Albright, Kissinger, Powell, Rice and Shultz stand behind U.S. global leadership

Washington, D.C. — Five former Secretaries of State, representing both Republican and Democratic Administrations, called on Members of Congress to support America’s engagement in the world by protecting the International Affairs Budget from additional deep and disproportionate cuts.

Former Secretaries Madeleine K. Albright, Henry A. Kissinger, Colin L. Powell,  Condoleezza Rice and George P. Shultz wrote, “Now is not the time for America to retreat from the world, which is why we need a strong and effective International Affairs Budget. This is one area where leaders of both parties can find common ground and come together to ensure a better, safer world and a more prosperous future.”

“These are five of the most respected national security and foreign policy experts in our country, and I hope Members of Congress heed their call to not impose another round of deep cuts to the International Affairs Budget,” said USGLC Executive Director Liz Schrayer. “Americans want us to be a leader in the world, and shrinking back at this critical moment would diminish our security, competiveness and basic values.”

Although the International Affairs Budget makes up only 1.4 percent of the overall federal budget, it shouldered nearly 20 percent of the total cuts to FY11 discretionary spending.  With dangerous additional cuts set to be voted on by the Senate this week, the International Affairs Budget could see the steepest cuts since the height of the Cold War.

Click here or see below to read the Secretaries’ full letter.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. 

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