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National Peace Corps Association > News > Advocacy > Senate Funding Bill Includes $425M for Peace Corps
Senate Funding Bill Includes $425M for Peace Corps
By Jonathan Pearson on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
As Congress continues deliberations during its “lame duck” session, the Senate Appropriations Committee released an omnibus spending bill that would fund government programs during Fiscal Year 2011, which runs until next September 30th.
Included in this spending package is $425 million for Peace Corps. That funding level would be $25 million above current spending, and likely is the best possibility for a Peace Corps funding increase.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution that would hold Peace Corps spending at its current $400 million through next September. Lawmakers seeking to significantly reduce government spending are supporting a shorter continuing resolution that would allow the new Congress to finalize the FY 11 budget. Such a scenario could very well result in final FY 11 funding for Peace Corps which is below the current $400 million.
Although the spending package has been introduced in the Senate, passage is far from guaranteed as 60 votes will be needed to override anticipated filibusters.
“Although the Senate mark for Peace Corps of $425 million is below the President’s request, it is an increase over last year’s appropriation and slightly above this year’s Senate Committee mark,” said National Peace Corps Association President Kevin Quigely. “Despite the challenging budget environment, the community will need to redouble its efforts to keep on the trajectory moving us towards a bigger, better and bolder Peace Corps.”
Contact Your Senators:
- Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard (877-851-6437) and ask to be connected to the office of your Senator. Or, contact your Senators directly.
- Identify yourself as a constituent and leave this message. “I am a big supporter of the Peace Corps. I urge Senator ________ to take action that ensures Peace Corps receives a funding increase for Fiscal Year 2011. With increased interest in serving in the Peace Corps, and on the eve of Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary, now is not the time to slow the great progress Congress has made in the past several years.”
- Forward this message to five other friends and ask them to take similar action.
