Business Leaders

“…It’s nonsense to think we can balance the budget by ‘ending foreign aid.’ In fact, the International Affairs budget is just over one percent of the federal budget. The Chamber supports a robust International Affairs budget for the State Department and other agencies. It funds critical efforts to boost exports and jobs, protect our national security, and promote our humanitarian values.”
– Thomas J. Donahue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, February 21, 2011

“U.S. businesses understand that diplomacy and development assistance play vital roles in building economic prosperity, protecting our national security, and promoting America’s humanitarian values. The International Affairs Budget is critical to U.S. economic engagement with the world, especially at a time when there is a wide recognition of the need to boost U.S. exports to create American jobs.”
– U.S. Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Letter to Congress, March 29, 2011

“Looking at these issues as a businessman, I believe that investing in the world’s poorest people is the smartest way our government spends money.”
– Bill Gates; USGLC Dinner, February 2, 2011

“The investments we make today in the developing world will help create the jobs of tomorrow here in America. Right now, the tough choice is to maintain foreign assistance, not to cut it. Right now, the bold act of leadership is to defend spending on key international programs, not to attack it.”
– Bill Gates; USGLC Dinner, February 2, 2011

“Let me end by painting a blunt picture of what reduced U.S. contributions to the multilaterals would mean: lost American leadership, a steep reduction in U.S. leverage of scare resources, fewer economic opportunities for American companies, and an acceleration of Chinese influence.”
– James A. Harmon, Chairman of Caravel Management, LLC, Past-President and CEO, Export-Import Bank of the United States; in a hearing, July 27, 2011

“Given the fact that MDBs focus more on middle- and low-income countries and not the United States, the temptation of some might be to cut back on our contributions and to refocus those resources elsewhere. And yet such a decision would be extremely short-sighted, in my judgment, because it would negatively impact job creation at the very time when we’re trying to rebuild our economy.”
– Robert Mosbacher Jr., Chairman of Mosbacher Energy Company, Past-President and CEO, Overseas Private Investment Corporation; in a hearing, July 27, 2011

“The world is getting to be a smaller place every day, and from an economic perspective, what happens in one country has ripple effects throughout the world. Funding from the International Affairs Budget, which is just 1 percent of the federal budget, helps to strengthen the economies of developing nations around the world.”
– Chris Policinski, CEO of Land O’Lakes; USGLC Interview

“As a business person, I understand the value of an investment – and the importance of getting a good return on your dollar. And that’s what we get when we fund our diplomatic efforts and international programs. Yes, it means needed humanitarian relief. Yes, it means more security for the American people in these troubled times. But from years of our company’s experience, it also means jobs right here at home.”
– James W. Owens, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar

“As the leading member of the global economy, our companies continue to play key roles in markets and countries throughout the world. As more and more U.S. companies become involved in international trade, America’s access to and leadership in foreign markets becomes more critical.
– Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

“Joining the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign supports our efforts in pursuing and promoting a legislative agenda that positively affects our nation’s business community.”
– Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

“While the economic benefits may be obvious, effective development around the world yields significant political and security benefits for America as well. We agree with Defense Secretary Robert Gates who said of the global war on terrorism, ‘We cannot kill or capture our way to victory’ and instead must invest in political and economic efforts to strengthen the friends of freedom and neutralize those who wish our country ill.”
– Chris Policinski, CEO of Land O’ Lakes; Roll Call Op-Ed, June 30, 2010