership in international organizations, including the United Nations (U.N.). Funding in the bill is consistent with the U.S. policy of zero nominal growth for the United Nations budget.
In addition, the amount provides funding for assessments for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the related North Atlantic Assembly, International War Crimes Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, the Organization of American States, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Pan American Health Organization.
Estimates of the amount required to cover fiscal year 2006 assessments have varied based on the most recent foreign currency exchange rates for the dollar, which has fluctuated since the budget request was formulated. The Committee expects that these exchange rate fluctuations may result in losses. The Department may propose to offset these by transfers from other accounts, or deferring some activities included in the request that do not require funding in fiscal year 2006.
Reassessment of U.S. Membership in International Organizations.--The Committee notes, with approval, the Department's actions to formally withdraw from certain international organizations where continued U.S. participation was determined to be a low priority in the context of overall U.S. national interests. The Committee continues to support the comprehensive reassessment of U.S. membership in each of the 45 international organizations for which funding is requested under this account, and to insist that the Department take the necessary measures to operate within the amount of funds provided under this account.
The Committee expects the Department to take immediate action to evaluate and prioritize United States participation in, and funding for, international organizations. In a climate of limited resources the Committee continues to insist that the Department live within appropriated amounts, prioritize as necessary among organizations according to policy goals, take steps as necessary to withdraw from lower priority organizations, and refrain from entering into new commitments.
China's U.N. Assessment Rate.--China's real gross domestic product (GDP) is growing exponentially. In the first quarter of 2005, real GDP grew by 9.5 percent. Yet, China's U.N. assessment rate remains at two-percent. The Committee expects the Department to work continually to ensure equity in the assessment rates, and specifically, to report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this Act, as to whether the current assessment formula should be revised.
Reform and Budget Discipline.--The Committee continues to insist on reform and budget discipline as a priority for all of the international organizations, including the development of processes to evaluate, prioritize and terminate programs. The Committee believes that the onus is on each international organization and the State Department representatives to those organizations, to reduce overall budgets and eliminate duplicative activities, excessive administrative costs, and inefficient operations.
The Committee has been instrumental in pushing for accountability for the U.N. organizations. Reform of the United Nations must be a top priority for the State Department in fiscal year 2006. The U.S. effort must address a wide range of activities, such as management reform, budget priorities and the sprawling array of programs, personnel issues, and the deplorable state of the Human Rights Commission.
U.N. Regular Budget.--The Committee strongly supports the United States policy of zero nominal growth budgets for international organizations. Toward this end, the Committee expects the Department to insist on the evaluation and prioritization of ongoing U.N. programs and activities, so that in the event of unanticipated requirements budget offsets may be taken from activities and programs that have already been determined to be lower-priority by the organization. The Committee notes additional requirements relating to Iraq, Afghanistan and security-related costs are expected. However, the Committee continues its direction to find appropriate offsets to accommodate such increases within a zero nominal growth budget. The United Nations Regular Budget biennium 2004-2005 adopted budget of $3,160,860,000, then revised to include an increase of $534,620,000 for a total of $3,695,480,000, of which the United States is assessed 22 percent. The fiscal year 2006 appropriation request pursuant to this budget is $438,952,000.
Language is included to require that any proposal that would result in the 2006-2007 U.N. biennial budget exceeding the revised biennial budget level of $3,695,480,000 for 2004-2005 be communicated to the Committee in advance of the formal notification, consideration, and adoption of such a proposal in the General Assembly. The Committee expects the Secretary to notify the Committee in advance of any United Nations action to increase funding for any United Nations program without identifying an offsetting decrease elsewhere in the United Nations budget.
Overall, the Committee requires more detailed information prior to the United States agreeing to such increases without identifying offsetting decreases and management reforms. Further, the State Department must actively pursue a streamlined budget that reflects the true priorities of the organization, without duplicative and ineffective programs.
Americans Working in the United Nations.--The Committee directs the Department to increase the number of qualified Americans employed by the United Nations and international organizations. The Committee recognizes that Americans provide many skills that can contribute to making the U.N. more efficient, effective and more accountable. The Committee remains dismayed that the representation of Americans in U.N. posts subject to geographic distribution has remained relatively flat since 2001. The Department has begun an interagency process to improve the candidate pool of eligible Americans, but there has been no measurable success. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department of State to work with universities and government agencies to educate Americans on opportunities for careers in the United Nations system, including the holding of recruiting fairs. The Committee directs recruiting efforts begin in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC metropolitan area, and New York City by no later than January 15, 2006. The Department shall report to the Committee no later than March 15, 2006, on the progress of such efforts.
