Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016

H.R. 2772 is a funding bill that would have provided approximately $47.8 billion for the Department of State, USAID, and related international programs for the 2016 fiscal year. The legislation outlines the budget for U.S. diplomatic operations, global health initiatives, and security assistance to foreign allies while placing specific restrictions on how that money can be spent.

For the average citizen, this bill determines how federal tax dollars are used to manage America’s image and interests abroad, ranging from the operation of overseas embassies to the delivery of humanitarian aid. It includes provisions that would impact government transparency by withholding a portion of State Department funds until the agency improves its record-keeping and response times for public information requests. Additionally, the bill sets policy boundaries by prohibiting funds for certain international climate change programs and restricting aid to specific countries or organizations based on their human rights records or diplomatic relationships with the United States.