US Senate Committee Report Language on Peace Corps



The Committee is aware that some have called for a large increase in funding above the amount requested by the President for fiscal year 2010, in order to send volunteers to new countries. Very few of such countries are safe enough or otherwise ready to host volunteers, and there are hundreds of volunteers currently serving in countries with little if any strategic importance to the United States who could be used more effectively. At a time of intense pressures on a limited budget, each volunteer costs the U.S. Government $50,000 a year. Each dose of vaccine for measles, which threatens hundreds of millions of children in poor countries and needlessly kills 200,000 children annually, costs a few dollars. This is but one of the many difficult funding choices the Committee faced, yet its recommendation for the Peace Corps is the largest percentage increase in the Peace Corps’ budget since 1993. The Committee believes that reform, not dramatic increases in funding in a single year, is the Peace Corps’ most urgent need.

US Senate Committee Report Language on Peace Corps

U.S. SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY

CONTACT: Office of Senator Leahy, 202-224-4242

VERMONT

Committee Report Language

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee

July 7, 2009

PEACE CORPS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2009…………………………………………………$340,000,000

Budget estimate, 2010……………………………………………….. 373,440,000

Committee recommendation………………………………………… 373,440,000

The Committee recommends $373,440,000 for the Peace Corps, which is equal to the budget request and $33,440,000 above the fiscal year 2009 level.

The Committee strongly supports the mission of the Peace Corps, which can be as relevant today in promoting American values abroad as it was when it was founded almost a half century ago. But the world has changed significantly since then, and the Peace Corps needs to adapt to the 21st century. Past efforts by the Committee to encourage the Peace Corps to reform and make better use of resources have been ignored. A new Director with a new vision, who recognizes the need for reform, supports transparency and seeks a constructive relationship with Congress, is urgently needed.

The Committee is aware that some have called for a large increase in funding above the amount requested by the President for fiscal year 2010, in order to send volunteers to new countries. Very few of such countries are safe enough or otherwise ready to host volunteers, and there are hundreds of volunteers currently serving in countries with little if any strategic importance to the United States who could be used more effectively. At a time of intense pressures on a limited budget, each volunteer costs the U.S. Government $50,000 a year. Each dose of vaccine for measles, which threatens hundreds of millions of children in poor countries and needlessly kills 200,000 children annually, costs a few dollars. This is but one of the many difficult funding choices the Committee faced, yet its recommendation for the Peace Corps is the largest percentage increase in the Peace Corps’ budget since 1993. The Committee believes that reform, not dramatic increases in funding in a single year, is the Peace Corps’ most urgent need.

The Committee expects to recommend additional increases in funding to support the goal of doubling the Peace Corps, including sending more volunteers to countries with large Muslim populations, once it is clear that a new Director is providing the leadership the Peace Corps needs.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: July, 2009; Congress; Budget; Appropriations; Expansion; Vermont

When this story was posted in July 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Join Us Mr. President! "We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Read how RPCV's rallied and and marched to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age.

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May 30, 2009: Peace Corps' Roadmap Peace Corps' Roadmap for the Future 26 May Who are the Candidates for Peace Corps Director? 24 May Have French Atomic Tests put PCVs at Risk? 1 May Obama asks Congress for 10% increase in PC Budget 7 May Guy Consolmagno debunks "Angels & Demons" 22 May Obama praises Dodd at credit card signing 22 May John Garamendi front runner in California primary 22 May Al Kamen writes: New management structure at PC HQ? 22 May Damian Wampler's play Twin Towers opens in NYC 21 May Michael Volpe learns that DC is networking capital 21 May Dr. Mike Metke returns to Costa Rica 10 May Jesse Fleisher Lives well on less 14 May Al Kamen writes: PCVs peak at 11,000 under Obama Budget 11 May James W. Kostenblatt is making a difference in Mozambique 10 May Karen and Warren Master host Kyrgyzstan teen 9 May Alberto Ibargüen writes: The Future of Newspapers 9 May PC Monitor 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus in Mexico 1 May Paul Theroux writes: Obama and the Peace Corps 1 May Johnnie Carson to head State Department African Affairs 29 Apr Michael O'Hanlon writes: Grading Obama's First 100 Days 29 Apr Amy Potthast writes: The Peace Corps Lottery 23 Apr Read more stories from April and May 2009.

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PCOL's Candidate for Peace Corps Director Honduras RPCV Jon Carson, 33, presided over thousands of workers as national field director for the Obama campaign and said the biggest challenge -- and surprise -- was the volume of volunteer help, including more than 15,000 "super volunteers," who were a big part of what made Obama's campaign so successful. PCOL endorses Jon Carson as the man who can revitalize the Peace Corps, bring it into the internet age, and meet Obama's goal of doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011.

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Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez.

Read the stories and leave your comments.

By volunteer (4.154.252.159) on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 7:25 pm: Edit Post

Of course as a former volunteer, I support more funding for Peace Corps, however, I agree with Leahy's reform message. As all of you know, little in reform of Peace Corps has taken place and the safety and security issues got out of control and were handled very poorly. If volunteers and staff are so smart then why haven't we had reform. Everytime serious discussion comes up over the years, the threat of shutting it down comes up. Its like a game that is played.

We know it won't get shut down, but its time to address the issues of volunteers who have been hurt by apathy toward the problems of safety, security and health. Pumping more volunteers in the field will just increase the rates of attrition. Quality is what Peace Corps was in the 1960's and it should look to the past for ansewers in the future. The Peace Corps idea is based on harmonious relations. They should start with the volunteers who served them and are currently serving them. The volunteers should be supported fully in the field showing strength in the volunteers presence in the village. Not dropping volunteers off and abandoning them without resources in the field.

It needs to change and repair itself and be the idealist Kennedy program that solves problems and does not cast blame at the volunteers. As you can see, it has hurt the program. Now its hurting the funding. I agree with Senator Leahy on his calls for repair and reform. After the reforms are in place then funding should expand.

By the way Tim Reasor has got to be one of the most arogant hill staffers I have ever dealt with. We miss Fred Kenny and his real Vermont nature.