The Committee notes the importance of the U.N. in promoting health, providing humanitarian assistance, fostering conflict resolution, and providing an international forum for world issues. However, the Committee is appalled by recent developments in a number of areas. The Committee notes that the United Nation's Oil for Food program in Iraq is marred by allegations of corruption--that it aided or abetted a tyrannical regime and undermined the international community's good will. Further, the Committee urges the U.N. to do more to resolve the conflicts and humanitarian crises in Sudan--where war has ravaged the country for decades at the cost of millions of lives. Finally, the United Nations' leadership and legitimacy are tarnished by continued failure to bring to justice those individuals involved in improper and illegal activities of individuals financed by the United Nations, such as U.N. peacekeepers and civilian personnel alleged to have been involved in sexual abuse of minors.
Task Force on the United Nations.--In the current year, the Committee included language directing the United States Institute of Peace to create a Task Force on the United Nations. The task force is directed to assess the extent to which the United Nations is fulfilling the purposes stated in its Charter and recommend an actionable agenda for the United States on the United Nations. The task force will examine the ability of the United Nations in the following: preventing and ending conflicts and building stable societies; preventing and responding to genocide and gross human rights violations; preventing catastrophic terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; ensuring the effectiveness, integrity, transparency, and accountability of the U.N. system; and fostering economic development and reducing poverty. The Committee directed the task force to report back to the Committee by early June 2005.
United Nations Oil-For-Food Program.--The Committee continues to expect the Department to bring all necessary resources to bear on the investigation of fraud and bribery allegations regarding the United Nations Oil-For-Food Program. The Committee expects the Department to provide all requested documentation to Congressional Committees, and to provide any requested support to the Secretary General's Independent Inquiry Committee. The Committee strongly supports this Inquiry and expects the Inquiry Committee's review to be thorough, rigorous, and expeditious.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).--The Committee notes, with approval, the efforts of the Department and the U.S. delegation to establish a cap on the cost of the NATO Headquarters project, and the existence of an agreement between the Department of Defense and the Department of State as to the allocation of costs of the U.S. contribution to the project. To date, the Committee has appropriated $35,000,000 for the NATO Headquarters project. The Committee continues its direction to the Department to ensure the facility meets the necessary security requirements. The Department shall keep the Committee apprised of progress on this matter.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).--The Committee notes, with approval, the IAEA's efforts to increase safeguards efforts to provide essential assurance that nuclear materials used in peaceful nuclear programs are not diverted and misused for nuclear explosive purposes or by terrorists.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).--The Committee continues to support the work done by the Pan American Health Organization. PAHO has taken the lead in health issues, including border health concerns, emerging diseases, and bio-terrorism, that have an impact on citizens of the United States and all citizens of the Americas. PAHO's work in the field addressing concerns such as the SARS virus and similar viruses, including the potential reemergence of polio, highlight the importance of PAHO to the United States.
United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).--The Committee notes, with approval, UNESCO's efforts to provide `education for all'. The goal of this program is to eradicate global illiteracy in the next 15 years. The Committee supports the efforts of UNESCO, which mirror U.S. efforts to educate women, expand awareness of public health issues, and fight poverty through education. The Committee is aware that the Executive Committee is developing proposals for high priority program reinforcements through innovative mechanisms.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).--The Committee is concerned by allegations of misconduct within WIPO and expects the State Department to ensure that a thorough and transparent investigation of the charges is undertaken.
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Contributions to International Peacekeeping
The Committee recommendation includes $1,035,500,000 for United States payments for Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for fiscal year 2006, which is the same as the amount requested in the budget and $127,955,000 below the fiscal year 2005 level, including supplemental amounts.
The Committee is aware of recent disturbing reports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as allegations of sex abuse of minors by U.N. peacekeepers and civilian personnel in other missions. Reform in the planning and conduct of peacekeeping missions is paramount. The atrocious misconduct of U.N. peacekeepers demands a clear and definitive response by the international community, especially the United States. The Committee strongly urges the Administration, including the State Department, to pursue the recommendations contained in the Prince Zeid report, including personal accountability, and improvements in the systems of justice in troop contributing countries as a means to restore confidence in peacekeeping missions. Further, the Committee directs the U.S. to work to ensure adequate training is provided to peacekeeping personnel prior to deployment.
Further, the Committee is convinced that clear, realistic benchmarks must be established and enforced for the performance of MONUC. The Committee expects the Department to re-evaluate the mandate for this mission and inform the Committee about options for future action.
