Quaker Lobby Urges Increased Foreign Aid Funding, Not More Cuts

Washington, DC - The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), along with 63 other organizations, wrote the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership urging them to reject the recently passed House cuts to peacebuilding, human rights, humanitarian aid, migration, climate adaptation, and poverty-focused development assistance in the proposed FY25 appropriations. The cuts undermine the United States' legacy of compassionate aid and international leadership.

Contact Tim McHugh: [email protected], 202-903-2515

The 64 organizations, which share a commitment to promoting peace, advancing human rights, and supporting human dignity, expressed their grave concern over the cuts included in the House-passed State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) appropriations bill (H.R. 8771). In their letter, they urge the Senate appropriators to reaffirm leadership on the global stage with robust funding that prioritizes programs which prevent and ameliorate international crises and human suffering while protecting people and the planet.

"The House foreign assistance bill is a dangerous proposal that abandons the world's most vulnerable people. We know that today's crises are intersecting and compounding - we must do more to invest in efforts to alleviate climate impacts, violent conflict, poverty, and displacement. Grounded in the Quaker belief that there is that of God in every person, FCNL urges Congress to prioritize funding a full spectrum of life-sustaining programs and resources." Ursala Knudsen-Latta, FCNL legislative director for peacebuilding.

Other organizations who signed the letter also said:

"As Franciscans, we are always in solidarity with the marginalized and the earth, and therefore we ask the government of the United States to play its rightful role in the world to promote peace, justice, the integrity of creation, and human flourishing. Playing that role includes being willing to contribute fairly and generously to support nonviolent resolution of differences, relief for those suffering harms from climate change or wars, and help for people forced to migrate. We humbly ask our representatives in the US Congress to maintain needed spending levels on peacebuilding, poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation, and the United Nations in the FY25 SFOPs appropriation bill." Michele Dunne, OFS, executive director, Franciscan Action Network

"Perhaps it's no accident that water is the only symbol shared by every world religion. Access to safe water is the foundation for food security and childhood nutrition, good health and disease prevention, poverty-reduction-even peace-and much more. Let us not be short-sighted when it comes to something as fundamental as access to safe water for all." Susan Barnett, co-founder, Faiths for Safe Water

"As an operational peacebuilding organization, we've seen firsthand how tools like the Complex Crises Fund and UN Peacebuilding Fund can help prevent and end conflicts. These funds help frontline peacebuilders on the ground prevent violence before it starts, protect vulnerable people, and start the long work of ending chronic crises." Habibou Bako, West Africa policy officer, Search for Common Ground, based in Bamako, Mali

To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.

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