March 12, 2008
In response, Senate champions have been feverishly working to craft amendments to increase funding. Earlier this week, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Sununu (R-NH), Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) submitted an amendment to increase funding for the International Affairs Budget by $2.6 billion. These six Senators have withdrawn their amendment and are now co-sponsoring the higher Biden-Lugar Amendment, which already has a number of bipartisan co-sponsors. The USGLC applauds the Senate sponsors of both amendments for their exemplary efforts in fighting to restore essential funding for the International Affairs Budget. The USGLC is vigorously urging Senators to support the Biden-Lugar Amendment and oppose all cutting amendments to the FY09 International Affairs Budget.