News From Washington - June 2017

June 2017
By Tim Gehring

Before I moved to Washington, DC or worked for IJM, I remember sitting in the office of my economic professor telling him that although I didn’t know what exactly I hoped to do as a career, I knew I wanted to work on U.S. foreign assistance. For as long as I have been interested in foreign policy, I’ve wanted to learn more about what makes foreign aid effective and how the U.S. decides how to spend this money. Now that I work at IJM, the work that I get to do on U.S. foreign assistance is hands-down my favorite part of my job.

Last week, I delivered over 350 signatures from faith leaders around the United States asking members of Congress to continue to prioritize funding for U.S. foreign assistance.

While U.S. foreign assistance comprises less than one percent of the entire budget, it provides funding for international anti-slavery accounts, strong diplomacy, global health, emergency humanitarian aid and many other important international programs.

Throughout the year, I engage with the Congressional staff to advocate for funding for foreign aid programs that combat trafficking and slavery, protect women and children from sexual violence and hold perpetrators of violence accountable. The next several weeks are a critical time in the appropriations process to ensure that the overall foreign assistance account is well-funded. I was able to use this letter as an opportunity to engage with House and Senate Appropriators to let them know that leaders in their communities value these programs and want them to continue to receive support in the 2018 budget.

Fortunately, many members of Congress from both parties have publicly stated their support for U.S. foreign assistance and maintaining funding for those programs:

“I am very concerned by reports of deep cuts that could damage efforts to combat terrorism, save lives, and create opportunities for American workers.” – Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (R-CA)

“How are you going to have a robust and meaningful engagement in the world if you cut our diplomacy budget, you cut our development assistance? This is how we keep the world safe.” – Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (D-MD)

“People seem to think foreign aid is charity. It’s not. It’s given largely in the interest of the United States.” – Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK)

“Republican and Democrats agree: cutting America’s foreign aid cuts America’s national security.” – Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

“Soft power helps us achieve diplomatic goals of promoting democracy & high standards worldwide.” – Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

“The proposed budget cuts would undermine the necessary and life-saving work done by diplomats representing American interests across the globe, making our country less safe and our world less secure.” – Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)

If you know faith leaders in your community who would like to add their names to this letter, please share this page with them! We are still collecting signatures.