From time to time, the AFSA President will be asked to testify in front of Congressional Committees on topics relating to the Foreign Service and various reports concerning the Foreign Service will be released. This page is designed to put these documents in a central location for your convenience.

• AFSA Testimony
• State/USAID/Foreign Affairs Testimony
• GAO Reports
• Other Foreign Affairs Reports

Testimony by AFSA Presidents and Vice Presidents

2012 Testimony

• The FY2013 Commerce, Justice and Science Budget - Testimony of Keith Curtis, Foreign Commercial Service Vice President, American Foreign Service Association, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Chairman Frank Wolf (R-VA), March 22, 2012.

2011 Testimony

• The Diplomatic Shield: Diplomatic Security and Its Implications for U.S. Diplomacy - Testimony of Susan Rockwell Johnson, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), June 29, 2011.
• The FY2012 Budget - Testimony of Susan Rockwell Johnson, President, American Foreign Service Association, House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX), April 14, 2011. (Submitted testimony; no in-person appearance.)
• State Department Training: Investing in the Workforce to Address 21st Century Challenges - Testimony of Susan Rockwell Johnson, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), March 8, 2011.

2009 Testimony

• The Diplomat's Shield: Diplomatic Security in Today's World - Testimony of Susan Rockwell Johnson, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), December 9, 2009.
• A Review of U.S. Diplomatic Readiness - Testimony of Susan R. Johnson, President of the American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI), September 24, 2009.
• A Review of Benefits for Deployed Federal Employees - Testimony of Susan R. Johnson, President of the American Foreign Service Association, House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and District of Columbia, Chairman Stephen Lynch (D-MA), September 16, 2009.
• Fiscal Year 2010 Funding for State and USAID - Testimony of John K. Naland President, American Foreign Service Association House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), March 26, 2009.
• Building a 21st Century Workforce- Testimony of John K. Naland President, American Foreign Service Association House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), February 25, 2009.

2008 Testimony

• 2008 Special Written Statement - Joint GLIFAA/AFSA Written Statement on Domestic Partner Benefits, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), October 9, 2008.
• Domestic Crisis with Global Implications: Reviewing the Human Capital Crisis at the State Department - Testimony of John K. Naland, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) July 16, 2008.
• Diplomacy's Human Element - Testimony of John K. Naland, President, American Foreign Service Association, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Chairman John F. Tierney (D-MA), January 23, 2008.

2007 Testimony

• Building a Stronger American Diplomatic Presence to Meet the Challenges of a Post-9-11 World - Testimony of John K. Naland, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), August 1, 2007.
• Working in a War Zone: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Civilians Returning from Iraq - Testimony of Steven Kashkett, Vice President, American Foreign Service Association, House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, Chairman Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY), June 19, 2007.
• Foreign Assistance Reform: Successes, Failures and Next Steps - Testimony of The Honorable J. Anthony Holmes, President, American Foreign Service Association, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Development, Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection, June 12, 2007.

2005 Testimony

• Protection of Soft Targets - Testimony by John W. Limbert, President of AFSA, before the House Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations - 05/10/05
• Foreign Relations Authorization - Testimony by Louise K. Crane, Vice-President of AFSA, before the House International Relations Committee, Subcommittee on Human Rights, Africa, and International Operations - 04/14/05
• Foreign Affairs Funding for FY '06 - Testimony by John W. Limbert, President of AFSA, submitted to the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce - 04/08/05

State/USAID/FCS/FAS/IBB Testimony and Remarks

• Secretary Kerry's Testimony in the Senate Hearing on National Security & Foreign Policy Priorities in the FY 2014 International Affairs Budget, April 18, 2013
• Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USLGC) Conference, July 12, 2011
• USAID Administrator Shah's Testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense, and Foreign Operations (May 11, 2011): USAID - Following the Money
• USAID Administrator Shah's Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the FY12 Budget (April 13, 2011)
• USAID Administrator Shah's Testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs on the FY12 Budget (April 12, 2011)
• USAID Administrator Shah's Testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations: The FY2012 Budget (March 30, 2011)
• Secretary Clinton's Remarks before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations: The FY12 Budget (March 2, 2011)
• Secretary Clinton's Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the FY12 Budget (March 2, 2011)
• Secretary Clinton's Testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the FY12 Budget (March 1, 2011)
• March 1, 2011 House Foreign Affairs Committee: Statement of Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
• March 1, 2011 House Foreign Affairs Committee: Statement of Ranking Member Berman (D-CA)
• Secretary Clinton's Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the FY11 Budget (February 25, 2010)
• USAID Administrator Shah's Testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the FY11 Budget (March 3, 2010) 

