Sen. John Kerry

Rep. Howard Berman

Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congressman Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently released statements in response to the Senate Budget Committee’s decision to cut the International Affairs Budget by more than $4 billion. Senator Kerry said, “The international affairs account is a smart, cost-effective investment that should be funded appropriately. Short-changing these programs delivers very little budget relief at enormous cost to our global efforts and America’s leadership in the world.” Congressman Berman said, “The notion that this budget would have no impact on our national security funding is simply misleading…diplomacy and development are essential components to our national security strategy.”

The two chairmen join more than 140 other Members of Congress, 50 retired military leaders, and Secretaries Robert Gates and Hillary Clinton in support of fully funding President Obama’s $58.5 billion International Affairs Budget request.

Photo Credits: Center for American Progress