Sept. 30 marks the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress has little time left to pass legislation to fund the government or face a shutdown. A prolonged shutdown could trigger cutbacks for anti-hunger initiatives that serve mothers, newborns, seniors and Native American communities, and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed without pay.
Growing up in a blue-collar family, I remember the stress it placed on my parents when we missed meals or had to move because we could not afford the rent.
What else will be affected? Peace-building and conflict-prevention programs that reduce human suffering while saving taxpayer dollars, such as the Complex Crises Fund, which enables USAID to respond to early warning signs and escalating conflicts, helping to prevent mass violence.
In recognition of International Day of Peace on Sept. 21, I call on Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to invest in peace. Please support programs that aid communities and peace-building to prevent and reduce violent conflict in the Fiscal Year 24 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill.
Strengthening our communities as well as peace-building programs helps ensure that Congress is investing in our country’s needs.
