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March 25, 2009
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ACTION ALERT
URGE SENATE COMMITTEE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
TAKE ACTION NOW! You are receiving this action alert because at least one of your Senators is a member of the Senate Budget Committee. Please contact them now and urge them to ask the Budget Committee Chairman, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) to support President Obama’s 2010 budget request for international affairs so that a $3 billion increase can be allocated to poverty-focused international assistance programs.
WHY IS THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET LEVEL IMPORTANT NOW? The FY 2010 budget that the Senate Budget Committee will approve next week determines overall funding levels for various U.S. government programs and initiatives, including international affairs. President Obama requested $51.7 billion for international affairs in his FY 2010 budget outline. While this represents only 1.4% of the President’s entire budget proposal, this funding level would permit increased funding for programs essential to confronting global poverty.
HOW DO KEY PARTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET CONFRONT GLOBAL POVERTY? The international affairs budget encompasses lifesaving programs that confront global poverty, including: provision of food and clean water; treatment of people affected by HIV and other deadly diseases; promotion of agriculture and microfinance to help people support themselves and their families, and delivery of education and health services to poor people. At this point in the Congressional budget process, a strong international affairs budget level is critical to ensuring that adequate resources for those programs assisting poor and vulnerable people around the globe are available as the budget and appropriations process continues.
WHAT DOES THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET HAVE TO DO WITH MY FAITH? Our Catholic faith teaches us to follow the Gospel’s call and uphold the life and dignity of the human person. As part of this effort to practice our faith, we are called to alleviate human suffering and promote justice worldwide. By insisting that our government assist our brothers and sisters who need a hand up to lift themselves out of poverty, we are acting on our faith.
For more information contact:
Stephen Colecchi, Director, USCCB Office of International Justice and Peace, scolecchi@usccb.org, 202-541-3196
Tina Rodousakis, Manager, CRS Grassroots Advocacy, trodousa@crs.org, (410) 951-7462
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