OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Peace Corps

Statement

By: Ed Markey
By: Ed Markey
Date: Sept. 9, 2011
Issues: Foreign Aid

On August 18th, I had the pleasure of talking to several neighbors and past Peace Corps volunteers at the home of former State Senator David Magnani in Framingham regarding potential cuts to Peace Corps and other international aid programs.

Some lawmakers have proposed gutting the Peace Corps' budget by nearly half a billion dollars. However, over the last fifty years, it is clear that through the Peace Corps program we have helped millions abroad at a relatively low cost while simultaneously enhancing our national security.

The Peace Corps' funding is an example of the kind of values-based decisions that Congress will have to make this fall. Since the Peace Corps will be included in the larger defense and security budget, we will need to decide between more weaponry and more aid.

As The MetroWest Daily News reported: "[The Peace Corps'] entire mission in poverty-stricken Sierra Leone… costs the same as sending one soldier to Afghanistan."


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