Peters Helps Advance State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, Secures Investments to Strengthen Our National Security and Promote Human Rights Globally
Bill Would Bolster U.S. Efforts to Secure Hostages, Includes Funding to Combat Human Rights Abuses Across the Globe, including in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region of Azerbaijan
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped the Senate Appropriations Committee pass the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2025 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. This bipartisan legislation advances America’s foreign policy objectives and works to address growing threats and ongoing conflicts across the globe.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, is considering their own funding bills. The Senate and House will then need to reach an agreement on a final funding bill and have it pass both chambers before being sent to the President to be signed into law.
“Today, we are faced with an increasingly dangerous world — one in which our interests and allies are under threat,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation responds to those challenges. It will help safeguard human rights, boost global health outcomes, support our international partners, and strengthen democracy around the world. I look forward to passing these resources into law – and will continue working to strengthen our global standing and national security.”
The bill includes measures led and supported by Peters, including:
Supporting Allies and Partners and Countering Malign Actors: The bill helps ensure the U.S. delivers on its commitments to our allies and partners, including by delivering critical funding for economic, security, and other assistance for allies across the globe, supporting Ukraine, and fully funding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Israel and the MOU with Jordan. The bill also increases funding for the Countering People’s Republic of China (PRC) Influence Fund, enhances strategic investments to counter Russian influence and aggression, and increases funding for partner military financing, training, and education globally.
Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl: The bill includes $1.4 billion to strengthen law enforcement cooperation between governments and to counter drug trafficking, which includes $170 million— $45 million more than fiscal year 2024—to support efforts to stop global flows of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, as well as their precursor materials, including through implementation of the FENTANYL Results Act.
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs: The bill includes funding for the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), which is appointed by the President and reports to the Secretary of State. The office coordinates the Department of State’s diplomatic, family, congressional, and external engagements related to overseas hostage-taking and wrongful detentions. This office has been critical in assisting Paul Whelan’s family while he has been wrongfully detained in Russia.
Protecting American Embassies and Diplomats Around the Globe and Accelerating Modernization of Armored Vehicle Fleet: The bill includes $3.89 billion in funding for the Department of State to ensure Embassy and Diplomatic Security have sufficient resources for training, equipment, and support to react to ever-changing security threats. As part of this funding increase, this provision also directs the Secretary of State to submit a report including an assessment of its current fleet of armored vehicles, the availability of alternatives for new armored vehicles, and a cost-benefit analysis, including funding required, to modernize its existing fleet.
Providing Military Education and Training for Our Allies: The bill includes $125.4 million to support the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which is a key component of the United States’ security cooperation with its allies.
Supporting Allies, Bolstering Defense Against Russian Threats: The bill includes $902.794 million in funding for countries in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia facing intensified Russian aggression and severe economic disruption due in part to Russia’s war against Ukraine. This assistance will be used to support programs that promote democracy in the region, provide resources to counter disinformation and strengthen economic and societal development.
Protecting Civilians in War Zones by Removing Explosive Hazards: Peters secured a provision in the bill that supports Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) activities that help prevent casualties in conflict zones. Humanitarian demining is critical for protecting civilians, including Ukrainian civilians, and also supports reconstruction efforts throughout the region. CWD weapons security programs also secure government weapons stockpiles, combat the global black-market arms trade, keep weapons out of the hands of terror groups, and protect U.S. national and global security.
Resources to Respond to Emerging Global Threats: The bill includes $60 million for the Complex Crisis Fund, which supports activities that prevent conflict or respond to emerging or unforeseen complex crises overseas and contribute to U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The program provides flexibility to address conflicts as they arise and seeks to mitigate the risk of larger-scale intervention.
Funding for the Middle East Partnership Initiative: The bill includes $27.2 million for the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which seeks to support inclusive economic growth, government responsiveness, democratic decision-making, and greater opportunities for youth, women, and marginalized communities.
Supporting American Media Across the Globe: The bill includes $861.72 million for the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which seeks to combat anti-democratic efforts by combating misinformation, disinformation, and weaponized corruption in countries across the globe. The USAGM is an independent federal agency that supports a network of international broadcast operations including: Voice of America; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Radio Free Asia; the Middle East Broadcasting Networks; and the Open Technology Fund.
Promoting Democracies and Human Rights Globally: The bill supports the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG). This program leads efforts that promote democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development.
###