The Committee remains concerned about the continuing lack of progress in resolving the dispute over the Western Sahara, despite an enormous investment of funds in the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) peacekeeping mission. The Committee urges the Department to work to encourage a negotiated settlement to the dispute and bring to an end the costly U.N. peacekeeping presence associated with a referendum settlement program that has failed to materialize over the past decade and that the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy abandoned as unworkable three years ago.
The establishment of several large, complex missions over the past few years has tested the capacity of the U.N. to plan and manage such operations successfully. The Brahimi report addressed many deficiencies in U.N. peacekeeping efforts, including problems in doctrine, strategy, decision-making, planning, deployment, support and information technology. The Committee continues to support efforts to improve the performance and efficiency of U.N. peacekeeping missions through structural and procedural reforms. The Committee also supports efforts to better limit and focus the goals of such missions, and to set specific benchmarks for performance and mission termination.
The Committee continues to support the efforts of the U.N.'s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to identify waste, fraud and abuse, including sexual abuse, in peacekeeping operations, and to recommend specific reforms to ensure that such practices are brought to an end. The Committee directs the Department to provide the necessary support to ensure that OIOS oversight is systematically brought to bear on every U.N. peacekeeping mission, including through the presence of resident auditors. The Committee directs the Department to request a performance report on the efforts of this Office to root out the causes of such waste, fraud and abuse.
The bill retains language carried in previous years requiring 15-day advance notice of any new or expanded mission, together with a statement of cost, duration, exit strategy, vital national interest, and source of funds to pay the cost. In addition, new language requires an additional notification that the United Nations has taken appropriate measures to prevent United Nations' employees, contractor personnel, and peacekeeping forces serving in any United Nations peacekeeping mission from trafficking in persons, exploiting victims of trafficking, or committing acts of illegal sexual exploitation and to hold accountable any such individuals who engage in any such acts while participating in the peacekeeping mission.
The bill also retains language requiring certification that American manufacturers and suppliers are provided equal procurement opportunities, and language prohibiting the use of funds under this account for the costs of court monitoring. The bill does include requested language to make a portion of appropriations under this account available for two fiscal years.
International Boundaries; US and Mexico and others
The Committee recommendation includes $1,035,500,000 for United States payments for Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities for fiscal year 2006, which is the same as the amount requested in the budget and $127,955,000 below the fiscal year 2005 level, including supplemental amounts.
The Committee is aware of recent disturbing reports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as allegations of sex abuse of minors by U.N. peacekeepers and civilian personnel in other missions. Reform in the planning and conduct of peacekeeping missions is paramount. The atrocious misconduct of U.N. peacekeepers demands a clear and definitive response by the international community, especially the United States. The Committee strongly urges the Administration, including the State Department, to pursue the recommendations contained in the Prince Zeid report, including personal accountability, and improvements in the systems of justice in troop contributing countries as a means to restore confidence in peacekeeping missions. Further, the Committee directs the U.S. to work to ensure adequate training is provided to peacekeeping personnel prior to deployment.
Further, the Committee is convinced that clear, realistic benchmarks must be established and enforced for the performance of MONUC. The Committee expects the Department to re-evaluate the mandate for this mission and inform the Committee about options for future action.
The Committee remains concerned about the continuing lack of progress in resolving the dispute over the Western Sahara, despite an enormous investment of funds in the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) peacekeeping mission. The Committee urges the Department to work to encourage a negotiated settlement to the dispute and bring to an end the costly U.N. peacekeeping presence associated with a referendum settlement program that has failed to materialize over the past decade and that the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy abandoned as unworkable three years ago.
The establishment of several large, complex missions over the past few years has tested the capacity of the U.N. to plan and manage such operations successfully. The Brahimi report addressed many deficiencies in U.N. peacekeeping efforts, including problems in doctrine, strategy, decision-making, planning, deployment, support and information technology. The Committee continues to support efforts to improve the performance and efficiency of U.N. peacekeeping missions through structural and procedural reforms. The Committee also supports efforts to better limit and focus the goals of such missions, and to set specific benchmarks for performance and mission termination.
The Committee continues to support the efforts of the U.N.'s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to identify waste, fraud and abuse, including sexual abuse, in peacekeeping operations, and to recommend specific reforms to ensure that such practices are brought to an end. The Committee directs the Department to provide the necessary support to ensure that OIOS oversight is systematically brought to bear on every U.N. peacekeeping mission, including through the presence of resident auditors. The Committee directs the Department to request a performance report on the efforts of this Office to root out the causes of such waste, fraud and abuse.
