Vice Ranking Member Amo on Bad Republican State Department Plan to Cede American Global Leadership, Entrench Trump Corruption
Washington, DC – TODAY, House Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Ranking Member Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) issued the following statement on the House Foreign Affairs Committee passage of the State Department Reauthorization bills:
“This markup was the latest step in President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Congressional Republicans' devious plan to cede American leadership on the world stage. By codifying Trump's illegal cuts to the Department of State, Republicans' package of bills harms Americans and empowers our adversaries. Their proposals cut food aid for starving children, threatening Rhode Island jobs; make it harder for American workers and businesses to enter emerging markets; and abandon our tradition of protecting labor and human rights. I voted no on the harmful proposals and will fight to restore American global leadership.”
Background
Vice Ranking Member Amo introduced seven amendments as part of the State Reauthorization legislative package to protect against Trump’s reckless attacks on American diplomacy.
Three amendments passed with bipartisan support. Republicans voted down four.
Amo’s first amendment would have supported the prevention and treatment of global malnutrition. It would support ready-to-use-therapeutic food made in Rhode Island from Georgia peanuts, Wisconsin milk, Iowa soybeans, and other commodities from 15 states. Republicans voted to let kids starve.
Amo’s second amendment would have stopped DOGE, President Trump and Secretary Rubio from wasting already purchased foreign aid, and taxpayer dollars. The amendment would have established guidance on handling unused supplies to ensure aid is not diverted, destroyed, or allowed to expire. Republicans voted to set taxpayer dollars on fire.
Amo’s third amendment would have opposed President Trump’s discriminatory refugee program exclusively for White South Africans after he locked out refugees facing credible threats of prosecution. Republicans voted no.
Amo’s fourth amendment would have supported the Department of State’s essential Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Championing their vital, longstanding work promoting democratic values, human rights, and fair labor practices around the world. Republicans voted against workers.
Amo’s fifth amendment, the bipartisan AUKUS Improvement Act, would exempt defense entities already vetted by the State Department as Australian United Kingdom United States Security Pact Authorized Users from additional scrutiny. It passed as part of the reauthorization legislation.
Amo’s sixth amendment would authorize a report to better understand the State Department’s capacity at Mission Australia, a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific. It was also included in the legislation passed out of committee.
Amo’s seventh amendment, supporting a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, was also passed as part of the reauthorization legislation.
Amo also introduced an amendment on behalf of Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) that would affirm the United States’ partnership with the Republic of Cyprus to help increase stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. This amendment passed as part of the reauthorization legislation.
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