Washington, D.C. —U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) board members William Lane, Washington Director of Caterpillar Inc., and John Murphy, Vice President for Internationals Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, today appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, International Environmental Protection and Peace Corps to underscore the U.S. business community’s support for a robust International Affairs Budget.

“In a ferociously competitive international business climate, the U.S. government’s International Affairs Budget is one of the most cost-effective instruments to provide a vital link between America’s businesses and workers and some of the fastest-growing overseas markets,” said Lane.  “In this environment the U.S. cannot unilaterally disarm economically, leaving our business at a competitive disadvantage.”

“This is about jobs, American jobs.  If we are going to grow our economy, we have to go where the consumers are and 95% of the consumers live outside the U.S.  Investments in economic development are just smart business,” said Murphy.  “At stake is the standing of the United States as the world’s leading power, our ability to exert positive influence around the world, our reputation and brand overseas, and our best hopes for escaping high unemployment.”

Programs funded by the International Affairs Budget open new markets for American goods and services, and support American small businesses as they work to export their products overseas. Currently, one in five American jobs depends on exports, and the fastest-growing markets anywhere are in the developing world.  Overseas markets represent 95 percent of the world’s consumers, 92 percent of its economic growth, and 80 percent of the world’s purchasing power. Reaching those new markets through international affairs programs is essential to American competitiveness and job creation.

The full testimonies of William Lane and John Murphy are available online, and additional information on how the International Affairs Budget is a strategic investment for U.S. jobs is available here.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. 

 

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