The bill retains language carried in previous years requiring 15-day advance notice of any new or expanded mission, together with a statement of cost, duration, exit strategy, vital national interest, and source of funds to pay the cost. In addition, new language requires an additional notification that the United Nations has taken appropriate measures to prevent United Nations' employees, contractor personnel, and peacekeeping forces serving in any United Nations peacekeeping mission from trafficking in persons, exploiting victims of trafficking, or committing acts of illegal sexual exploitation and to hold accountable any such individuals who engage in any such acts while participating in the peacekeeping mission.
The bill also retains language requiring certification that American manufacturers and suppliers are provided equal procurement opportunities, and language prohibiting the use of funds under this account for the costs of court monitoring. The bill does include requested language to make a portion of appropriations under this account available for two fiscal years.
Payments to Other Organizations
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,000,000 for payment to the Asia Foundation for fiscal year 2006, which is the same as the request, and $2,827,000 below the current year level. The Committee continues to support Foundation programs on human rights, higher education, democratic governance, ethnic harmony, religious tolerance and legal/judicial reform in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia. Further, the Committee supports the efforts of Foundation programs in Cambodia.
The Asia Foundation is a private, nonprofit institution, established to stimulate Asian democratic development and assist the peoples of Asian countries to shape their own destinies.
The Committee recommends an appropriation for fiscal year 2006 of interest and earnings from the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund, expected to total $500,000. The Committee recognizes the important and unique role of Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships in the U.S. Government's worldwide public diplomacy effort. The Committee has urged the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated (EEF) to fashion its exchange programs to reflect the priority within all public diplomacy programs of building mutual understanding with Arab and Muslim populations worldwide. In this regard, the Committee continues to expect that the selection of foreign and United States fellows will reflect this priority. In addition, the Committee supports a nation-wide, merit-based recruitment and selection process for United States Fellows. The Committee expects EEF and the Department to submit a report to the Committee by November 30, 2005, describing its achievements in these areas.
The Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990 authorized a permanent endowment for the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program to increase educational opportunities for young leaders in preparation for and enhancement of their professional careers and to advance peace through international understanding. The Act established the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund in the United States Treasury for these purposes. A total of $7,500,000 has been provided to establish a permanent endowment for the program, from which the appropriation of interest and earnings is provided to Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Incorporated.
The Committee recommends language in the accompanying bill that will appropriate for fiscal year 2006 interest and earnings of the Israeli Arab Scholarship Endowment Fund, expected to total $375,000. A permanent endowment of $4,978,500 for the Fund was established in fiscal year 1992 with funds made available to the United States Information Agency under section 556(b) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990, as amended. The income from the endowment is to be used for a program of scholarships for Israeli Arabs to attend institutions of higher education in the United States.
The Committee recommendation includes $6,000,000 for this account, $13,240,000 below the current year, and $7,024,000 below the request.
The Committee recommendation provides for phasing out the direct sole-source grant from the Federal government. The Committee notes that the Center can solicit contributions and can compete for other Federal grants to support its research and training activities. The Center started receiving a direct grant from the Federal government in fiscal year 1961.
The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for fiscal year 2006, $9,199,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2005 and $30,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee recommendation continues funding provided in fiscal year 2005 for enhanced Endowment grant programs to build and strengthen democratic institutions in the Muslim world. The Committee notes that the Endowment has failed to provide funding for the creation of a Fern L. Holland Democracy Institute in Africa, and for a grant to ensure coordination among the groups advocating for awareness and action on behalf of the victims of human rights abuses and the persecuted, as directed in the statement of managers accompanying the 2005 Act. The Committee remains deeply concerned that the Endowment has failed to adhere to direction provided by the Committee. The Committee expects these grants to be awarded expeditiously.
The Committee directs the Endowment to support the efforts of the International Center for Democratic Transition in Budapest, Hungary.
The Committee reaffirms the role that NED plays in strengthening democratic institutions around the world. Any perception that funds are used to directly support a particular party or candidate, or to support the removal of elected leaders through unconstitutional means, undermines the credibility and effectiveness of NED programs. The Committee remains concerned about such allegations in Venezuela. The Committee expects NED to take all necessary measures to ensure that all sponsored activities adhere to the core NED principles.
The NED is a private, non-profit corporation established to encourage and strengthen the development of democratic institutions and processes internationally through private-sector initiatives, training, and other activities, including those which promote pluralism, democratic governance, civic education, human rights, and respect for the rule of law. The NED provides funding for projects which are determined to be in the national interest of the United States and which are administered by private organizations and groups.
The Committee recommendation includes $630,893,000 for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, $21,050,000 below the request and $32,040,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level, including supplemental appropriations. The Committee does not support the proposed language service reductions or terminations proposed in the request. The Committee directs a reduction of $9,067,000 to be assessed against administrative activities. The appropriation accounts under this heading provide operational funding for the United States non-military, international broadcasting programs--including the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio and Television Marti, Middle East Television, including Radio Sawa--and the associated facilities, engineering and support activities.
