The Alliance for International Exchange thanks the Senate Appropriations Committee for demonstrating its bipartisan support of Department of State educational and cultural exchanges by allocating a 2.7% funding increase over the FY24 enacted level in its recently approved FY25 State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) bill.
We believe that Congress’ continued robust investment in international exchange programs is critical in combatting rising global challenges. Exchanges are one of the most cost-effective uses of taxpayer dollars in the federal budget and have immeasurable benefits on our long-term national security and foreign policy goals by fostering people-to-people connections worldwide.
We recognize the constraints of this difficult budget climate, including current spending caps, and know that any increase at this time is no small feat. Especially in light of FY24’s 4.7% cut, we are grateful for this step forward and hope that it will be upheld in conference negotiations, along with the inclusion of the Department of State BridgeUSA program provision present in both the House and Senate bills.
We urge Congress to continue its longstanding bipartisan support by fully funding the educational and cultural exchange account in FY25. As the appropriations process progresses, we look forward to our continued engagement with policymakers on behalf of Department of State international exchange programs.