Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) issued the following statement after a committee briefing on the administration’s proposed FY2018 International Affairs Budget:

“I’m glad we’ve closed the book on Obama budgets that were chock-full of more taxes and more spending, but I don’t support deep cuts to the State Department and Agency for International Development that undermine national security.  Diplomacy matters.  It helps keep America strong, and our troops out of combat.

“Given the growing threats we face, we should be supporting – not slashing – anti-terrorism, law enforcement, and humanitarian programs.  My priority has always been efficient, effective, and transparent programming.  And there’s no question improvements can be made.  So I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, and the administration, to ensure adequate funding for vital programs that advance U.S. interests and keep our country safe.”

###