IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 220 

Recognizing the interdependence of diplomacy, development, and defense as 

critical to effective national security. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 13, 2019 

Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Mr. MCCAUL, Mrs. LOWEY, and Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the interdependence of diplomacy, development, 

and defense as critical to effective national security. 

Whereas there has long been a strong bipartisan consensus 

that diplomacy, development, and defense are key pillars 

of an effective national security strategy; 

Whereas former Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified 

before Congress that ‘‘If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition . . . 

.’’; 

Whereas President Barack Obama’s first National Security 

Strategy affirmed that ‘‘Our Armed Forces will always be 

a cornerstone of our security, but they must be complemented. Our security also depends upon diplomats 

who can act in every corner of the world . . . .’’; 


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•HRES 220 IH 

Whereas President George W. Bush, in his first National Security Strategy, recognized the interdependent relationship between development, diplomacy, and defense as 

critical to advancing United States national security interests; 

Whereas the Department of State and its employees are extremely effective in resolving international disputes 

through diplomacy, thus precluding the need for the use 

of Armed Forces and saving American lives and taxpayer 

dollars; 

Whereas the United States Agency for International Development and its employees lead efforts that help countries 

and communities progress from crisis and poverty to stability and opportunity, creating a stronger, safer world 

that is ultimately less dependent on aid; 

Whereas in an April 21, 2010, letter to Congress, former 

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote that ‘‘The work 

performed by diplomatic and development professionals 

helps build the foundation for more stable, democratic 

and prosperous societies. These are places where the potential for conflict can be minimized, if not completely 

avoided, by State and USAID programs—thereby lowering the likely need for deployment of U.S. military assets.’’; 

Whereas for between just one and one-and-a-half percent of 

the total Federal budget, the United States International 

Affairs Budget supports all United States diplomacy and 

development objectives, which advance United States national security interests at home and abroad; 


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•HRES 220 IH 

Whereas diplomacy and development programs are critical 

tools in supporting key strategic allies like Israel and 

Jordan; 

Whereas the Department of State and the United States 

Agency for International Development are critical partners in conflict mitigation, addressing some of the root 

causes of state failure and terrorism in order to prevent 

conflict before it starts; 

Whereas global health programs funded through the United 

States International Affairs Budget work to fight infectious diseases and prevent deadly pandemics from reaching America’s shores; 

Whereas humanitarian assistance programs funded through 

the United States International Affairs Budget assist vulnerable populations and help respond to humanitarian 

emergencies, such as famine and the growing numbers of 

displaced people worldwide; 

Whereas United States development and diplomacy programs 

promote America’s economic interests and help support 

jobs here at home by building and opening new markets 

for United States exports, attracting investment to the 

United States, and helping American companies and 

workers to compete globally on a level playing field; 

Whereas bipartisan support in Congress has resulted in significant foreign assistance reform, ensuring more transparent, accountable, and results-driven programs; and 

Whereas Members of Congress have built a bipartisan legacy 

of support for United States diplomacy and a strong and 

effective International Affairs Budget: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 220 IH 

1 (1) recognizes the importance of diplomacy and 

2 development to United States national security; 

3 (2) recognizes the importance of United States 

4 diplomacy and the work of our diplomats around the 

5 world in resolving complex issues, including pre6 venting conflict through dialogue and negotiation; 

7 (3) recognizes the importance of United States 

8 development efforts and the work of our develop9 ment professionals around the world in saving lives, 

10 creating opportunities, and advancing democracy, 

11 governance, and peace; and 

12 (4) supports a strong United States Inter13 national Affairs Budget that demonstrates American 

14 leadership and values and promotes United States 

15 interests. 

Æ 


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