WASHINGTON – Liz Schrayer, President and CEO of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), released the following statement on the Administration’s use of a “pocket rescission” to cancel nearly $5 billion in international assistance funding:

The Administration’s decision to employ a “pocket rescission” to cancel $5 billion in Congressionally approved international assistance represents a dangerous precedent that undermines both our national security and America’s global competitiveness, not to mention the legal and procedural questions raised by legislators from both sides of the aisle.

This action piles on to the nearly $8 billion in international assistance resources rescinded earlier this summer, billions more in critical international assistance funds at risk of expiring on September 30 without further action by the Administration, and deep proposed cuts to next year’s budget. Combined, these cuts will dramatically impact America’s ability to compete and win.

This is not the time for America to pull back on the global stage. This weekend’s Putin-Modi-Xi summit sent a clear signal that our rivals are eager to fill power vacuums. As just one example, China recently launched construction of a $2.15 billion cross-border railway project in East Africa and is on track to drive their exports to Africa toward $200 billion for the first time this year. Further funding cuts would only enhance our competitors’ advantages.

These resources should be used, not lost – deployed strategically to counter our rivals, avoid costly wars, and maintain America’s global economic competitiveness.

In a world where our rivals are playing to win, America cannot afford to disarm itself of the civilian tools that complement our military strength and advance our interests around the globe. Congress should oppose this unilateral effort to cancel spending and instead work through the regular appropriations process to strategically align funding with American interests.

###