Dodd-Feinstein amendment increases Peace Corps funding by $10 million



"Mr. President, this amendment by Senator Dodd and myself increases the funding for the Peace Corps by $10 million for a total of $333.5 million. This matches the President's request and the funding level in the House bill. The offset comes from unobligated foreign military financing funds."

Dodd-Feinstein amendment increases Peace Corps funding by $10 million

SENATE FLOOR DISCUSSION ON DODD-FEINSTEIN PEACE CORPS AMENDMENT:

ADDITIONAL PEACE CORPS FUNDING

Sec. 699B. (a) The amount appropriated or otherwise made available by title III under the heading ``PEACE CORPS'' is hereby increased by $10,000,000.

(b) The amount appropriated or otherwise made available by title IV under the heading ``FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM'' is hereby reduced by $10,000,000.

Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, this amendment by Senator Dodd and myself increases the funding for the Peace Corps by $10 million for a total of $333.5 million. This matches the President's request and the funding level in the House bill. The offset comes from unobligated foreign military financing funds.

The Peace Corps is one of our most effective and successful foreign aid programs. Since 1961, over 190,000 Americans, including 25,000 from my home State of California, have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 139 countries. Currently, there are 7,749 volunteers serving in 73 countries.

I am a big fan of the Peace Corps. They are diplomats, and they restore people's confidence in this country. The Peace Corps also provides critical education. In fact, approximately 20 percent of the Peace Corps volunteers today are serving in predominantly Muslim countries. And at a time when United States prestige is at an all-time low, Peace Corps volunteers provide a different face of America--one of compassion, one of care, and one of understanding. This amendment matches the President's request in the budget. It matches the funding level in the House. It is offset by unobligated balances. I urge that the amendment be adopted today.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.

Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I am certainly in sympathy with the purposes of the amendment. The Peace Corps is an extraordinary organization filled with very dedicated and special people who give of their life, willing to go into the countryside in parts of this world and help people out, out of their concern for social well-being and the betterment of others. They are very admirable people. So I support the number. But the offset is an issue.

I have discussed this issue with Senator Dodd. I have not had a chance to discuss it with Senator Feinstein. Senator Dodd and I reached an understanding that we would try to find a better offset in conference.

With that understanding, I certainly have no objection to this amendment. I ask that it be approved.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate? If not, the question is on agreeing to amendment No. 2721.

The amendment (No. 2721) was agreed to.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2007; RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic); Appropriations; Budget; Congress

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