Press Releases

Wexton Votes to Approve Fiscal Year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Funding Bill Through Appropriations Committee

Washington, July 1, 2021

Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to approve the fiscal year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs funding bill, which includes critical investments in global health, gender equity, and the foreign policy workforce as well as record funding for Radio Free Asia to counter Chinese disinformation.

“This legislation addresses our most urgent needs and makes us safer here at home,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “I'm proud to see many important provisions that I fought for make it into the final bill including major investments in our foreign policy workforce, a resumption of aid for the Palestinian people, and record funding for Radio Free Asia’s Uyghur Service. This legislation also sends a powerful message by officially declaring that the PRC's oppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang is genocide. I’m glad we can finally say: America is back.”

The bill provides $62.24 billion, which is $6.737 billion above 2021 -- an increase of 12.1 percent. The legislation: 

  • Supports the world’s most vulnerable with foreign assistance to meet humanitarian needs
  • Rebuilds the global public health infrastructure with a dramatic increase in funding for global health security to confront the current COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future pandemics
  • Increases funding for Radio Free Asia (RFA) and expands of RFA’s Uyghur Service, as requested by Congresswoman Wexton
  • Supports humanitarian and development programs for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza
  • Affirms the designation of genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang 
  • Advances women’s rights by increasing funding for family planning, increasing United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) funding, and repealing restrictions on safe and legal abortion
  • Confronts climate change with funding for global efforts to reduce emissions, including the Green Climate Fund
  • Promotes democracy with funding to support allies and partners of the United States, particularly to counter growing Chinese influence 

Congresswoman Wexton is a member of the House Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee; and Legislative Branch Subcommittee.

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