The Committee recommendation includes $620,000,000 to carry out United States International Broadcasting Operations for fiscal year 2006, which is an increase of $32,093,000 above the fiscal year 2005 level, including supplemental amounts, and $21,050,000 below the comparable request. This account funds the operating and engineering costs of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The recommendation also includes funding for Broadcasting to Cuba under this account. In the request, this funding was proposed under a separate account. The Committee recommendation provides increases for all entities funded under this account, including funding to continue the Middle East Television Network initiative. The Committee places a priority on the global war on terror languages and broadcasting services into China. The recommendation includes full funding for the critical war on terrorism languages.
As directed in previous years, all communications with the Committee on the part of the various broadcasting entities shall be coordinated through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Arabic Broadcasting.--The United States continues to face an enormous challenge to provide the people of Arab and Muslim countries with accurate information about U.S. policies and values. The Committee continues to support efforts to expand the audience of listeners and viewers in the Arab and Muslim world. The Committee recommendation includes $78,578,000 for television and radio broadcasting in Arabic, including Middle East Television and Radio Sawa. This amount represents an increase of $9,758,000 above the fiscal year 2005 program plan, and $558,000 below the request. The Committee provided initial start-up costs for a television program stream specifically tailored for the Iraqi audience in Public Law 108-106 and provides the full request for this effort. The Committee directs the BBG to provide quarterly status reports detailing the progress of this effort. Developing quality news and entertainment programs in the Arabic language should to the maximum extent possible involve the creative talents of the private and not-for-profit sectors. The Committee continues its direction to the Board to integrate new approaches in developing programming, to more effectively engage key audiences.
Africa Broadcasting.--The Committee continues to support the creative efforts of VOA broadcasting to the continent of Africa. The Committee notes that forty-five percent of VOA's listenership is in Africa and expects VOA to create radio formats to ensure information is available to young audiences. Nearly 45 million listeners have access to VOA's objective, balanced and accurate news. VOA fills the information void with daily targeted and credible coverage of sub-Saharan Africa often not available from any other media. The Committee supports the use of radio broadcasts as a component of sustained HIV/AIDS prevention efforts undertaken by many African governments, African countries, humanitarian organizations, and U.S. assistance programs. VOA's Africa Division continues to incorporate thousands of broadcasts about HIV/AIDS into its regular programming for broadcasting to Africa.
Language Service Review and Research.--The Committee continues to support the Board's efforts to objectively and systematically review and evaluate the performance, results, and priority of every U.S. Government-sponsored international broadcasting language service and to propose corresponding reallocations of funds. The Committee endorses this process as a means to improve broadcast quality and meet emerging program priorities within limited resources. The Committee expects that the Board will establish comprehensive performance measures and improve coordination of programming streams across component organizations, including the grantee organizations. The Committee continues to direct the Board to ensure that foreign policy implications are given full consideration before adopting language service review recommendations. The Committee expects the Board to submit a comprehensive report on Language Service Review results and corresponding reallocations of funds, as appropriate. The Committee anticipates that the continuing language service review effort will result in the dedication of additional resources to emerging priority programs, through the normal reprogramming process.
Anti-jamming efforts.--The Committee continues to support initiatives by the BBG to defeat jamming and reach a wider audience for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America broadcasts to China, Tibet, Vietnam, and North Korea. The Committee is aware that new technologies may allow the VOA and RFA to more effectively defeat jamming efforts. The Committee encourages the Board to evaluate the usefulness of these technologies. The Committee expects the BBG to expand such efforts in fiscal year 2006.
The Committee remains concerned about a potential blurring of the distinction between the international broadcasting conducted by the Broadcasting Board of Governors and that conducted by the Defense Department. While the Committee continues to strongly support all necessary efforts to provide for national security, close collaboration with the Defense Department may foster misunderstanding among foreign audiences as to the principles and goals of BBG broadcasting. Within sixty days of enactment of this Act, the BBG shall report fully to the Committee on the nature and duration of any cooperative efforts with the Defense Department over the last year. In addition, the BBG shall notify Congress in writing of any projects or programs to be undertaken with the Defense Department within seven days of the beginning of such activities. Both reports should include a description of services provided and any financial arrangements between the entities.
