EMAIL DETAILS

Last week, I wrote to you about the potential of a very dangerous proposal by the Office of Management and Budget that could have cut more than $3.5 billion from State Department and USAID. On Tuesday, we learned that the proposal - known as a rescission package - was stopped!


This was a big win for Secretary Pompeo and bipartisan Senate leaders who played a critical role in pushing back against these efforts to slash foreign assistance. According to the Washington Post, the final decision to protect international affairs programs emerged from a

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=kwmeXAVH58dSIIX-Xj89Bg

White House meeting between Secretary Pompeo and OMB's Mick Mulvaney. Clearly, the "swagger" is back at Foggy Bottom.


Also this week, I along with so many, have been reflecting on the extraordinary life and legacy of America's warrior statesman, John McCain. The maverick from Arizona never missed an opportunity to speak out for what he believed would make the world safer - including the power of development and diplomacy - and his presence in the Senate will be sorely missed by our coalition.


Lots more to share - including Senator Lindsey Graham's heartfelt tribute to McCain - in our latest edition of the GLOBAL GAB. I welcome your personal reflections on Senator McCain, or your thoughts about the latest budget battles.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

THE GLOBAL GAB: An important win, remembering McCain
August 30, 2018


STOPPED BY SENATORS. In addition to Secretary Pompeo, Senators from both sides of the aisle played a powerful role in shutting down the Administration's efforts to not just disproportionately, but solely target State Department and USAID programs for cuts. Big shout outs to key Senate leaders including Leader McConnell and Senators Corker, Menendez, Shelby, Leahy, and Graham - in addition to many other champions.

* Congressional action was also driven by the determination to protect its
constitutional power of the purse against unprecedented executive branch overreach.

* And given that the cuts would have amounted to just 0.07% of the entire federal budget, many saw this as a political move rather than a comment on the resources needed to respond to the growing global challenges facing our nation.

THE MAVERICK. John McCain not only believed America was that "shining city on a hill," he worked tirelessly every day to make it so. A few memories and tributes to share about the Senator:

* On the late show with Seth Myers last year, John McCain passionately defended the importance of our nation's civilian tools.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Ue4Z_mHy_SyBXnKZ_ZIDdw


* USGLC will always remember the special evening McCain joined us to honor his friend, Vice President Joe Biden.
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=hUcMrHejQK3QVFjjamJYhw


* And Senator Lindsay Graham's tearful and fitting farewell to his best friend from the Senate floor from earlier this week.
http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=h2gbjyH5vK6EjzAvSrnQHg

CHINA COMPETITION. Fresh polling by Pew reflects Americans less favorable views of China as trade tensions have risen in recent months. The survey shows a 6% drop in Americans favorable views of China since last year (from 44% to 38% today). In fact, by a margin of 2 to 1, more Americans are concerned about China's economic threat than their military strength.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=BoLkoC53VMR5ZyCG4i3vZQ


CRISIS SNAPSHOT. There's no shortage of global crises on the horizon:

* Marking one year since the beginning of the Royingha crisis

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Bxj7W_x_-VydkREeWzrJbA

, Governor Bill Richardson, writes that displaced families still need our help and need to be heard.

* The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not yet stabilized, particularly with the difficulty tracking new cases of the disease near rebel-held areas. The World Health
Organization reports 112 confirmed and probable cases.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=_LWoyaU8VwI_hubcVHuXKg


* The crisis in Venezuela continues to spiral downward with severe food and medicine shortages and inflation rates topping 60,000%. Brazil recently sent troops to the border to prevent Venezuelans from seeking safety across its border.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=ycFYpPQpAfu49-ToJNnRDQ

WHEELS UP FOR MELANIA. In her first major international solo trip as First Lady, Melania Trump will be traveling to Africa this October. Plans are underway to visit several countries, highlighting
humanitarian work with a focus on children. More details on her exact itinerary to come.


POST-LABOR DAY GAMEPLAN. With just 11 days left until the end of the fiscal year, Congress will need to work quickly to pass its final FY19 spending bills to ensure the government is funded after September 30. Both the House and Senate are working at record speed, with the Senate having already approved 9 of its 12 appropriations bills on a bipartisan basis. But between a Supreme Court nomination, a must-pass Farm bill, and other priorities, it's likely Congress will need to pass a Continuing Resolution to keep at least some of the government - including the State Department and USAID - funded through the fall.


The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
1129 20th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036

Manage Subscriptions: http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=2GPN0VeGO-U4uxqwmr9PAw

Unsubscribe: http://action.usglc.org/site/CO?i=QsW77v2hbITlvIwRdaSByhb6nJrW9zbt&cid=1205&action=FALSE&events=TRUE&news=TRUE&daily=FALSE&weekly=TRUE&email=hbiden@rosemontseneca.com

Not on our list yet? Subscribe Here: http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Euc8KNuKSIzCrqvhNVu5