July 6, 2020

USGLC CEO on Release of House FY21 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition President and CEO, Liz Schrayer, issued the following statement on the release of the House Appropriations Committee’s FY21 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill:

We welcome the Committee’s recognition of the ever-growing global challenges facing America and its continued commitment to our nation’s development, diplomacy, and global health programs. It’s the right step forward to increase annual funding and address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with $10 billion in emergency funding for the international response in next year’s spending bill.

At the same time, it is imperative that we not lose sight of the rapidly escalating threats from COVID-19 that are devastating the developing world. With each passing day, much is at risk – not only from the humanitarian toll – but for the health, security, and economic recovery here at home.

We therefore urge Congress to continue to prioritize both immediate and longer-term needs when funding the U.S. global response to COVID-19, including urgently needed emergency resources in the next FY20 supplemental while also looking ahead to FY21. Only then can we help prevent a further rebound of the virus to our shores and protect the health and security of all Americans.

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.