The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2015

16 JANUARY FEBRUARY 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL U.S. Diplomacy Center Previews “Faces of Diplomacy” Exhibit I n the nation’s capital we are spoiled for choice when it comes to museums. From art history to science to culture, we have exhibits of every make and model. So it’s apt that in a city lled with muse- ums we will soon have one dedicated to the men and women who devote their A Snapshot of the 114th Congress T he 114th Congress, in which Republicans control both houses, will be sworn in Jan. 6. e new U.S. Senate is comprised of 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats and two Independents, who caucus with the Democrats. e new composition of the House of Representatives is 246 Republicans, 188 Democrats and one to be determined. In relation to the work of the foreign a airs agencies, here are some of the most relevant U.S. Senate and House leaders and likely committee chairs: U.S. Senate: • Majority Leader: Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) • Foreign Relations: Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) • Homeland Security & Governmen- tal A airs Committee: Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) • Appropriations: Senator ad Cochran (R-Miss.) • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) • Commerce, Science and Transpor- tation / Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Innovation: Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) U.S. House of Representatives: • Speaker: Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) • Foreign A airs: Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) • Oversight and Government Reform : Rep. Jason Cha etz (R-Utah) • Select Committee on Benghazi: Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) • Homeland Security: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) • Appropriations: Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) • Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development: Rep. Robert Ader- holt (R-Ala.) • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science: Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) e biggest challenges for the Foreign Service during the 114th Congress will be: 1. e FY 2016 Budget: Words like “continuing resolutions” and “cuts” will continue to take center stage. e inter- national a airs budget, in particular, may face additional scrutiny. 2 . Compensation and Bene ts Package: e squeeze on federal employees will be renewed. Legislative proposals focusing on everything from comp time to chained CPI will gain momentum starting in January. 3. 2016 Presidential Election: Given former Secretary of State Hill- ary Rodham Clinton’s standing as the virtual Democratic frontrunner, and the prospect of Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) running for the GOP nomination, foreign a airs will most likely play a bigger role than it has in recent elections. AFSAmembers, please let the advo- cacy teamknowwhat issues you care most about and how to better serve you by sending an email to advocacy@afsa.org. —Janice Weiner, AFSA Policy Adviser lives to U.S. diplomacy. e United State Diplomacy Center, currently under construction at the 21st Street entrance of the Department of State, and due to open in 2016 (see FSJ October), is the rst museum committed to shining a much-needed spotlight on the hows and whys of diplomacy. Until the museum is completed, the U.S. Diplomacy Center is maintaining exhibition space within the Harry S Tru- man building, where it recently gave a sneak preview of the kinds of exhibits to come. “ e Faces of Diplomacy,” held in November (and which will be included in the center when it opens), pro led a few of America’s diplomats and others involved in diplomacy in a series of nearly life-sized photos accompanied by personal anec- dotes.