As global crises continue to impact Americans from the grocery store to the gas pump, we applaud this smart and thoughtful proposal to strengthen international affairs funding in order to advance the health, security, and economic interests of all American families.  

If enacted, this funding is an important step in the right direction at a time when global threats are spiraling – from Russia’s war on Ukraine to catastrophic food insecurity, to an unprecedented refugee crisis while a global pandemic continues to upend lives.   

Americans can’t afford for Congress to shortchange global response funding for second year in a row – especially after the final FY22 spending deal fell far short of what was truly needed – and challenges have only grown since.  

It’s critical that Congress steps up to meet this moment. This message was echoed by hundreds of state leaders from across America — farmers, business, veteran, humanitarian, and faith leaders — who came to DC last week to tell their Members of Congress why strengthening diplomacy and development programs matters to their communities.  

As the FY23 appropriations process moves forward, this proposed level must be the floor in negotiations.  

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