December 23, 2022

Chairman Castro Secures Funding for Key Foreign Affairs Programs in 2023 Omnibus Appropriations

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, announced that the 2023 federal omnibus appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 23, 2022 includes significant investments he secured to advance American interests and promote sustainable development around the world.

“For the past two years, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact has worked to strengthen America’s contributions to a healthier, safer, and more equitable world. As our work concludes for the 117th Congress, I’m very proud that the 2023 omnibus includes funding for many of the critical programs our Subcommittee has championed. I thank my Subcommittee colleagues for their dedicated service and I look forward to seeing how our legislative efforts will continue to improve lives around the world,” said Chairman Castro.

Provisions secured by Chairman Castro in the 2023 omnibus include:

Centroamérica Local:

  • $100 million for USAID to fund locally led development programs in Central America that seek to address causes of irregular migration by strengthening regional governance, promoting economic growth, and improving the rule of law. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that allows USAID to use these funds in a flexible and locally responsive manner.

Innovation at USAID

  • $40 million for USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures program, which promotes innovative approaches to development assistance. This funding represents a $10 million increase from 2022. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that removes the limit to how many innovation incentive awards can be provided each year by USAID.

Supporting Global Health Programs for Vulnerable Children:

  • $30 million for global child health programs, a $2.5 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Global Child Thrive Act, legislation authored by Chairman Castro that became law in 2021.

Asia Foundation

  • $22 million in U.S. contributions to the Asia Foundation, an increase of $500,000 from 2022. The Asia Foundation is a U.S.-based organization committed to improving lives across Asia with a focus on good governance, gender equality, inclusive growth, climate action, and regional and international relations.

Building a Diverse Diplomatic Corps:

  • $18 million for paid student internships at the State Department, a $10 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Castro-authored Department of State Student Internships Program, which passed as part of the FY2023 NDAA. The State Department estimates that $18 million in funding will support up to 1,200 paid interns per year, doubling the size of the program.

Mekong-US Partnership:

  • $7 million for rule of law and environment programs in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. This funding represents an increase of $2 million from 2022.

Chairman Castro also worked with his colleagues to secure funding to cover U.S. arrears at the United Nations, as well as an additional $500,000 to support grants, programs, and activities that promote the employment of U.S. citizens by international organizations.