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports

Regarding the Foreign Affairs Agencies

• 12/14/12 - Follow-Up on the Haiti Earned Import Allowance Program
• 12/12/12 - U.S. Non-Emergency Food Aid Programs Have Similar Objectives but Some Planning Helps Limit Overlap
• 11/15/12 - Diplomatic Security Challenges
• 9/24/12 - Improved Targeting Would Help Enable USAID to Reach Vulnerable Groups
• 9/13/12 - Improvements Needed in USAID's and Treasury's Monitoring and Evaluation Efforts
• 9/10/12 - Border Security: State Could Enhance Visa Fraud Prevention by Strategically Using Resources and Training
• 7/25/12 - Overseas Rightsizing: State Has Improved the Consistency of Its Approach, But Does Not Follow Up on Its Recommendations
• 7/13/12 - U.S. Assistance to the West Bank and Gaza for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011
• 6/28/12 - State and DOD Face Challenges in Finalizing Support and Security Capabilities
• 6/14/12 - Foreign Service Midlevel Staffing Gaps Persist Despite Significant Increases in Hiring
• 6/6/12 - USAID Oversight of Assistance Funds and Programs in Afghanistan
• 5/31/12 - State Department Followed an Extensive Process to Prepare Annual Country Reports
• 5/15/12 - State Should Enhance Its Performance Measures for Assessing Efforts in Pakistan to Counter IEDs
• 2/29/12 - Uncertain Political and Security Situation Challenges U.S. Efforts to Implement a Comprehensive Strategy in Yemen
• 2/27/12 - Improvements Needed to Strengthen Management of U.S. Civilian Presence in Afghanistan
• 1/31/12 - State Department and Other Agencies Should Further Explore Opportunities to Save Administrative Costs Overseas
• 12/7/11 - Visa Waiver Program: Additional Actions Needed to Address Risks and Strengthen Overstay Enforcement
• 11/16/11 - Haiti Reconstruction: Factors Contributing to Delays in USAID Infrastructure Construction
• 11/14/11 - Foreign Assistance: Clearer Guidance Needed on Compliance Overseas with Legislation Prohibiting Abortion-Related Lobbying
• 10/31/11 - National Export Initiative: U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Should Improve Performance and Resource Allocation Management
• 9/16/11 - Iraq Drawdown: Opportunities Exist to Improve Equipment Visibility, Contractor Demobilization, and Clarity of Post-2011 DOD Role
• 9/15/11 - Iraq and Afghanistan: DOD, State and USAID Cannot Fully Account for Contracts, Assistance Instruments, and Associated Personnel
• 9/13/11 - Visa Security: Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Overstay Enforcement and Address Risks in the Visa Process
• 7/29/11 - Foreign Assistance: The U.S. Needs Wide-Ranging Trade Capacity Building Assistance but Better Evaluation and Reporting Are Needed
• 6/30/11 - Department of State Overseas Comparability Pay (Note: AFSA strongly disagrees with the report's analysis and the conflating of base pay and allowances, differentials, COLA, etc. See this September 15, 2011 letter from AFSA to the GAO.)
• 6/29/11 - Diplomatic Security: Expanded Missions and Inadequate Facilities Pose Critical Challenges to Training Efforts
• 6/8/11 - Afghanistan: U.S. Efforts to Vet Non-U.S. Vendors Need Improvement
• 5/26/11 - Department of State's Counternarcotics Performance Management System
• 5/19/11 - Haiti Reconstruction
• 5/12/11 - International Food Assistance
• 4/5/11 - State Department IG: Actions to Address Independence and Effectiveness Concerns Are Under Way
• 3/8/11 - Additional Steps Are Needed to Improve Strategic Planning and Evaluation of Training for State Personnel
• 10/1/10 - DOD, State and USAID Face Continuing Challenges in Tracking Contracts, Assistance Instruments, and Associated Personnel
• 9/30/10 - State Department Needs to Enhance Reporting Requirements and Evaluate Its Efforts to Increase U.S. Representation
• 8/31/10 - Increases in Commercial Service Workforce Should Be Better Planned
• 7/20/10 - State Faces Challenges in Sizing Facilities and Providing for Operations and Maintenance Requirements
• 6/20/10 - USAID Needs to Improve Its Strategic Planning to Address Current and Future Workforce Needs
• 4/12/10 - Improvements Needed in Management of Contractors Supporting Contract and Grant Administration in Iraq and Afghanistan
• 12/9/09 - Challenges Facing the Bureau of Diplomatic Security
• 11/12/09 - Diplomatic Security's Recent Growth Warrants Strategic Review
• 9/24/09 - Persistent Staffing and Foreign Language Gaps Compromise Diplomatic Readiness
• 9/17/09- Additional Steps Needed to Address Continuing Staffing and Experience Gaps at Hardship Posts
• 9/17/09- Comprehensive Plan Needed to Address Persistent Foreign Language Shortfalls
• 9/16/09 - Improved Tracking and Additional Actions Needed to Ensure the Timely and Accurate Delivery of Compensation and Medical Benefits to Deployed Civilians

Other Foreign Affairs Reports

• 03/13 - Learning from Iraq: A Final Report from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
• 12/12 - ARB Benghazi Report
• 12/12 - Flashing Red: A Special Report On The Terrorist Attack At Benghazi
• 10/12 - Diplomacy in a Time of Scarcity
• 07/11 - Managing Secretary Clinton's State Department: An Independent Assessment
• 02/11 - Forging a 21st-Century Diplomatic Service for the U.S through Professional Education and Training
• 10/08 - A Foreign Affairs Budget for the Future: Fixing the Crisis in Diplomatic Readiness

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