Foreign aid at risk as US Congress faces deficit

[UpInArms]

http://www.forbes.com/markets/newswire/2004/03/23/rtr1309415.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. aid to poor countries is at risk as Congress looks for ways to keep election-year spending under control and reduce the record budget deficit, lawmakers said Tuesday.

President Bush's flagship foreign assistance program, the Millennium Challenge Account, and the global AIDS fund are possible targets.

Foreign aid advocates -- already complaining that Bush's fiscal 2005 budget contained less money than promised -- are worried that Congress could scale it back even further.

"There's not enough money (for foreign aid)," said Ted Stevens, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which writes legislation to allocate federal money.

...more...

Ooops!

[RC]

1. Ah, how long till we don't have enough money to wage war?

How are we going to get the National treasury back from Halliburton?

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. *ahem* - I might not be seeing correctly from Up here in Canukistan

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But it appears to me that the LAST thing in the budget that would be cut back would be anything that would affect the Administration's ability to wage war.

Without war, what are they to do?

. . :shrug: . .

[Voltaire99]

2. LOL! 0.11 percent of GDP!

One tenth of one percent, and it's "at risk," eh? That's rich.

Nearly one third of this is military credits to Israel, anyway. Something tells me no corners will be shaved there.

[Sugarbleus]

3. Foreign Aid? How 'bout some domestic aid first!?

Get us on our feet first, then we can turn our attention to the world's needs. Where are the other world "aid" participants in all this?

[Eye and Monkey]

4. the rest of the industrialized world is far, far ahead of the US in aid...

If taken as a percentage of GDP, virtually every country in Europe outspends the US in foreign assistance. Japan outspends as well.

[rooboy]

8. I think last time I looked, of the top 20 industrialized countries...

USA was 19th out of 20. I believe Japan was last.

[myccrider]

10. Link?

Do you have a link to information about the foreign aid spending levels of different countries?

tia,

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. USA is 22nd in this list

out of the 22 listed.

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Debt/USAid.asp

[myccrider]

12. Many thx for the link! n/t

[newyawker99]

13. Hi myccrider!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[leesa]

5. We usually give the least anyway. I'm sure they are shedding

crocodile tears over this one.

[tlcandie]

6. Our foreign aid always has strings and coups attached anyways...

I'm sure it won't be any huge loss to the people whom we have selfishly abused.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Oh No!!!!!!

G DUHbya won't be able to by more allies in his coalition of the wheeling.