WASHINGTON – The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) President and CEO Liz Schrayer released the following statement on the bipartisan debt ceiling and spending agreement:

“This bipartisan deal is certainly good news when it comes to America’s standing in the world, as there is no question that a default would have had a profound impact on our economic and security interests at a time of global instability.

As Congress and the Administration now turn their attention to the FY24 appropriations process, it is imperative we recognize that the global threats facing America have not lessened since USGLC called to strengthen funding for the International Affairs Budget earlier this year – in fact, they have grown. As our nation’s top military leaders have testified before Congress in recent weeks, now is not the time to shortchange investments in our civilian development and diplomacy tools.

Given both of these realities – escalating global threats and a bipartisan spending deal that caps overall spending for FY24 – we urge policymakers to fund the International Affairs Budget at no less than current levels as the absolute floor, ensuring America has critical resources to address growing competition from China, among other essential investments, while also being ready to respond to unprecedented emergency needs, whether from Russia’s war on Ukraine to the historic food crisis.”