Capitol Hill Hullabaloo

Congress is in a very critical and busy period this week on advocacy related to Peace Corps funding and the MorePeaceCorps Campaign.  Please be on the lookout for updates in both the House and Senate, forward those actions to others you know, and continue to take action. 

Look for updates throughout the day via the MorePeaceCorps Campaign and Peace Corps Connect

Below is the next action that requires your attention.

Oppose House Cutting Amendments to Peace Corps, International Affairs

The House of Representatives is preparing to take final action on an appropriations bill (H.R.3081) which covers the State Department, Foreign Operations and Related Programs.( For a summary of this funding read the document provided by the US Global Leadership Campaign.)  This bill includes a recommendation of $450 million for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2010.

Update

Last night the House Rules Committee finalized plans for  debate on the bill.  While several threatening amendments were removed two still remain.

• Peace Corps Reduction:  An amendment by Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns would reduce the amount appropriated in H.R. 3081 for the Peace Corps by $76.5 million, to match the President's request of approximately $373.5 million.
• 5% Reduction in Discretionary Funding: An amendment by Georgia Congressman Paul Broun would reduce discretionary funding in the bill by 5% (likely impacting a variety of overseas development and assistance programs, including - possibly - Peace Corps).
  

Follow this link for a summary of last night's decisions by the Rules Committee.

Take Action with Your Congressman/woman!

(this is an action only for the U.S. House of Representatives)

 

1. Connect to the office of your Congressman/woman using this toll-free number:  877-851-6437.  If you want to send an email follow this link.

2. Send this message: "As the House takes up H.R. 3081, the State/Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, I strongly urge you to oppose the Stearns amendment to reduce funding for the Peace Corps.  I also urge you to oppose the Broun amendement to reduce funding for our nation's foreign assistance programs." 

Not sure who your Congressman/woman is?  Go to www.house.gov and go to the "Find Your Representative" section in the upper left-hand corner.

 The Peace Corps Appropriations Bill in the Senate

This afternoon, the full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up its version of the State/Foreign Operations bill.  We continue to ask that senators champion a $450 million Peace Corps appropriation for fiscal year 2010.

Take Action with Your Senator!

Go here to find out what actions you can take with your senator.