WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“Though alarm bells have been ringing for weeks over the Administration’s self-made crisis at the State Department, Donald Trump and Rex Tillerson continue to play a dangerous game with our national security.  Their next steps?  Offering $25,000 for buyouts to further hollow out the ranks of our talented diplomatic corps at a time when their contribution to our national security is needed the most. 

“I reject this unprecedented and unjustified move, and urge the Administration to immediately stop the buyouts and other arbitrary cuts.  Congress has spoken loud and clear in rejecting the President’s 31 percent cut to the State Department budget, and it’s time the Administration acknowledges congressional intent.  With the wide range of crises, wars, and humanitarian disasters around the world, aimlessly slashing the ranks of the State Department is not only foolish, it is dangerous.”

# # #