{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-castro-secures-funding-for-key-foreign-affairs-programs-in-2023-omnibus-appropriations", "Chairman Castro Secures Funding for Key Foreign Affairs Programs in 2023 Omnibus Appropriations", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaquin Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", "castro", "https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact, announced that the 2023 federal omnibus appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 23, 2022 includes significant investments he secured to advance American interests and promote sustainable development around the world.\n\n\u201cFor the past two years, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact has worked to strengthen America\u2019s contributions to a healthier, safer, and more equitable world. As our work concludes for the 117th Congress, I\u2019m very proud that the 2023 omnibus includes funding for many of the critical programs our Subcommittee has championed. I thank my Subcommittee colleagues for their dedicated service and I look forward to seeing how our legislative efforts will continue to improve lives around the world,\u201d said Chairman Castro.\n\nProvisions secured by Chairman Castro in the 2023 omnibus include:\n\nCentroam\u00e9rica Local:\n\n$100 million for USAID to fund locally led development programs in Central America that seek to address causes of irregular migration by strengthening regional governance, promoting economic growth, and improving the rule of law. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that allows USAID to use these funds in a flexible and locally responsive manner.\n\nInnovation at USAID\n\n$40 million for USAID\u2019s Development Innovation Ventures program, which promotes innovative approaches to development assistance. This funding represents a $10 million increase from 2022. Chairman Castro secured additional language in the omnibus that removes the limit to how many innovation incentive awards can be provided each year by USAID.\n\nSupporting Global Health Programs for Vulnerable Children:\n\n$30 million for global child health programs, a $2.5 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Global Child Thrive Act, legislation authored by Chairman Castro that became law in 2021.\n\nAsia Foundation\n\n$22 million in U.S. contributions to the Asia Foundation, an increase of $500,000 from 2022. The Asia Foundation is a U.S.-based organization committed to improving lives across Asia with a focus on good governance, gender equality, inclusive growth, climate action, and regional and international relations.\n\nBuilding a Diverse Diplomatic Corps:\n\n$18 million for paid student internships at the State Department, a $10 million increase from 2022. This funding supports implementation of the Castro-authored Department of State Student Internships Program, which passed as part of the FY2023 NDAA. The State Department estimates that $18 million in funding will support up to 1,200 paid interns per year, doubling the size of the program.\n\nMekong-US Partnership:\n\n$7 million for rule of law and environment programs in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. This funding represents an increase of $2 million from 2022.\n\nChairman Castro also worked with his colleagues to secure funding to cover U.S. arrears at the United Nations, as well as an additional $500,000 to support grants, programs, and activities that promote the employment of U.S. citizens by international organizations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-castro-secures-funding-for-key-foreign-affairs-programs-in-2023-omnibus-appropriations"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.001158893108368, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}