Risch on FY2022 Budget Request: Throwing Good Money at Bad Programs Will Not Advance U.S. Interests

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on President Biden’s FY2022 international affairs budget request:

“At first glance, the president's international affairs budget request for FY2022 appears to have some bright spots, in particular the areas which aim to advance the global health security of the United States overseas. Unfortunately, bipartisan priorities like this one are at risk of being overshadowed by what the president gets wrong.

“Throwing good money at bad programs will not advance the national security, economic, or humanitarian interests of the American people. By promising to overpay U.N. peacekeeping dues, the president is disincentivizing reform and ensuring that China can continue to shape international organizations to suit its ends. And by imposing unrealistic restrictions on the development of affordable and reliable energy in places like Africa, the president is pushing developing nations into deeper poverty and reliance on China for their energy needs. 

“In my capacity as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I am committed to objectively scrutinizing the international affairs budget request and ensuring that U.S. foreign assistance is strategic, efficient, and effective. No amount of waste can be tolerated.”

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