Secretary Rubio said the changes are intended to empower regional bureaus and embassies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revised his proposed overhaul of the State Department after pushback from members of the minority party in Congress over large reductions to international assistance and human rights.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast of Florida is working to create a State Department reauthorization bill by the end of this year and requested the State Department to submit its proposed vision. The majority is likely to approve most of the plan, reportedly the largest since the Cold War, which includes cutting or consolidating over 300 agency offices and bureaus. Approximately 3,400 State Department personnel would be released.
Secretary Rubio told members of Congress, “We want to get back to a situation or we want to get to a situation where we are empowering ideas and action at the embassy level and through our regional bureaus. Those are literally the front lines of American diplomacy. And so we have structured a State Department that can deliver on that.”
Secretary Rubio stated, “The reorganization plan will result in a more agile Department, better equipped to promote America’s interests and keep Americans safe across the world.” He said the goal is to implement the new structure by July 1.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of Congress as they provide oversight for the restructuring of the State Department.
- For Secretary Rubio to receive God’s guidance as he manages the streamlining of the agencies and offices of his department.
Sources: Roll Call, Fox News
