Despite the fiscal austerity of this measure. I believe the priorities established within the committees bill respond to the challenges we face in the world and they certainly better reflect changes in the world than do the Presidents recommendations. For example. the committees bill reduces tile Presidents military assistance request. while funds for child welfare. population programs. and refugee and migration assistance are increased above tile Presidents request. [he committees bill (ines fully fund the Presidents request for assistance to the former Soviet Republics under programs within tile Foreign Operations Subcommittees jurisdiction. This assistance will not only help tile people of the former Soviet Union. but will help build lasting cooperation among our nations. We cannot. afford to let this critical moment in history pass us by.