Washington, DC— Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after President Biden released his fiscal year 2022 funding request for the Department of State and other international programs:

“After years of attempts to slash the foreign affairs budget by the previous administration, it is a relief to see the Biden Administration’s budget request– one that reflects America’s values and priorities overseas as we face the challenge of reengaging the world. While the portion of our federal budget pertaining to foreign affairs may be small, its impact is considerable.

“This request focuses on meeting critical national security and foreign assistance priorities by addressing climate change, tackling the fragility in the Northern Triangle, supporting refugee admissions, supporting our diplomats and development professionals, and ensuring that our workforce reflects the America it represents overseas.

“On the heels of more than a year of living with COVID-19 and seeing growing humanitarian needs, the president’s budget highlights global security by proposing urgently needed investments in preventing and responding to future global health threats, while re-establishing our credibility as a multilateral partner, and putting the United States on the path to fulfilling its obligations to its UN peacekeeping partners.

“Congress has the power of the purse and we have an obligation to use that power responsibly. We will consider this request carefully, but I see this proposal as the start of a conversation, on both the budget request and the priorities it reflects. I look forward to discussing this request in greater detail with Secretary Blinken and the White House in the weeks to come.” 

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