WASHINGTON – The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s President and CEO Liz Schrayer released the following statement on the guidance released by the Senate Appropriations Committee for the FY18 State-Foreign Operations spending bill:

In a strong statement of support for America’s global leadership, the Senate today proposed funding levels for America’s civilian forces that clearly recognize the growing challenges we face overseas.

In doing so, these bipartisan congressional leaders are not only rejecting the Administration’s proposed draconian cuts to our nation’s development and diplomacy programs, but are joining a powerful chorus of voices of military, business and faith leaders. Given the range of global threats from four famines to North Korea to unrest in the Middle East, there is a clear consensus that now is not the time to retreat from the world.

The USGLC commends Appropriations Committee leaders Senators Thad Cochran, Patrick Leahy, and Lindsey Graham for their commitment to America’s global leadership. As the House and Senate negotiate the final funding levels for the International Affairs Budget, Congress should follow the leadership of the Senate.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.