December 14, 2004

 

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Mr. President ,

 

We are writing to express strong, bipartisan support for a robust increase in the FY06 150 International Affairs Budget as an essential investment in America’s fight against terrorism and efforts to build global stability through promoting economic prosperity and expressing the compassion of the American people for those in need around the world.

 

Along with a range of intelligence and law enforcement reforms, the bipartisan 9/11Commission strongly endorsed investments in the International Affairs Budget as vital to protecting America and an inseparable priority from funding homeland defense. In the final report, they wrote, “long-term success demands the use of all elements of national power: diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, public diplomacy and homeland defense.”

 

“Terrorism is not caused by poverty,” the 9/11 Commission wrote. “Yet when people lose hope, when societies break down, when countries fragment, the breeding grounds for terrorism are created.”  The International Affairs Budget incorporates the full range of diplomatic tools and international programs that are critical in helping to stabilize the world and promote our national interests. Whether it is protecting our national security, spurring economic growth or supporting humanitarian efforts, the International Affairs Budget is working for America. 

 

By investing in people, strengthening economic opportunity, enhancing democracies, responding to global challenges such as infectious diseases, hunger, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and maternal and child health, the 150 account is critical to creating a safer world.  Export promotion programs, commercial diplomacy, good governance and anti-corruption programs open markets for U.S. businesses and create jobs here at home.  Vigorous public diplomacy efforts, secure embassies, capable telecommunications, and vibrant international exchange and education programs are vital to delivering America’s messages of freedom and democracy around the globe. 

 

We are more convinced than ever that America must remain engaged in the world and utilize all of the tools and resources that strengthen U.S. national interests -- including the International Affairs Budget.   As you prepare the FY06 Federal Budget, we urge you to support substantially increased funding for international affairs programs.

      

Sincerely,

 

1. Berman (D-CA)
2. Leach (R-IA)
3. Abercrombie (D-HI)
4. Ackerman (D-NY)
5. Allen (D-ME)
6. Baird (D-WA)
7. Baldwin (D-WI)
8. Bass (R-NH)
9. Berkley (D-NV)
10. Biggert (R-IL)
11. Blumenauer (D-OR)
12. Boehlert (R-NY)
13. Boswell (D-IA)
14. Brown (D-OH)
15. Capps (D-CA)
16. Cardin (D-MD)
17. Chandler (D-KY)
18. Crowley (D-NY)
19. Davis (D-IL)
20. Davis (D-FL)
21. Davis (D-CA)
22. Delahunt (D-MA)
23. DeLauro (D-CT)
24. Deutsch (D-FL)
25. Dicks (D-WA)
26. Dreier (R-CA)
27. Emanuel (D-IL)
28. Engel (D-NY)
29. English (R-PA)
30. Etheridge (D-NC)
31. Farr (D-CA)
32. Fattah (D-PA)
33. Filner (D-CA)
34. Frank (D-MA)
35. Gordon (D-TN)
36. Green (D-TX)
37. Greenwood (R-PA)
38. Hinchey (D-NY)
39. Honda (D-CA)
40. Hoyer (D-MD)
41. Inslee (D-WA)
42. Isakson (R-GA)
43. Jackson (D-IL)
44. Jefferson (D-LA)
45. Johnson (R-CT)
46. Johnson (R-IL)
47. Kaptur (D-OH)
48. Kennedy (R-MN)
49. Kennedy (D-RI)
50. Kildee (D-MI)
51. Kirk (R-IL)
52. Knollenberg (R-MI)
53. LaHood (R-IL)
54. Lampson (D-TX)
55. Langevin (D-RI)
56. Lantos (D-CA)
57. Larsen (D-WA)
58. Larson (D-CT)
59. LaTourette (R-OH)
60. Lee (D-CA)
61. Levin (D-MI)
62. Lewis (R-CA)
63. Lewis (D-GA)
64. Lofgren (D-CA)
65. Lowey (D-NY)
66. Lynch (D-MA)
67. Maloney (D-NY)
68. Manzullo (R-IL)
69. Matsui (D-CA)
70. McCollum (D-MN)
71. McDermott (D-WA)
72. McGovern (D-MA)
73. Meeks (D-NY)
74. Menendez (D-NJ)
75. Millender-McDonald (D-CA)
76. Miller (D-CA)
77. Moran (D-VA)
78. Nadler (D-NY)
79. Oberstar (D-MN)
80. Owens (D-NY)
81. Pallone (D-NJ)
82. Payne (D-NJ)
83. Pelosi (D-CA)
84. Pomeroy (D-ND)
85. Price (D-NC)
86. Rothman (D-NJ)
87. Rush (D-IL)
88. Sanchez (D-CA)
89. Schakowsky (D-IL)
90. Schiff (D-CA)
91. Serrano (D-NY)
92. Shays (R-CT)
93. Sherman (D-CA)
94. Shimkus (R-IL)
95. Simmons (R-CT)
96. Slaughter (D-NY)
97. Smith (D-WA)
98. Smith (R-NJ)
99. Snyder (D-AR)
100. Solis (D-CA)
101. Stupak (D-MI)
102. Tauscher (D-CA)
103. Tierney (D-MA)
104. Tubbs Jones (D-OH)
105. Udall (D-CO)
106. Udall (D-NM)
107. Van Hollen (D-MD)
108. Waters (D-CA)
109. Waxman (D-CA)
110. Weller (R-IL)
111. Wexler (D-FL)
112. Woolsey (D-CA)