International Charities Press Congress to Restore Money for Overseas Aid

Nonprofit groups that work overseas are urging Congress against cutting support for foreign aid from President Obama’s proposed budget.

Charities are asking supporters to press members of Congress to reject moves by the Senate and House Budget Committees that would trim $4-billion and $5.3-billion, respectively, from the amount Mr. Obama had requested.

Mr. Obama sought $53.8-billion for foreign assistance in his budget proposal for 2010. Senators John Kerry, a Democrat, and Richard Lugar, a Republican, have introduced an amendment that would restore the money to the level requested by Mr. Obama.

Nonprofit leaders say the decrease would hinder efforts to help poor people abroad. “Anything less than the request level of $53.8-billion will greatly hamper President Obama’s efforts to implement programs essential for millions of children and families around the world,” said Save the Children in an online message to supporters.