December 17, 2016

Castro Statement on Enactment of FY2017 State Department Reauthorization

San Antonio, TX – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after President Barack Obama signed into law the Department of State Authorities Act for Fiscal Year 2017:
 
“This marks the first time in 14 years State Department reauthorization legislation has become law. The legislation the Congress passed and President Obama signed strengthens our nation’s diplomatic efforts, and I am proud of the work the House Foreign Affairs Committee contributed to the bill’s success.
 
“I’m glad that the law includes the Foreign Affairs Inclusion Reporting (FAIR) Act, legislation I introduced with Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) to increase the diversity of Department of State and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) personnel. Additional steps will now be taken to ensure folks of all backgrounds have the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s diplomatic endeavors around the world. 
 
“I thank President Obama for signing into law this significant legislation that will modernize the State Department, improve security protections for our embassies and diplomats overseas, and increase the diversity and creativity of our estimable diplomatic corps.”

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