Congressional lawmakers want a say in Marco Rubio’s State Department reforms

During a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented his extensive reforms to the agency. The reforms included cutting bureaus and staff focusing on human rights. Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, both Republicans and Democrats, agreed on the necessity for reforms at the State Department. However, they disagreed on Rubio’s proposal to reduce bureaus and staff dedicated to human rights issues. Rubio’s plan involves cutting 132 bureaus, many of which are related to human rights, women’s rights, religious freedom, and stabilization efforts, along with advocating for a 15% reduction in domestic State Department workers.

At a hearing titled “The Need for an Authorized States Department,” Congress members debated how these cuts would impact the United States’ ability to promote its values globally and lead in human rights and humanitarian efforts. The absence of an authorization bill for the State Department since 2002 prompted concerns among members from both parties. They fear that the lack of oversight could lead to the executive branch conducting foreign policy without congressional approval.

While some argued that the State Department had become overly bureaucratic, others criticized Rubio’s plans as abandoning bipartisan support for human rights and democracy in foreign policy. The proposed cuts would affect significant bureaus such as the Under Secretary of Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion office.

Notably, concerns were raised that if the U.S. retreats from promoting human rights abroad, foreign adversaries like China and Russia could exploit this gap. Members of the Committee debated passionately about the U.S.’ recent treatment of allies and adversaries, with some expressing worries about the country’s diminishing relationships with allies and emboldened adversaries. The discussions also centered on the need for an authorization bill to ensure Congress has a say in the State Department’s operations and policies.