The Committee recommendation includes funding for the principal broadcasting entities as follows:
Voice of America.--The Committee recommendation provides $168,259,000 for VOA, $346,000 above the request, and $10,853,000 above the 2005 program plan. The recommendation provides programmatic increases above the fiscal year 2005 program plan to expand and reformat Urdu broadcasting into Pakistan, Dari and Pashto into Afghanistan, and Persian into Iran. Further, the recommendation maintains funding of $8,096,000 for overseas correspondent bureaus. The Committee strongly supports increased broadcasting efforts to China, and to Iran.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.--The Committee recommendation provides $76,161,000 for RFE/RL, $1,194,000 above the request, and $1,560,000 above the fiscal year 2005 program plan. Within these amounts, $3,507,000 is for Radio Farda, $3,905,000 is for Radio Free Afghanistan, $1,858,000 is for Radio Free Iraq, and $938,000 is for broadcasting in Romanian to Moldova. Further, $9,615,000 is recommended for broadcasting services in Russian, and $2,260,000 is for broadcasting services in Ukrainian. A total of $4,069,000 is provided for the news and current affairs function. The Committee continues to support programming efforts in Persian, Tajik, Uzbek, Turkmen, Arabic, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Albanian, and Azeri. The Committee commends RFE/RL for developing programming in Avar, Chechen, and Circassian, and for expanding broadcasting to the Northern Caucasus. The Committee recognizes the continuing importance of broadcasting objective, uncensored information to the isolated minorities of the Northern Caucasus in their native languages and has provided the full request for these efforts.
Broadcasting to Cuba.--The Committee recommendation includes $27,931,000 for radio and television broadcasting to Cuba, which is $1,063,000 above the current year program plan, and $10,000,000 below the request. The Committee does not provide $10,000,000 to purchase, outfit, and operate an aircraft dedicated to transmitting Radio and TV Marti programming. The Committee recommendation assumes the continuation of periodic efforts of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard aircraft, operating within U.S. air space, to continue to broadcast Radio and TV Marti, and to report to the Committee, as in the current year.
Radio Free Asia (RFA).--The Committee recommendation includes $29,966,000 for RFA, $577,000 above the fiscal year 2005 program plan, and $362,000 below the request. The Committee recommendation does not include the proposed understands that the recommendation will not result in any language service reductions. The Committee strongly supports increased broadcasting efforts to China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam, North Korea, Laos, and Cambodia. The Committee does not provide the proposed increase of $334,000 for the executive director's office.
The recommendation includes funding for RFA to continue daily Uyghur broadcasts.
The Committee encourages the Board to increase the number of broadcast hours of both the VOA and the RFA Korean and Cantonese services. The Committee expects the BBG to reprogram funds, if necessary, to achieve these increases.
The Committee urges the Broadcasting Board of Governors to focus programming on the promotion of religious freedom and human rights. The BBG should work with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on the scope and content of programming that will instruct and inform on the merits of religious freedom as part of a civil society.
The Committee recommendation includes $10,893,000 in new budget authority for broadcasting capital improvements, and an additional $16,000,000 in prior-year funds for a total available amount of $26,893,000, $53,000 below the current year level, including supplemental appropriations, and the same amount as the request. The recommendation will provide for the continuation of base costs for maintenance, improvements, replacements and repairs, digital production capability development, and security upgrades at transmitting stations overseas.
RFE/RL headquarters.--The Committee recommendation includes $13,500,000 for the one-time costs of moving employees and equipment into a new facility in fiscal year 2008.
The Committee understands the Administration intends to transfer funds provided in Public Law 107-38 for the purpose of acquiring transmission capabilities in Egypt to offset requirements in the operations account. The Committee appreciates the efforts by the BBG to acquire this capability and continues to direct the BBG to expand the broadcasting audience of Egypt and the Middle East. The Board shall continue to keep the Committees informed on the status of its efforts to acquire additional transmission capabilities in the Middle East. The BBG shall report to the Committee on the progress of these efforts.
The Committee recommends the following general provisions for the Department of State, similar to provisions that were included in the fiscal year 2004 Appropriations Act:
Section 401 of the bill permits funds appropriated in this Act for the Department of State to be available for allowances and differentials as authorized by subchapter 59 of Title 5 of the United States Code; for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; and for hire of passenger transportation pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1343(b).
Section 402 of the bill permits up to five percent of any State Department appropriation to be transferred to another State Department appropriation, but no program can be increased by more than ten percent, and provides the same authority to Broadcasting Board of Governors programs. In addition, the language provides that any transfer pursuant to this subsection shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds under section 605 of the accompanying bill and shall not be available for obligation or expenditure except in compliance with the procedures set forth in that section.
Section 403 of the bill prohibits the use of funds by the Department of State or the Broadcasting Board of Governors to provide assistance to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation.
