Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 4426 - Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, FY 1995

(Sponsor: Obey (D), Wisconsin)

This Statement of Administration Policy expresses the Administration's views on H.R. 4426, the Foreign operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, FY 1995, as reported by the House Appropriations Committee.

The Administration commends the House Committee for its continued support for important foreign policy priorities, including full funding for the Middle East peace process as well as for assistance to Russia and the other New Independent States (NIS). The Administration also commends the Committee's efforts to provide as much funding as feasible for the multilateral development banks, given the bill's tight overall funding constraints.

The Administration strongly opposes amendments expected to be offered that reduce funding below the levels reported by the Committee for programs like Russia and the other NIS as well as other important foreign policy priority activities. These amendments, which contain sizeable funding reductions to assistance to Russia and the other NIS, South Africa, and the Global Environment Facility, as well as an across the board cut to increase population funding above the President's request, are unwarranted and would be detrimental to the conduct of foreign policy.

The Administration is pleased that the Committee has not included earmarks and other serious limitations in the bill. Under the tight budget constraints, the President must retain flexibility in order to manage programs effectively and to respond to foreign policy issues that may arise.