1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support robust funding for U.S. foreign assistance in the FY2026 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations. This is both a moral imperative and a strategic investment in American security and global stability. Foreign assistance represents less than 1% of our federal budget, yet delivers extraordinary returns. These programs address global health crises, food insecurity, and humanitarian emergencies while directly supporting U.S. diplomatic and security interests by stabilizing fragile regions before conflicts escalate into costly interventions. The human cost of underfunding is stark: recent modeling shows that large reductions in foreign assistance could contribute to 1.6 million preventable deaths worldwide by 2026. The 2025 cuts have already devastated critical programs in disease prevention, maternal and child health, and emergency response—undermining decades of bipartisan progress in global health leadership. Restoring approximately $50 billion for international assistance in FY2026 is fiscally responsible crisis prevention. Investing in stability, health, and development abroad reduces the need for far more expensive military interventions and emergency responses later. It strengthens America’s diplomatic influence and demonstrates our commitment to values-based leadership. I urge you to support full funding for foreign assistance programs in the FY2026 budget. This investment saves lives, prevents crises, and protects American interests at minimal cost. Thank you for your consideration.