Section 404 of the bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Senior Policy Operating Group on Trafficking in Persons. The Committee understands that the Operating Group has been actively meeting and performing its designated functions since enactment of Section 406 of division B of Public Law 108-7. The Committee expects that all anti-trafficking policies, grants and grant policies shall be covered by the provisions of Section 406 of division B of Public Law 108-7. The recommendation also includes language clarifying that the Senior Policy Operating Group and its chairman are the coordinating body (and official) accountable for federal anti-trafficking policies, grants and grant policies. The language also makes clear that the coordinating responsibilities of the Operating Group are not intended to supercede the decision-making authority of the constituent members of the Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to whom Operating Group members continue to report. The Operating Group is, and was intended to serve as, the forum for interagency coordination of anti-trafficking policies, even as final decisions regarding any such policies are necessarily vested with the President and the senior officials who comprise the Task Force. The Committee understands that the Senior Operating Group and its chair have successfully performed the coordinating functions assigned to them.
Section 405 of the bill includes new language requiring that any funding used to implement E-Government Initiatives shall be subject to section 605 of this Act.
Section 406 of the bill includes new language concerning the Department's rewards program.
1. H.AMDT.248 An amendment to increase funding for State and local law
enforcement agencies, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grand
Program, the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) program and the Economic
Development Administration.
Sponsor: Rep Obey, David R. [D-WI-7TH] (introduced 6/14/2005)
Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 Mr. Wolf raised a point of order against
the Obey amendment (A001). Mr. Wolf raised a point of order against the
amendment stating that it made changes in existing law and constituted
legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
2. H.AMDT.249 Amendment sought to increase funding for State and Local
Law Enforcement Assistance and for Community Oriented Policing Services.
Sponsor: Rep Obey, David R. [D-WI-7TH] (introduced 6/14/2005)
Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Obey amendment (A002) Failed by recorded vote: 196 - 230 (RC
244).
3. H.AMDT.250 Amendment sought to increase funding for State and Local
Law Enforcement Assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Terry amendment (A003) Failed by recorded vote: 175 - 252 (RC
245).
4. H.AMDT.251 Amendment increases funding for Community Oriented
Policing Services.
Sponsor: Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [IA-3] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Boswell amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
8. H.AMDT.255 Amendment increases funding for administrative expenses
to carry out direct and guaranteed loan programs in the Small Business
Administration.
Sponsor: Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Velazquez amendment (A008) Agreed to by recorded vote: 234 - 189
(RC 246).
9. H.AMDT.256 Amendment sought to increase funding for Community
Oriented Policing Services.
Sponsor: Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Reichert amendment (A009) Failed by recorded vote: 130 - 297 (RC
247).
10. H.AMDT.257 Amendment increases funding for the DEA and for
Community Oriented Policing Programs.
Sponsor: Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Baird amendment (A010) Agreed to by recorded vote: 260 - 168 (RC
248).
11. H.AMDT.258 Amendment increases funding for Violence Against Women
Prevention and Prosecution Programs.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (A011) Agreed to by voice vote
12. H.AMDT.259 Amendment sought to increase funding for Justice
Assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Stearns amendment (A012) Failed by recorded vote: 112 - 316 (RC
249).
13. H.AMDT.260 Amendment increases funding for State and Local Law
Enforcement Assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Dreier, David [R-CA-26] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Dreier amendment (A013) Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 - 195 (RC
250).
14. H.AMDT.261 Amendment increases funding for State and Local Law
Enforcement Assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Garrett, Scott [R-NJ-5] (introduced 6/14/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/14/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Garrett (NJ) amendment (A014) Agreed to by voice vote.
15. H.AMDT.262 An amendment to increase funding for the Community
Oriented Policing Services account by $34,000,000 and to increase funding for
policing initiatives to combat methamphetamine production and trafficking by
$34,000,000.
Sponsor: Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Wolf amendment (A015) Agreed to by voice vote.
16. H.AMDT.263 An amendment to increase funds (by transfer) for the
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program in the amount of
$126,152,000.
Sponsor:
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Weiner amendment (A016) Failed by recorded vote: 31 - 396 (RC
251).
17. H.AMDT.264 An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the
United States and Foreign Commercial Service by $131,900,000.
Sponsor: Rep Mica, John L. [R-FL-7] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 By unanimous consent, the Mica amendment
was withdrawn.
18. H.AMDT.265 An amendment to increase funding (by transfer) for the
Operations, Research, and Facilities account for NOAA by $5 million.
Sponsor: Rep Inslee, Jay [D-WA-1] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Inslee amendment (A018) Failed by recorded vote: 177 - 248 (RC
252).
