Washington, DC - Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on H.R. 2410, the “Foreign Relations Authorization Act.” This bill will help repair damaged U.S. relations with other nations by reinvigorating diplomacy and development efforts abroad. The Foreign Relations Authorization Act passed by the House earlier today will supply President Obama with the tools and resources he needs to carry out a new foreign policy. The House passed the bill, 235-187.

“Madam Speaker: I an pleased to offer my support of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act.  This legislation includes provisions to strengthen our diplomatic, development, and humanitarian efforts abroad at a crucial time for our nation.  After eight years where bullets and bombs bested diplomacy and development, I am pleased President Obama has called for a more balanced foreign policy and the Foreign Affairs Committee has authored legislation to implement that approach.  Specifically, the legislation authorizes $18 billion for, among other things, the addition of 1,500 new Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) at the State Department and 700 new FSOs at the U.S. Agency for International Development, a substantial increase of the Peace Corps budget, and the creation of 25 arms control and nonproliferation positions at the State Department.

“I am especially grateful to Chairman Berman for including in this Act Section 235 for Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).  The Iraqi refugee crisis is an issue of great importance to me and my constituents, many of whom are themselves refugees or relatives of the nearly five million Iraqis displaced by the War in Iraq.  At the beginning of this Congress, I reintroduced legislation with my friend and colleague from Florida, Representative Alcee Hastings because we believe strongly that the U.S. has a moral responsibility to assist Iraqi refugees and IDPs, and it is in our national security interest to do so.

“Section 235 contains many provisions I have advocated for, including requirements for:

•      the United States to contribute at least fifty percent of the amount requested in the United Nations humanitarian appeals for the Iraqi refugee crisis;
•      a substantial increase in resources for processing refugees’ visas;
•      the Secretary of State to work with the international community to develop a comprehensive strategy for providing assistance and solutions for the crisis, and;
•      for the Administration to report to Congress on the progress of implementing this section. 

“The previous Administration largely ignored the existence of an Iraqi refugee crisis.  I hope the Obama Administration’s understanding of it will be a harbinger of its willingness to take immediate positive action once the proper tools and resources are in place.  Like many other aspects of this bill, implementing Section 235 is in the best interest of U.S. national security.  Once again, I want to thank Committee for its inclusion and I urge my colleagues to support this important bill."