FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026
Media Contact: Joe Shaffner, Vice President
National Peace Corps Association, [email protected]
Washington, DC – Last week, members of the House of Representatives rushed to meet a one week deadline of March 11 to sign on to a letter calling for a Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) funding increase for the Peace Corps. Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) and Delegate Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) co-authored the letter addressed to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs — calling for $479 million to be set aside for the agency’s operations and programs.
Co-Chairs of the Peace Corps Caucus Radewagen and Garamendi made a similar request for FY 26, whereas the actual funding was further cut from the prior year’s $430 million to $410 million. Funding requests, which precede the appropriation processes in the House, traditionally set aside one week for signatures in the 435 member lower house chamber. After the deadline, the number of signatures reached 121.
“The Peace Corps is a vital component of American diplomacy and engagement worldwide,” said Representative Garamendi. “My wife, Patti, and I started our careers in public service in the Peace Corps. We know first-hand the importance of the work that the Volunteers do to build lasting relationships, strengthen international partnerships, and project American values worldwide. Amid rising global tensions, funding the Peace Corps is more crucial than ever.”
Representative Radewagen said, “I appreciate the work of the Peace Corps, including in our Pacific region, as a former staffer and my daughter is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, so I welcome their effort to double the current number of Volunteers by 2030 to reach pre-pandemic numbers. That said, the current funding level of $410 million, similar to the funding of a decade ago, does not account for the higher cost of living. We should ensure the agency can meet its recruitment goals while safeguarding the health and safety of its Volunteers.”
The funding request letter serves as a confirmation of bipartisan support for the Peace Corps, as well as a guide for funding that meets the agency’s needs and demands of an evolving global economy. Since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, close to 250,000 Volunteers from across the U.S. have served in more than 140 countries. Currently, more than 3,000 Volunteers are based in more than 60 countries worldwide. Programs include agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development. The funding request initiated by Representatives Garamendi and Radewagen — and advocated for by National Peace Corps Association and broader Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) community — is intended to inform the forthcoming “National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act” later this year.
“The current funding for the Peace Corps amounts to less than 0.01% of the total U.S. federal spending and less than 1% of the international affairs budget,” said National Peace Corps Association President and CEO Carla Brown. “The return on investment for the U.S. is exponential. In fact, over 85% of returned Volunteers continue to volunteer in their communities across the U.S. — more than double the national average of nearly 30%. In any given year, Volunteers return home to lead large and small businesses, work in nonprofits, education, healthcare, diplomacy, or support their local communities in countless ways. The yearly economic impact of Volunteers is between $752 million and $1.1 billion. While we understand the challenges of funding all U.S. programs domestically and internationally, the Peace Corps is well worth the investment.”
NOTE: In the coming weeks, members of the U.S. Senate will circulate a similar funding request letter.
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National Peace Corps Association
National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the entire Peace Corps community, encouraging and celebrating their lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals, and building their capacity to make a profound difference in the world. NPCA is a separate entity from the government agency, while the organization does advocate for the agency and for former and currently serving Volunteers. By design, Peace Corps and NPCA have a close and cordial relationship that fosters mutual respect and understanding. For more information, visit https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/.
About the Peace Corps
The U.S. Government’s premier international volunteering agency, the Peace Corps sends passionate and skilled Americans abroad to collaborate on projects that advance both American and host country priorities. This year, the agency commemorates 65 years of promoting world peace and friendship through volunteer service. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has played a vital role in advancing U.S. global engagement through the work of close to 250,000 Volunteers serving in 144 host countries. For more information, visit https://www.peacecorps.gov/.