For Immediate Release
{June 10, 2009}

Contact: Michael Eagle
(202) 225-7924

Congresswoman Richardson Hails Passage of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Richardson hailed passage of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410), legislation that will authorize $18 billion for FY 2010 for the State Department and other foreign affairs programs.

Congresswoman Richardson issued the following statement after the vote this evening:

“This bill charts a new direction from the Bush Administration.  During the past eight years, U.S. diplomatic and development activities were significantly ignored and underfunded.  This bill is designed to protect the national security interests of the United States, help prevent conflicts before they start, restore America’s image in the international community, and rebuild relations with our friends and allies around the world.”

The Foreign Relations Authorization will:

• Supports efforts to rebuild the capacity of the Department of State to fulfill its core diplomatic mission
• Ensures that the United States will meet its financial commitments to the United Nations (U.N.) and other international organizations
• Strengthens the arms control and nonproliferation capabilities of the State Department and reforms the system of export controls for military technology and improves oversight of U.S. security assistance
• Increases the budget of the Peace Corps to support President Obama's goal of doubling the number of Peace Corps volunteers

The bipartisan bill has the support of many organizations, including the Genocide Intervention Network, Oxfam, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Refugee Commission.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security.  Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrooke and Signal Hill.

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