The Foreign Service Journal, April 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2019 19 Beware of Unintended Consequences As former Department of Defense Secre- tary [James] Mattis said, ‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.’ With a growing crisis in Venezuela, an unpredictable North Korea, an aggressive China and Russia creating mischief around the globe, terrorism on the rise in Africa, and Iran continually threatening Israel, we must show our strength through a properly resourced and forward leaning diplomacy. … The president’s budget proposal contains some much- needed reforms and I welcome cutting waste, fraud and abuse from any programs that are not getting the American people the results they deserve. But we must be careful that cuts don’t have unintended consequences that cost us more in the medium and long term. This is especially true of impactful cuts to humanitarian and developmental assistance. —Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, from his statement on the administration’s proposed FY2020 International Affairs Budget, March 11. Understanding the Value of Diplomacy We need to make it clear to these dedicated public servants—and to the rest of the world—that the United States understands the value of diplomacy. And we need to give our personnel the support and resources they need to carry out this important work. —Chairman Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), in his opening statement at the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, “The Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: AMid-TermAssessment,” Feb. 27. U.S. Leadership Essential When the United States scales back or cuts our State Department and foreign assistance budgets, or pushes out career, experienced diplomats, we fatally undermine our ability to renew and revive our leadership at just the time when our leadership is more essen- tial than ever before. —Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), in his opening statement at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, “Assessing the Role of the United States in the World,” Feb. 27. Diplomatic Engagement Critical With countries like China and Russia working to under- mine democratic values and respect for human rights, American leadership is more important than ever. The U.S.- led international order has helped populations across the globe enjoy safer, more stable, and more prosperous lives, and I believe American diplomatic engagement is critical to leaving a better world for the next generation. —Rep. AnnWagner (R-Mo.), during her testimony at the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs members’ day hearing, March 6. Diplomacy’s Unbeatable ROI With just about 1 percent of the federal budget, the United States gets no better return on its investment than the work of our diplomat and development professionals, which saves millions of lives, builds stronger economics, and creates a safer world. —Heather Higginbottom, in her opening statement at the House Foreign Affairs Committee Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing, “America’s Global Leadership: Why Diplomacy and Development Matter,” Feb. 27. Heard on the Hill JOSH companies are small- and medium-sized companies. Crocker explained the benefit to U.S. taxpayers: “When we look at our appro- priations—this is the money Congress gives us to operate, right?—these are taxpayers paying for our jobs, domesti- cally and overseas. We know that we drive about $200 of economic benefit, mostly in exports, as a result of every $1 in appro- priations. “It’s a great outcome. It represents over $63 billion in export benefits for these companies. It also represents about 328,000 jobs.” Crocker provides statistics and case studies that help to explain why the work FCS does has such a positive effect on the U.S. economy. Listen in at www.amdip- stories.org/podcast/more-fun-facts- about-trade. n This edition of Talking Points was com- piled by Donna Gorman, Ásgeir Sigfússon, Susan Maitra and Shawn Dorman.