WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after Congress passed the fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending bill: 

“The FY 2023 SFOPS Act increases current spending by 6.5% to make critical investments that will advance American security and prosperity in an increasingly complex world. While I am disappointed by the opposition we faced on crucial issues such as international climate finance, I am very proud of the resources my colleagues and I have secured this year.

“This bill will ensure that the United States can promote democratic values, strengthen our alliances and partnerships, and advance our global development objectives. It will make Americans more secure by reinforcing the rules-based international system we helped build against threats from coercive practices, disinformation, or military aggression.

“The SFOPS Act also funds $14.5 billion in much-needed military and humanitarian aid through the Department of State and USAID to the Ukrainian government as it continues its war effort. It will also help efforts to prosecute Russian war crimes, including providing support for victims and witnesses of such crimes. With bipartisan support, I am proud to have authorized our government to support the International Criminal Court’s efforts to prosecute those responsible for the unspeakable horrors that have been committed against the Ukrainian people.

“I am proud of the bipartisan work we have done to ensure the SFOPS Act’s passage, and I look forward to working with the Biden administration on its implementation.”

 

Highlights of the FY 2023 SFOPS bill include:

Reinvesting in multilateral engagement — The FY 2023 SFOPS Act protects U.S. and allies’ interests by ensuring our government has a seat at the table in standard-setting organizations, including providing new authority to enable the United States to rejoin UNESCO. It will also help American candidates be more competitive for leadership positions in international organizations and increase opportunities for Americans in entry-level jobs in the U.N. system. 

Building open and democratic societies and promoting international development — The FY 2023 SFOPS Act provides $300 million above current spending to promote democratic values and support accountable, transparent governance abroad, including efforts to support civil society and democracy activists under threat by repressive governments, and to build open societies that are more resilient and prosperous and contribute to global stability. It also fully funds the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps, and other independent agencies on the front lines of advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.

Enhancing U.S. strategic engagement around the world — The FY 2023 SFOPS Act contributes to U.S. national security by supporting key allies, promoting regional cooperation, protecting vital trade and shipping routes, and providing economic and development assistance, including to counter the malign influence of competitors like Russia and China. This includes funding to enhance U.S. diplomatic engagement in the Arctic and increase our investments in the Indo-Pacific region, including increasing and expanding U.S. assistance cooperation with Taiwan and strengthening our presence in the Pacific Island countries. It also supports President Biden’s commitments at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit by expanding the Power Africa and Prosper Africa initiatives, addressing food insecurity, and providing the tools and technologies to better help our partners on the continent address the causes of instability such as climate change.  

Providing humanitarian assistance and investing in global health — The FY 2023 SFOPS Act provides smart and strategic investments that help stabilize countries in crisis by saving lives and addressing public health. It includes $8.4 billion in humanitarian assistance and $10.6 billion in global health assistance, including fully funding President Biden’s pledge of $2 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and providing increased funding for USAID’s global health security programs.

Expanding the diplomatic engagement and development toolkit — The FY 2023 SFOPS Act supports a more agile diplomatic and development workforce, strengthens training, makes new investments in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, advances efforts to increase local partner ownership to improve the sustainability of U.S. assistance, and enhances our efforts to leverage the private sector and other forms of assistance.  

 

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