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Members of Congress are speaking out against President Trump’s plan to slash foreign assistance.

Members of Congress are beginning react to yesterday’s announcement that President Trump wants to increase the military budget while slashing the State Department’s budget. Today, we are learning that the Trump plan intends to decrease State Department funding by a whopping 37%.

The good news is that there is bipartisan outcry in Congress against the administration’s slash and burn approach to cutting the federal budget. Here’s a sample of what Senators have been saying today.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - “It’s dead on arrival, it’s not going to happen, it would be a disaster,” Graham said Tuesday. “This budget destroys soft power, it puts our diplomats at risk and it’s going nowhere.” -

Sen. Leahy (D-VT)

Yesterday, FCNL sent out a press release stating, “At a time when the United States is facing multiple foreign policy crises, cutting the State Department budget means that there is one less tool in our foreign policy toolbox. Diplomatic and development efforts that are fulfilled by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development are critical in efforts to prevent and reduce violence, uphold human rights and support democratic governance. These are all critical functions that will ultimately reduce spending, protect U.S. national security and save lives.”

Send a message to your representative and senators urging them to fund the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Theo Sitther

Theo Sitther

Consultant, Advocacy Teams Trainer

As an Advocacy Team Trainer, Theo provides teams with extra support to be strong communities and advocates.