Legislative and policy-related news from D.C., Olympia, and our members
Welcome to the Global Washington Policy Update. Each month we post updates about our policy work, national global development policy news, our blog and legislative index.
Contents
Featured Policy News
President Obama: Foreign aid “pays off in a lot of ways.”
President Obama defended The United States foreign aid budget during a recent Google+ “Hangout” session, in which our nation’s leader answered various questions from Americans. When asked why the U.S. should spend money helping abroad when so many Americans are struggling, the president’s response was reminiscent of the old adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. “We only spend about 1 percent of our budget on foreign aid. But it pays off in a lot of ways,” Obama emphasized. “It’s a very small portion.” He explained that most of this aid is going to countries that are supporting U.S. national security interests. He cited global stability and the high cost of sending in troops to a conflict situation as reasons to invest now to prevent higher costs later. “We may be saving a larger amount in terms of what we would have to deal with if they weren’t cooperating with us.” He acknowledged the frustration that unemployed Americans must be feeling, but reminded listeners that a more stable world also increases economic opportunity, ultimately impacting the job situation here at home.
Many Global Washington members have expressed support for foreign assistance as an important part of the U.S. budget. These members work in the countries receiving aid and have seen firsthand the difference that development programs can make in the lives of the world’s vulnerable populations. They are investing time and resources in this important work and encourage our country to do the same. On behalf of our members, we applaud President Obama for his support for these programs and continue to encourage Congress to oppose cuts to foreign assistance.
To hear all of the president’s remarks on this subject, visit: http://www.usglc.org/2012/01/31/president-obamas-strong-support-for-the-international-affairs-budget/
“Aside from it being the right thing to do as a very wealthy country…this is part of our overall security strategy.”
President Obama on foreign aid
Washington PTA opposes 18 credit diploma for high school
The Washington State PTA is opposing a current bill under consideration by the state legislature to abandon the 24-credit diploma and fund only 18 credits in high school. The PTA opposes HB 2411, stating that the resulting curricula does not adequately allow students to explore their interests and passions through electives, and does not adequately prepare them for college or a career. “Having a schedule that allows students to include arts, music and physical education is important to our association,” wrote PTA Government Relations Coordinator, Ramona Hattendorf, “as [it] is a schedule that allows a student to take both college prep courses and career and technical education courses.”
- For more information about the PTA’s stance, visit:http://lmsptsa.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/going-backwards-and-pushing-funding-responsibilities-onto-local-districts/
- Take action here: http://www.capwiz.com/wastatepta/issues/alert/?alertid=60797336&type=ML
- Read the text of the bill: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2411&year=2012
New Legislation & Major Action
HUMAN RIGHTS
H.RES.521: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should work with the Government of Haiti to address gender-based violence against women and children.
Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Frederica [FL-17]
Introduced January 23, 2012 and referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY]
Introduced January 23, 2012 referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
S.2034 :Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY]
Introduced Janaury 24, 2012 and referred to Senate committee. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
IMMIGRATION
H.R.3881: Ensuring Mental Competence in Immigration Proceedings Act
Sponsor: Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13]
Introduced February 2, 2012and referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
TRADE
H.R.3782 :Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act
Introduced January 18, 2012 and referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet.
Sponsor: Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49]
H.R.3875 :Outsourcing Accountability Act of 2012
Sponsor: Rep Peters, Gary C. [MI-9]
Introduced February 2, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
S.2058 :A bill to close loopholes, increase transparency, and improve the effectiveness of sanctions on Iranian trade in petroleum products.
Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK]
WA Co-sponsor: Sen Cantwell, Maria
Introduced February 2, 2012 and referred to Senate committee. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
H.R.3771 :Haiti Empowerment, Assistance, and Rebuilding Act of 2012
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14]
IntroducedJanuary 13, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
H.R.3783: Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012
Sponsor: Rep Duncan, Jeff [SC-3]
Introduced January 18, 2012 andReferred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
H.R.3830 :To restrict the provision of defense articles and defense services to the Government of Iraq, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46]
Introduced January 25, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
H.R.3843 :To amend the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to the National Iranian Oil Company and the National Iranian Tanker Company.
Sponsor: Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28]
Introduced January 31, 2012 andreferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3880 :To require the imposition of sanctions on foreign financial institutions that are members of an entity that provides services relating to secure communications, electronic funds transfers, or cable transfers to the Central Bank of Iran or sanctioned financial institutions.
Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18]
Introduced February 2, 2012 andreferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.CON.RES.97 :Expressing the sense of Congress in honor of the life and legacy of Vaclav Havel.
Sponsor: Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18]
Introduced January 27, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
S.CON.RES.34 :A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress in honor of the life and legacy of Vaclav Havel.
Sponsor: Sen Rubio, Marco [FL]
Introduced January 30, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
H.RES.524 :Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Palestine Liberation Organization should not be allowed to maintain an official office in Washington, D.C.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4]
Introduced January 24, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
H.RES.526 :Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect toward the establishment of a democratic and prosperous Republic of Georgia and the establishment of a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict with Georgia’s internationally recognized borders.
Sponsor: Rep Shuster, Bill [PA-9]
Introduced January 24, 2012 and referred to the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia.
H.RES.527 :Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding Tunisia’s peaceful Jasmine Revolution.
Sponsor: Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5]
Introduced January 25, 2012 and referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia.
S.RES.356 :A resolution expressing support for the people of Tibet.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA]
Introduced January 30, 2012 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
GENERAL
H.R.3785 : To repeal section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14]
Introduced January 18, 2012 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3795 :Muhammad Ali Legacy Act
Sponsor: Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3]
WA Co-sponsor: Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7]
Introduced January 18, 2012 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
S.2063 :A bill to prohibit the transfer of technology developed using funding provided by the United States Government to entities of certain countries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA]
Introduced February 2, 2012 and referred to Senate committee. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL PASSED / SIGNED INTO LAW
S.RES.366 :A resolution honoring the life of dissident and democracy activist Wilman Villar Mendoza and condemning the Castro regime for the death of Wilman Villar Mendoza.
Sponsor: Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ]
2/1/2012. Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
S.RES.368 : A resolution recognizing the anniversary of the tragic earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, honoring those who lost their lives in that earthquake, and expressing continued solidarity with the people of Haiti.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL]
2/6/2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
