Long Term Effects Concerning for National Interests

Washington, DC — The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition released this statement from Executive Director Liz Schrayer on the Fiscal Year 2012 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill:

“When you look at the final FY12 International Affairs Budget, it is a mixed bag. In the short-term, we are pleased the agreement avoids the deep and disproportionate cuts to these programs from earlier versions of the bill and welcome the bipartisan recognition of the importance of development and diplomacy. However, in the long-run, the cuts to funding for non-war related program is of grave concern given the challenges and turbulence in the world today.”

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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