WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, applauded the inclusion of several of his priorities in the subcommittee’s fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill.

“My priority on this subcommittee has always been writing a budget that protects national security, promotes democracy and human rights, and supports our allies and partners. As Tunisia continues down a path toward autocracy, I’m glad this bill invests in civil society organizations and sends a strong message of support to the Tunisian people and their efforts to turn back towards democracy. It also includes funding to combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States, grow our global economic influence, and provide billions in humanitarian aid. We have to get smarter about using every foreign policy tool at our disposal, and this budget plays an important role in strengthening our leadership on the world’s stage.”

Murphy’s priorities in the Committee-passed Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill include:

  • $1 billion for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
  • $15 million for civil society in Tunisia
  • Report requirement on democracy and governance in Tunisia, the inappropriate use of military courts, and the military’s status as an apolitical institution
  • $325 million of Egypt’s $1.3 billion military aid package conditioned on human rights
  • Funding to implement a normalization agreement between Kosovo and Serbia and a briefing requirement on options for using funding to incentive progress
  • $105 million in International Narcotics Control And Law Enforcement funding to combat the flow of fentanyl
  • $150 million in military aid for Lebanon and $5 million for providing electricity to hospitals in Lebanon
  • $225 million for economic assistance for the West Bank and Gaza
  • $42 million for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement funding for the West Bank and Gaza
  • $10.9 billion to invest in global health and the prevention of future pandemics
  • $100 million for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
  • $2.9 billion to support democracy promotion programs
  • $9 billion for humanitarian assistance
  • $75 million for United Nations Relief and Works Agency
  • $60 million for the Complex Crises Fund at USAID

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