Major Issues - Foreign Policy

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Major Issues

Resources For Families Of Our Troops

Foreign Assistance

Other Foreign Policy Efforts

Iraq and Afghanistan

Civilian Victims of War

Latin America & the Caribbean

Asia

The Middle East

Foreign Assistance

Other Foreign Policy Issues

Foreign Assistance

I am proud that I have been among the Senate's most ardent proponents of humanitarian and development aid to the world's poorest countries in my capacity as either Chairman or Ranking Member of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.

Every year, Congress considers a foreign aid appropriations bill that contains funds to combat HIV/AIDS and many other diseases that kill or sicken hundreds of millions of people each year. It funds our international environmental programs which, among many other things protect tropical forests, endangered species, and the ozone layer. It contains billions of dollars for disaster and famine relief, aid for refugees, and other humanitarian programs. It funds activities to protect human rights, support war crimes tribunals, and train judges and lawyers in countries with no tradition of the rule of law. It funds our reconstruction programs in Afghanistan, as well as our contributions to the African peacekeeping

force in Darfur, Sudan, and our programs to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, and the trafficking of women and children. It provides hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians, and our aid to more than 100 other countries. It supports our contributions to UN peacekeeping, the World Bank, and our educational and cultural exchange programs. It funds the costs of operating and protecting our embassies and consulates around the world. And it funds emergency efforts when needed, such as in the aftermath of the December 2005 tsunami.

Our relationships with other countries, and our role as an international leader, are supported by our willingness to aid other countries in need. Foreign aid is essential to many U.S.-backed programs around the world, as well as protecting our national security interests abroad, and I am committed to promoting efforts abroad that improve the quality of life for people around the globe.

Sen. Leahy met with former United Nation's Secretary General Kofi Annan. The United Nations is active in human rights issues around the world.

Resources from the Congressional Research Service:

Agriculture Export and
Food Aid Programs

The Congressional Research Service provides members of Congress with non-partisan research and analysis of legislation and issues.

Statements of Sen. Patrick Leahy
Concerning Foreign Assistance

Opening Remarks Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), At The Appropriations Committee Markup For The FY2009 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill July 17, 2008 ***Audio Available***

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2009 State And Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill July 17, 2008

Read a complete list of Sen. Leahy's foreign policy statements.

For audio of statements floor statements about foreign policy, or subscribe to Sen. Leahy's podcasts click here.