Royce bill cuts State Department budget by $2.4 billion

“It has been far too long since a State Department authorization bill has been signed into law,” Royce said in announcing the bill. “This fiscally responsible legislation will provide essential direction to the State Department regarding its operations.

“The safety and security of U.S. personnel abroad is a top priority of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Following the attack on the diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, we know that improving embassy security is essential. This legislation makes substantial improvements to embassy security funding, procedures, and operations, especially at high-risk, high-threat posts.”

{mosads}The bill would also allow the secretary of State to suspend without pay a Foreign Service officer credibly accused of a crime. And it caps the amount of locality pay that Foreign Service Officers are able to receive while stationed overseas.

Royce has scheduled a mark-up of the bill for Thursday.

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