Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after voting against the Republican-led State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations funding bill for Fiscal Year 2024. The bill passed out of committee with only Republican support.

“This bill diminishes our leadership in the world, making us less safe and less prosperous. It slashes funding to cooperative international programs, reneging on our promises to partners and allies around the world, and backtracks on investments that stabilize communities,” said Rep. Frankel. “The bill also restricts access to reproductive care and includes far-right, culture war talking points that harm American credibility as an international partner in advancing health care and human rights.

“These Republican cuts hurt the most vulnerable people around the world, slashing funding for women’s health care and family planning, prohibiting access to abortion, and undermining America’s role as a leader for human rights in order to score political points with the extreme right-wing Republican voter base.”

The Appropriations Committee oversees government spending, which reflects the priorities and values of America. This year’s SFOPS bill was slashed by 31 percent, or $18.3 billion, from previous years, resulting in:

• Drastic withdrawals and cuts from international organizations:

• $114 million cut from bilateral International Family Planning.

• $1.4 billion cut from Development Assistance programs.

• A near elimination of funding from all global climate and environmental initiatives:

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