WASHINGTON (May 4, 2017) – CARE applauds Congress today for passing the final FY17 spending bill, demonstrating an important commitment to foreign assistance programs that combat poverty and save lives around the globe. Specifically, the final FY17 spending bill provides an urgently needed increase in development assistance, as well as $990 million for critical famine relief in Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia, where 20 million lives are at stake. The bill also provides an additional $1.7 billion for food aid.
“At a time when our world is facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges, CARE is pleased to see strong bipartisan support for foreign assistance,” said Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE. “This year’s budget and commitment to foreign assistance provides both hope and lifesaving relief to the people we serve around the world.”
The final FY17 spending bill also protects valuable funding for women and girls globally, including support for a multi-year strategy to address gender-based violence. The leadership demonstrated by Congress today encapsulates our true American values and the legacy of bipartisan leadership CARE has witnessed over the past seven decades. We applaud Congress for exercising their oversight authorities around any potential reorganization plans for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, as each agency has distinct expertise and a critical role in foreign policy and development assistance.
“Given the strong bipartisan support demonstrated in the final FY17 spending bill, CARE is hopeful that the president will revise his FY18 budget proposal to reinforce the importance of U.S. leadership and our commitment to foreign assistance,” said Nunn. This investment represents roughly one percent of the federal budget, yet it benefits our own national security, saves millions of lives every year and addresses the root causes of poverty. CARE urges Congress to be fully engaged in their oversight authorities and to urge the Trump Administration to rethink its damaging proposal in the FY18 budget.
About CARE:
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in 94 countries and reached more than 80 million people around the world. To learn more, please visit www.care.org.
Media Contacts:
Nicole Ellis, +1-202-560-1791, nicole.ellis@care.org