Senate Approves Feinstein Resolution to Increase Foreign Aid Spending by 25 Percent a Year

Senate Approves Feinstein Resolution to Increase
Foreign Aid Spending by 25 Percent a Year
June 4, 2002

Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) calling for an increase in U.S. foreign aid spending by at least 25 percent each year over the next 5 years to help alleviate poverty around the globe. Currently, United States foreign assistance spending makes up just eight-tenths of 1 percent of the federal budget.

"As the United States fights this war against terrorism -- and puts in place the programs called for in this emergency supplemental for homeland defense and on-going military operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere -- we can't overlook the fact that global poverty is a contributing factor and a breeding ground for terrorism, and that if we are to be successful in this war the United States must significantly increase its foreign assistance spending commitments," Senator Feinstein said.

Specially, the resolution expresses the Sense of the Senate that:

Widespread poverty in developing countries contributes to instability and violence which can lead to failed states and foment terrorist activity;

Assistance programs must be robust enough to effectively address development needs;

The United States increase spending by at least 25 percent a year over the next 5 years with the goal of reaching an amount equal to or exceeding 3 percent of the Federal budget by 2010.

The Adminstrator of USAID should conduct a thorough evalution of current foreign assistance efforts and submit a report to Congress describing the findings and recommendations within six months.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the days and years ahead to address this important issue and to assure that U.S. foreign assistance spending levels are appropriate to the challenges that our nation faces and our leadership position in the international community," Senator Feinstein said.

The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), James Jeffords (I-Vermont), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).

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