Senate Committee Approves FY24 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, providing critical security assistance to allies, promotes democracy abroad, and continues lifesaving humanitarian and global health assistance. 

The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 27-2, provides $61.608 billion in discretionary funding.

“This bill recognizes America’s leadership in the world and the critical role that the programs funded by this subcommittee play in our national security,” said Senator Collins.  “For the first time, this legislation directs $125 million to help stop the flow of fentanyl, its precursors, and other synthetic drugs into the United States.  Earlier this year, I raised with Secretary of State Antony Blinken my concern that we need to do more to halt the flow of these illegal narcotics and their precursors into our country, and I appreciate what Ranking Member Graham has done in this regard.”

“I’m very pleased to have worked with Subcommittee Chairman Coons to produce a bipartisan product that ensures that our State Department is adequately funded and protected from threats throughout the world.  America’s soft power is maintained in this bill because without soft power, you have war.  Among this bill’s provisions, it provides strong military assistance for Israel and recognizes that a world food crisis is a growing threat to security, while taking significant steps to address it.  Further, this bill allows America to have the influence she needs in a troubled world,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.  “I also appreciate Vice Chairman Collins’ leadership in guiding the Appropriations Committee through several important markups.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to secure additional funding to help Ukraine win the war against Russia, and address other threats to our national security.”

Bill Highlights:

Department of State and USAID Operations: $13 billion for State operations and $2 billion for USAID operations, including $5.9 billion to strengthen embassy security and ensure the safety of U.S. diplomats and development specialists around the world.

International Security Assistance: $8.8 billion for foreign military training and education programs, peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism and nonproliferation programs, and financing for military equipment for U.S. partners and allies. 

Supporting Key Allies: $3.3 billion in military assistance for Israel; $1.65 billion in economic and military assistance for Jordan; and $113 million in military assistance for Taiwan.

Global Health Programs: $10.3 billion to bolster global health and prevent future pandemics, including $4.2 billion for USAID and $6 billion for State.

Countering Russian Influence Fund: $300 million to counter Russian influence and its attempts to sow distrust in democratic institutions worldwide.

Countering PRC Influence Fund: $400 million—an increase of $75 million above the FY23 enacted level—to combat malign Chinese influence and promote transparency and accountability in projects associated with the People’s Republic of China’s debt-trap diplomacy.  This includes $1.9 billion for implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy

Democracy Programs: $2.9 billion for democracy programs and $315 million for the National Endowment for Democracy.

Humanitarian Assistance: $9.1 billion to maintain the long-held U.S. commitment to protection and addressing the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Countering the Flow of Fentanyl and Synthetic Drugs: The bill includes a new general provision countering the flow of fentanyl and synthetic opioids into the U.S., including $125 million in funding for programs.  Additionally, the provision establishes a Counter Fentanyl Coordinator at the State Department.

Multilateral Assistance: The bill recommends a total of $3.04 billion for multilateral assistance to meet U.S. commitments to international financial institutions.

Food Security:  $1.1 billion for food security and agricultural development programs—an increase of $100 million above the FY23 enacted level.

Reforms, Savings, and Reducing Government Waste: Includes numerous oversight provisions to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds and accountability of the administration. 

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