Republicans from the House Committee on Appropriations introduced their FY24 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill in late June. In the text, Republicans excluded the United Nations and other international organizations and programs, just as Donald Trump did in 2020. Kay Granger, representative for Texas, chairs the Committee along with 33 other Republicans against a Democratic caucus of 27.
The bill specifies, in its section on cuts, that for the next budget the "Prohibits funds for other controversial organizations and programs, such as UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], the World Health Organization, and the Gender Equity and Equality Action Fund." It also proposes eliminating the participation of the United Nations, a savings estimated at $707 million. In total, the UN regular budget reached $3.4 billion for fiscal year 2023.
In addition to the changes cited above, the bill provides for the defunding of 17 other supranational agency programs. They are the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); UN Women; the United Nations Montreal Protocol; the United Nations Environment Fund; and the World Economic Forum.
The end of special envoys
Among other cuts, the Commission's proposal proposes to end much of the funding for cooperation and development programs related to the State Department and international objectives, such as USAID (United States Agency for International Development).
It would also end funding for 33 special presidential envoy positions. These include envoys for the climate; equity and racial justice; advancing LGBTQI+ human rights; international labor affairs; and the special representative for Palestinian affairs. All positions are in direct relationship with the White House or the State Department.
Excited to celebrate #PrideMonth at the State Department with Special Envoy to Promote Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Jessica Stern.
Today and everyday, we recommit ourselves to joining with LGBTQI+ people in the fight for strong and inclusive democracies for all, around the world."
Excited to celebrate #PrideMonth at the State Department with Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Jessica Stern.
Today and everyday, we recommit ourselves to joining with LGBTQI+ persons in the fight for strong and inclusive democracies for all, around… pic.twitter.com/vfU4l7jBdw
— Special Envoy Abby Finkenauer (@USGlobalYouth) June 29, 2023
Special envoys, representatives and coordinators are diplomats or federal government officials who report directly to the secretary of state and are in charge of a specific issue, usually not limited to borders or the relationship with a state or nation. They work in parallel to ambassadors. Some of these positions were created during Democratic administrations to oversee issues related to the progressive agenda. John Kerry, former secretary of state, holds for example the position of special climate envoy, created in 2021 by Joe Biden.
Kerry's tenure at the State Department also saw the creation of the position of special envoy for the advancement of LGBTQI+ human rights, which was vacant throughout Donald Trump's tenure, until Joe Biden appointed Jessica Stern.
