In response to last night’s House Appropriations Committee markup of its FY2018 State/Foreign Operations (SFOPS) spending bill, Oxfam America’s Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, Paul O’Brien made the following statement:.

“Oxfam is deeply disappointed in the disproportionate budget cut that the International Affairs Budget received, amounting in a $10 billion decrease from the FY2017 spending bill. If enacted, the implications will have major impacts on millions of people, national security interests and the moral values at the heart of America’s identity – a big price to pay for a budget that is just a penny of every federal budget dollar.

“Right now, more than 30 million people are facing extreme hunger in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria, 10 million of whom are on the brink of starvation. More than 65 million people globally are forcefully displaced from their homes. If enacted, these disproportionate budget cuts will cut assess to crucial anti-hunger, health and humanitarian programs will be cut, signaling to the world that the US is turning its back on these vulnerable people who desperately need assistance.

“Oxfam appreciates the continued leadership from Chairman Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Lowey (D-NY) on improving the budget proposal and call on House & Senate Leadership and Appropriations Committees to restore America’s leadership in the world by maintaining spending for foreign affairs at the current FY2017 level.”