Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s proposal to drastically slash international affairs funding—endangering Americans’ safety, economic security, and global standing:

“President Trump’s extreme plan to gut diplomacy and foreign assistance isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s reckless and short-sighted. It will raise costs for American families, fuel global instability, and weaken our leadership in the world. Foreign assistance—less than one percent of our federal budget—prevents deadly diseases from reaching our shores, creates markets for American businesses, and helps keep our troops out of costly conflicts by addressing the root causes of violence and extremism. Meanwhile, China and other adversaries are ready to step in and fill the void we would leave behind.

Instead of rubber-stamping these dangerous cuts, Congress must work in a bipartisan, responsible way to pass a budget that reflects our values, protects our national interests, and strengthens our global leadership,”  said Rep. Frankel.

Rep. Frankel is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which oversees funding for the State Department and foreign assistance.

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