Senators Feinstein, Smith, DeWine and Durbin Lead a Coalition of Senators Urging President Bush to Increase U.S. Foreign Assistance

Senators Feinstein, Smith, DeWine and Durbin Lead a
Coalition of Senators Urging President Bush
to Increase U.S. Foreign Assistance
October 23, 2002
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Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and a coalition of 35 other Senators today urged President George Bush to increase funding for international affairs programs as part of our fight against the spread of terrorism.

In a letter to President Bush, the Senators wrote: "We are writing to express strong, bipartisan support for a robust increase in the FY04 International Affairs Budget as a key complement to our military and intelligence capabilities in the battle against terrorism and the effort to build global stability.

Earlier this year, before traveling to the Monterrey, Mexico summit, you announced a bold and significant initiative committing the United States to increase its international assistance by $5 billion over three years.

We believe that now is the time to act on this initiative and begin to restore the overall International Affairs Budget to the high water mark of the Reagan years - almost 30 percent higher in real terms than we are spending today.

The challenges we face today as a nation are no less daunting than those we confronted during the Cold War.

Totaling just one percent of the federal spending, the International Affairs Budget strengthens our national security in assisting the formation of international coalitions, combating weapons of mass destruction, and helping people build a future - all of which will be an integral part of the fight against global terrorism.

The 150 Account builds markets for U.S. exports through funding embassies and export promotion programs that boost our nation's goods and services around the world.

And at a time when global stability is vital to our interests, this Account gives us the tools to provide assistance to those in need, strengthen democracies, and respond to global challenges such as infectious diseases, hunger, illiteracy, and maternal and child health.

As you said during your March 14, 2002 address: 'The advance of development is a central commitment of American foreign policy . We work for prosperity and opportunity because they're right. It's the right thing to do. We also work for prosperity and opportunity because they help defeat terror.'

We are more convinced than ever that America must remain engaged in the world and utilize all of the tools and resources it needs to strengthen U.S. national interests - including the International Affairs Budget.

As you begin to prepare the FY04 Federal Budget, we urge you to support substantially increased funding for international affairs programs. These vital programs will play a central role in the conduct of this nation's campaign against global terrorism and protection of our long-term security and prosperity."

The letter was also signed by Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Breaux (D-LA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Bob Graham (D-FL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), James Jeffords (I-VT), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Herbert Kohl (D-WI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), Paul Wellstone (D-MN), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).