WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2017) – According to numerous news reports released earlier today, the Trump administration is proposing deep and disproportionate cuts to critical foreign assistance programs as part of its preliminary budget proposals. CARE is deeply concerned by such proposals as these programs save millions of lives, represent the face of America abroad, and help to support a safer world.
Life-saving foreign assistance funding represents less than one percent of the federal budget; just one cent of the budget dollar. These low-cost programs save millions of lives every year, address the root causes of poverty, decrease dependency, and build stronger, more resilient societies. Beyond saving countless lives, foreign assistance benefits our own nation’s security by alleviating suffering and decreasing poverty to create a more prosperous and safe world for everyone.
Republican and Democratic administrations alike have long agreed that targeted foreign assistance is not only the morally right thing to do but also in the U.S. national interest. Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis testified before Congress in 2013, “if you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.”
“Make no mistake,” says Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE, “history has shown us that deep and disproportionate cuts to this critical one percent of the budget means diminished American leadership in fighting poverty and humanitarian response. Such cuts make the U.S. less secure and prosperous, and put innocent people at risk. We ask that the administration rethink these proposals and we call on Congress to develop a budget that protects lives, supports our national security, and maintains our nation’s leadership in the world.”
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ABOUT CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in 94 countries and reached more than 80 million people around the world. To learn more, please visit www.care.org.
Media Contacts: Nicole Ellis, +1-202-560-1791, nicole.ellis@care.org; and Nicole Harris, nharris@care.org.