InterAction Urges Senate to Oppose Sandy Amendment

The U.S. Senate this week is considering an amendment to a proposed spending bill for Hurricane Sandy relief that would cut $9 billion from key international development accounts, or nearly one-third of the annual budget to fight global poverty.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) this week offered the amendment, which would offset the cost of the Supplemental Appropriations Act by cutting foreign assistance funding. InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based NGOs, is urging senators to oppose what it is calling a “misguided and destructive amendment.”

"While we understand the serious budget problems facing our country, it would be a tragedy to address that by cutting aid for the world's poorest and most vulnerable," InterAction President and CEO Sam Worthington said in a letter to senators. "While it is true that charity begins at home, it must not end there. If we abandon the world's poor and turn inwards, we abandon our own national interests and our values as Americans."

InterAction is urging voters to contact their senators. The following senators have been identified as key senators to appeal to on the amendment: Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-ID), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

In September 2011, Sen. Paul offered a similar amendment, which was defeated 20-78.