| March 4, 2005
STOP CONGRESS
FROM CUTTING FUNDS FOR GLOBAL EMERGENCIES
REASON FOR THIS ALERT:
On February 14, President Bush announced an $81.9
billion supplemental spending request for fiscal year
2005. While most of that amount is for the Department
of Defense, it also includes funding for international
operations, tsunami relief, and other unexpected or
emergency needs not covered by the existing FY2005
budget. The House of Representatives is expected to
take up the Supplemental shortly while the Senate
plans to consider it in mid-April.
There are fears that
funding for several important initiatives will be
cut during this process or that Congress will place
any removed funding into the regular FY2006 budget,
putting further stress on next year’s foreign assistance
resources. Some Members have expressed a view that
certain items in the request are not urgent. In light
of this, now is the time to ask Congress to meet urgent
peace-building and humanitarian needs worldwide.
USCCB/CRS POSITION:
USCCB and CRS encourage Congress to consider the following
urgent international relief and development needs
as they consider the FY 2005 supplemental appropriations
bill: Palestine: The President requested $200 million
to help the new Palestinian government make progress
toward building a democratic state and improving security.
This funding would support economic stability and
infrastructure projects in the West Bank and Gaza,
demonstrating a commitment to address the critical
needs of the Palestinian people for economic progress
and stability. However, some Members of Congress have
expressed doubt about the need for this funding at
this time. USCCB/CRS believe that an additional $200
million for Palestine must be appropriated now to
take advantage of this crucial opportunity for peace
in the Holy Land.
Tsunami Relief: The $950 million requested for tsunami
relief, which includes the previously pledged $350
million, would provide immediate emergency humanitarian
relief and fund some longer-term reconstruction programs
that cannot wait for the next fiscal year’s budget
nine months from now.
Food Aid:
Although the Supplemental includes $150 million in
food aid for Sudan, an additional $850 million is
needed to address other global food aid needs. Even
before the tsunami, severe food aid shortages forced
CRS and other relief agencies to scale back and even
cancel some development programs such as agriculture,
health, and education. Emergencies such as the tsunami
and the Darfur crisis have only exacerbated the need
for more food aid. For example, the ongoing conflict
in Darfur prevented farmers there from harvesting
their crops last year. The region will need additional
funding to offset another famine this year.
Peacekeeping:
The President’s request for $780 million in U.S. contributions
to international peacekeeping missions meets pressing
needs in Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Haiti, Burundi, and
Democratic Republic of Congo. In all five countries,
foreign assistance will be crucial to establishing
effective missions to alleviate conflict and instability
that are claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands
of innocent civilians.
Sudan:
Conflict still rages in the western region of Darfur,
while the north and south must implement their recently
signed peace agreement ending a separate civil war.
The President’s requests for $242 million for humanitarian
aid in Darfur and $100 million for reconstruction
and peacebuilding in Southern Sudan are vital for
moving toward a just and lasting peace throughout
the country.
Liberia:
The President’s Supplemental request does not include
any funding for Liberia as it emerges from conflict
and needs funding for humanitarian relief and security
support. Liberia also needs additional money for successful
demobilization and reintegration programs for ex-combatants
to ensure they do not revert to taking up arms. USCCB
and CRS urge that $185 million for Liberia be added
to the supplemental to respond to this emergency.
Refugees:
The Supplemental does not include critically needed
funding for refugee admissions. Although the President
authorized the resettlement of up to 70,000 refugees
in 2005, the current budget does not contain sufficient
funds to support the resettlement of this number of
refugees.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Please contact your
members in the House of Representatives and urge them
to support the following as part of the FY 2005 supplemental
appropriations bill:
Support the President’s request for:
-
$200 million for Palestine
-
$950 million for tsunami relief
-
$342 million for Sudan
-
$780 million for U.S. contributions
to international peacekeeping operations
Increase the President’s supplemental
request to include:
-
An additional $850 million for
the Title II food aid program. While the Supplemental
includes $150 million in food aid for Sudan, more
funding is needed for other food aid crises worldwide.
-
$185 million for urgent needs
in Liberia.
-
$50 million for refugee admissions.
Visit the CRS website, www.crs.org/actioncenter.cfm,
to send a message to your House members today.
For more information, contact:
Fr. Andrew Small, OMI
Policy Advisor, USCCB
(202) 541-3153
asmall@usccb.org
Gerry Flood
Policy Advisor, USCCB
(202) 541-3167
gflood@usccb.org
Tina Rodousakis
Legislative Network Specialist
(800) 235-2772 x 7462
trodousa@catholicrelief.org
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