ONE members from the 1st district sat down with Congressman Wittman today in Yorktown, VA while he was in district during the congressional work period. We had a great discussion with the congressman who expressed his desire to elevate development in funding and importance to the level of defense and diplomacy in US foreign policy. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he said he viewed development as vital to our national security. An investment in more and better foreign aid, the Congressman said, will quell instability and insecurity abroad and improve our relationships with developing countries.

He also said he supports debt relief as an important tool to lift countries out of extreme poverty. Before we left, Representative Wittman asked us to follow-up with his staff to coordinate a town hall meeting on global poverty so that we can continue our conversation with a greater audience of ONE and community members! Stay tuned for more information!

-Lauren Conn, VA ONE Field Organizer