Originally published on the CGS blog on February 18, 2011.
“I’m concerned that our interest and our challenge is incongruous with the essence of what we are trying to do here.” These words, spoken by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), marked the first sign of any contention in the first meeting of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Global Narcotics Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Menendez was referring to the issue of drug trafficking in Latin America and the affects of such trade on Latin American and U.S. citizen security. His concern was over the fact that the President’s proposed FY12 Budget decreases funding for counter-narcotics efforts and law enforcement by 7% in the region at a time when drug trafficking remains a major problem.
Sen. Menendez asked Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela, “how do we [cut funding] at a time when we are seeing still a very severe challenge?” And Sen. Menendez’s question is by no means exclusive to counter-narcotics efforts in Latin America. At a time when the Arab world is democratizing and Latin America is progressing democratically and economically the United States can play a critical role in international affairs…pending on adequate funding.
While the budget proposed by the white house, does increase funding for the Departments of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), it decreases funding for international organizations and peacekeeping missions. Even more alarming are the proposals by Republicans in the House and Senate which include harsh cuts to the international relations budget. Such cuts would hurt millions of people around the world, weaken America’s influence in global politics, and damage our reputation abroad.
Still speaking on the issue of counter-narcotics efforts, but intimating a broader philosophy on the budget, Sen. Menendez said, “When we move our budget in a different direction that is opposite to our challenge, we are not aligning ourselves in terms of our challenge, and that’s my concern. I hope that the administration is going to work with Congress to ensure that our resources meet our challenges.” And that is key at this moment in history when, despite a significant federal deficit, we need to fully fund essential programs. We cannot afford to ignore serious problems that need our attention and effort. Citizens for Global Solutions hopes that the White House and Congress understand this and do not drop the ball on international relations funding.
Sen. Menendez did not get reassuring responses from Secretary Valenzuela who dodged questions and at one point spoke of the work Europe and other international organizations are doing to solve problems. Sen. Menendez countered, “Coordinating and maximizing and leveraging our effort is fantastic, but I don’t want the security of communities [in the U.S.] to depend upon any of that effort. I want it to depend on our own.” Sen. Menendez is exactly right. We cannot afford to leave the work of solving international problems to other nations. We are the United States of America, and our security and well being as well as the security and well being of people across the world depend on our willingness and ability to act.
