An Emerging Consensus
Here’s something that everyone can agree on for a change! A “Dear Colleague” Letter calling on Members of Congress to urge President Obama to request a robust International Affairs Budget is circulating on Capitol Hill and has already received over 110 signatures. Republicans, Democrats, Senators, Representatives, Southerners, East Coasters, West Coasters, Midwesterners—all have coalesced around the idea that development and diplomacy are underfunded. None of this suggests the Letter calls for a reduction in the defense budget—far from it. Rather, investments in development and diplomacy are seen as investments that have both humanitarian and national security benefits. By providing people around the world with more opportunity, we are protecting our own economic and national security here at home. It’s smart. And it’s the right thing to do.
