Originally published on the CGS blog on August 4, 2011.
In this difficult economic climate, there are days when trying to convince members of Congress of the value of international affairs funding can feel like an uphill struggle-to say the least. That’s why, when a leader emerges to state the case for America staying engaged with the world and adequately funding our foreign affairs budget, it is very much appreciated by those of us who work toward this goal every day. On that note, I would like to heartily thank Senator John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for his eloquent explanation of why strong funding for the international affairs budget remains critical, and how it benefits America.
On August 3rd, Senator Kerry published an op-ed in the Washington Post laying out the importance of robust funding for international affairs. He stated that:
“Energetic global leadership is a strategic imperative for America, not a favor we do for other countries. It amplifies America’s voice and extends our reach. In a world growing more not less interdependent, slashing foreign aid and development investments is a formula for isolation and shrinking influence. America can’t opt out of a networked world.”
This basically sums up the view and mission of Citizens for Global Solutions. We do the work that we do because we believe that our planet is interconnected and no one nation, not even America, can or should solve all of the world’s problems alone. Investing and staying engaged in international institutions such as the United Nations, for example, reaps great dividends for the U.S.
Senator Kerry also puts foreign affairs funding into proper perspective, pointing out that,
“…All of our foreign aid programs and foreign policy initiatives- from sending diplomats to Afghanistan to helping reverse the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa-barely make up 1 percent of the annual budget. It is a relatively small investment for such a great return. This year alone we will spend approximately $700 billion on our military. The entire international affairs budget is less than one-tenth of that. As former Secretary Gates once pointed out, if you took the entire Foreign Service roster, you could barely staff one aircraft carrier.”
That’s right: approximately 1 percent of the entire U.S. budget funds international affairs. And as Senator Kerry notes, the return on our investment is enormous. For example, for every $1 the U.S. provides to the United Nations, we get a return of $1.50. The funding we provide for U.N. peacekeeping missions in places such as Haiti, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo not only helps prevent the outbreak of violence in troubled areas around the globe, but can help avoid the need for more costly U.S. military intervention. A recent GAO study found that funding a U.N. peacekeeping mission is eight times cheaper than fielding a comparable U.S. mission.
In short, the international affairs budget is a small investment which pays off in big ways. Thank you, Senator Kerry, for speaking out in support of funding America’s engagement with the world.
Click here to read Senator Kerry’s complete op-ed.
