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National Peace Corps Association > News > Advocacy > NPCA Joins Call For Strong Foreign Assistance
NPCA Joins Call For Strong Foreign Assistance
By Jonathan Pearson on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) joined 166 organizations working daily on issues of peace, humanitarian relief and development assistance, in issuing a letter to both houses of Congress, urging strong support for the non-military international affairs portion of the federal budget. The letter urges support for Senate funding recommendations for Fiscal Year 2013, which are significantly favorable when compared to the House of Representatives.
While the letter acknowledges that the nation faces daunting budget decisions, it forcefully notes that the federal deficit cannot be balanced by deep cuts to foreign assistance programs. ”Additional cuts to the International Affairs Budget – on top of the 15% budget reductions imposed over the last two years – are not the answer. At only 1.4% of the federal budget, cuts to the International Affairs Budget will not address our deficit, and they will risk lives and contribute to further destabilization of volatile regions critical to U.S. interests.”
Follow this link to read the letter and list of supporting organizations (Senate version).
Included among the Senate recommendations is a return to $400 million in funding for the Peace Corps. This recommendation would return Peace Corps funding to levels advanced two years ago as part of NPCA’s More Peace Corps Campaign. It is also higher than the $375 million requested by President Obama and recommended by the House of Representatives.
Follow this link for an action opportunity on Peace Corps funding for Fiscal Year 2013, which will begin this October 1st.
