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Dear Campaign Partners-

Thanks to everyone who attended this morning's campaign kick-off breakfast. As you saw in our budget update<http://www.usglc.org/the-budget/congress-passes-landmark-budget-deal-six-week-cr-paving-way-final-decisions-fy18-spending/>, Congress just passed a budget deal that increases non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending for FY18, but simultaneously cuts significantly non-defense (i.e. international affairs) Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding by $8.8 billion in FY18. OCO funding currently makes up nearly one-third of the total International Affairs Budget. Without a corresponding increase in the International Affairs base budget, the impact of this OCO cut on our FY18 topline could be devastating.

Congressional Leadership and Appropriators will be finalizing topline spending levels - or 302(b) allocations - for their FY18 spending bills by early next week. We have four days to ensure they hear from our community and from their colleagues in Congress.

ACTION REQUESTED:

1. Communicate directly with Congressional Leadership and Appropriations Members to fully fund the International Affairs Budget at no less than current levels in FY18.


2. Ask key allies in the Senate and House to urge their colleagues in Leadership and Appropriations to fully fund the International Affairs Budget for FY18.


Attached are two resources to help with your mobilization:

* Talking Points w/sample email
* A spreadsheet with contact information for key Leadership and Appropriations staff and key Members of Congress we need to ask to weigh in.


Thanks again for everything you are doing in DC and across the country.


Best,

Jason Gross
Executive Director
U.S. Global Leadership Coalitio