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Budget Debates Move to Capitol Hill
By Jordan Smith at 2 March, 2010, 1:02 pm
Last week cabinet secretaries began making their pitches to Congress on why they should support the President’s FY 11 budget request. Secretary Clinton was on-hand before four committees to begin discussions on President Obama’s $58.5 billion FY11 International Affairs Budget request, and bipartisan support was expressed for her efforts to increase U.S. global engagement on a variety of issues. In her opening statement to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Secretary Clinton said, “The budget we are presenting today is designed to protect America and Americans and to advance our interests and values,” and throughout the hearings she emphasized the national security, economic prosperity, and global leadership benefits of the programs funded by the International Affairs Budget.
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Congress Hears from USGLC in the Field
By Jordan Smith at 2 March, 2010, 1:38 pm
USGLC activists took advantage of members of Congress being home during the President’s Day recess and reminded them how important the International Affairs Budget is to their communities. Key leaders such as House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) heard from SC USGLC leaders who drove home the message about the economic and national security benefits international business and engagement brings to their state.
“My company helps small businesses enter the global marketplace, and I see every day how vital it is for South Carolina firms and for the state to be globally engaged, ” said Fred Monk, president of ECI/Find New Markets and a SC USGLC Advisory Board member, following his meeting with Rep. Spratt. “The International Affairs Budget is an important tool in staying globally connected. I am thankful for USGLC’s leadership in reaching out to our Congressional leaders and keeping the public informed to the need and benefit for this investment.”
Budget Debates Move to Capitol Hill
By Jordan Smith at 2 March, 2010, 1:31 pm
On Wednesday, Feb. 24th, USGLC leaders took Capitol Hill by storm, meeting with over 30 Senators and Representatives on the House and Senate Budget Committees to let them know how important the President’s FY 2011 International Affairs Budget request is to our national security, economic growth, and standing in the world. From General Electric to World Vision, and Proctor & Gamble to CARE, the USGLC participants in these meetings demonstrated broad support from the business, NGO and faith-based communities for our civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy.
Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) spoke at a breakfast briefing for USGLC leaders, reiterating her own personal support for the budget saying it is “morally and economically the right thing to do to provide foreign aid.” While recognizing the challenges of this difficult budget year, Rep. Schwartz noted the International Affairs Budget is a wise investment because it provides resources to grow markets around the globe, strengthen economic ties with other nations, and ultimately create more job opportunities for Americans at home as we export more goods and services.