19. H.AMDT.266 An amendment numbered 33 printed in the Congressional
Record to reduce the United States contribution to the United Nations by 50% or
$218 million.
Sponsor: Rep Hayworth, J. D. [AZ-5] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hayworth amendment (A019) Failed by recorded vote: 124 - 304 (RC
253).
20. H.AMDT.267 An amendment to add a new section urging the President
and Secretary of State to continue to express concern to the Government of
Mexico over the abductions and murders of more than 370 young women since 1993
in the Mexican cities of Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua.
Sponsor: Rep Reyes, Silvestre [TX-16] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 Mr. Wolf raised a point of order against
the Reyes amendment (A020). Mr. Wolf stated that the amendment sought to change
existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair
sustained the point of order.
21. H.AMDT.268 An amendment to designate $5 million in funds for
operational assistance grants and $30 million for guarantees of debentures under
the Small Business Investment Act.
Sponsor: Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Moore (WI) amendment (A021) Failed by voice vote.
22. H.AMDT.269 An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill to
prosecute any individual for travel to Cuba.
Sponsor: Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 By unanimous consent, the McDermott
amendment was withdrawn.
23. H.AMDT.270 An amendment to prohibit use of funds in the bill to
implement, administer, or enforce regulations relating to amendments made to the
Code of Federal Regulations relating to license exemptions for gift parcels and
humanitarian donations for Cuba.
Sponsor: Rep Flake, Jeff [R-AZ-6] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Flake amendment (A023) Failed by recorded vote: 210 - 216 (RC
254).
24. H.AMDT.271 An amendment numbered 10 printed in the Congressional
Record to prohibit any of the funds in the Act from being used by the U.N. to
develop or publicize any proposal concerning taxation or fees on any United
States person to raise revenue for the U.N. or any of its specialized or
affiliated agencies.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [R-TX-14] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Paul amendment (A024) Agreed to by voice vote
25. H.AMDT.272 An amendment to prohibit any funds made available in
the Act to the Department of Justice from being used to prevent the States of
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, or
Washington from implementing State laws authorizing the use of medical marijuana
in those States.
Sponsor: Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hinchey amendment (A025) Failed by recorded vote: 161 - 264 (RC
255).
29. H.AMDT.276 to prohibit the use of funds for NASA to employ
any individual under the title "artist in residence.".
Sponsor: Rep Chocola, Chris [IN-2] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Chocola amendment (A029) Agreed to by voice vote.
30. H.AMDT.277 to prohibit funds from being used to close or
consolidate any office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or to make
any reductions in the number of full-time officers or employees in any such
office, or to reduce the number of full-time officers or employees serving as
supervisors, management officials, mediators, examiners, investigators, or
attorney in such office, as part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring,
or reorganizing of the Commission that is authorized under law.
Sponsor: Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs [D-OH-11] (introduced 6/15/2005)
Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Jones (OH) amendment (A030) Failed by recorded vote: 201 - 222 (RC
256).
31. H.AMDT.278 to prohibit funds in the Act from being used to enforce
the judgement of the United States District Court for the Southern District of
Indiana in the case of Russelburg v. Gibson County, decided January 31, 2005.
Sponsor: Rep Hostettler, John N. [D-IN-8] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Hostettler amendment (A031) Agreed to by recorded vote: 242 -
182 (RC 257).
33. H.AMDT.280 to prohibit funds in the bill from being used to
implement provisions of Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act which permits
searches of library circulation records, library patron lists, book sales
records, or book customer lists under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
(FISA).
Sponsor: Rep Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Sanders amendment (A033) Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 - 187 (RC
258).
34. H.AMDT.281 to increase funds for expenses necessary for enforcing
subsections (a) and (b) of section 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and
Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 by $1,000,000. Amendment seeks to reduce
the funds available for Department of Justice - Legal Activities - Salaries and
Expenses, General Legal Activities by $1,000,000.
Sponsor: Rep King, Steve [R-IA-5] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the King (IA) amendment (A034) Agreed to by voice vote
35. H.AMDT.282 to prohibit the use of funds from being made available
to issue a national security letter, for health insurance records, under any of
the provisions of law amended by section 505 of the Uniting and Strengthening
America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001.
Sponsor: Rep Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment not agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Nadler amendment (A035) Failed by voice vote.
37. H.AMDT.284 to prohibit the use of funds from being available to
deny the production of safety reports regarding the NASA Space Shuttle program
and the International Space Station.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (introduced 6/15/2005) Cosponsors
(None)
Latest Major Action: 6/15/2005 House amendment agreed to. Status: On
agreeing to the Jackson-Lee (TX) amendment (A037) Agreed to by voice vote.
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