Rep. Bilirakis Statement on Passage of State Authorization Bill

Washington, DC (July 17, 2012) – Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the first State Authorization bill since 2003:

"It has been nearly a decade since the last authorization was enacted, which has eroded Congress's oversight and foreign policy leverage. Congress has a commitment to fiscal responsibility and this legislation will allow for reforms that will make the federal government and its foreign relations operations more efficient and effective."

The authorization bill is $2 billion below current-year spending levels, and $2.8 billion less than the Administration's FY 2013 request.