WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the postponement of today’s full Committee markup:

“I share the Chairman’s disappointment that the Committee’s work on crucial State Department legislation has been delayed. The bill we were set to consider was a good measure. It supports our diplomats, provides robust funding for our international affairs, and pushes back on the Trump Administration’s efforts to hollow out the State Department. It would have advanced with strong bipartisan support.

“But a bill like this takes months of collaboration and planning, and while I welcome lively debate in the Committee, this bill will not survive a last-minute attempt to push an agenda that would hurt women and girls around the world. I think this bill could still be viable if we avoid such poison pills going forward. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Royce to push this authorization forward in our Committee.”

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