A Response from Johnny Isakson

Dear Mrs. Ferdjani: 

Thank you for contacting me regarding the federal funding for international affairs. I appreciate hearing from you and appreciate the opportunity to respond.  I traveled to West Africa in May, 2011, and visited Benin.  I had several productive meetings with government officials, including President Yayi.  It is a beautiful place, and I am thankful for hospitality I was shown there. 

Throughout my service in the U.S. Senate, I have consistently supported effective federal funding for meritorious international programs that strengthen our national security, foster economic and political stability globally, bolster our allies, and fight the spread of disease, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. On December 7, 2009, I joined 57 of my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama requesting that his FY2011 budget proposal include funding for international affairs. On July 29, 2010, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S.3676, the FY2011 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. This legislation would provide more than $54 billion, which is about $2 billion less than President Obama requested for FY2011, but over $5 billion more than the FY2010 enacted funding level. S.3676 expired at the conclusion of the 111th Congress and it will have to be reintroduced during the current 112th Congress. 

On April 14, 2011, I voted for H.R. 1473, the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. This compromise legislation provides $48.3 billion for international affairs, which is an 11 percent decrease from the Fiscal Year 2010 level. H.R. 1473 passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it was signed into law by President Obama on April 15, 2011. 

While I understand the importance of international assistance programs, I also am very aware that the federal government must be a better steward of your tax dollars. With the increasing deficits and ballooning national debt, every federal program must be scrutinized for wasteful spending. As we discuss the budget for Fiscal Year 2012, I will work to ensure that the United States invests in only the most effective programs, both domestically and abroad. I will work with my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to shape a fiscally responsible international assistance budget. Rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I work on issues related to foreign assistance. 

Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

For future correspondence with my office, please visit my web site at http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm. You can also click here to sign up for the eNewsletter

An Answer from Representative John Lewis

Dear Mrs. Ferdjani:

 

Thank you for contacting me about international food aid programs. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.

 

I believe the United States has a responsibility to help the impoverished people of the world.  I have consistently supported increases in funding for child survival and health, economic support funds, global HIV/ AIDS assistance, and national service programs like the Peace Corps.  Additionally, I have co-sponsored measures which directed the President to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote the reduction of global poverty and achieve of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of cutting in half the number of people worldwide who live on less than $1 per day.

 

As the great beacon of hope and opportunity around the world, the United States should be at the forefront of international aid.  Non-Military Foreign Aid accounts for less than one percent of the US Budget, yet Republican leaders in Congress insist on attacking it.  Helping countries that find themselves in crisis should be a priority of ours and it shows the generosity and compassion of our great country. 

 

Again, thank you for contacting me about this issue.  Please know that I will keep your comments in mind, and I will support initiatives for famine and disaster relief worldwide.  I hope you will continue to contact me on issues of importance to you and please visit my website, www.house.gov/johnlewis for more information on legislation that interests you.

 

Sincerely,
 
John Lewis
Member of Congress