US Budget: Funding to Save Lives

On February 14th, President Obama released his International Affairs Budget for FY2012, totaling $53.1 billion. The House recently followed up with a bill that proposes 18% cuts to global programs that promote agriculture and economic development and 9% cuts to global health programs. And the Senate? They're proposing no cuts at all - and in some instances, even small increases.
 
It's a fact that not everybody knows: less than 1% of the total US budget goes to lifesaving programs for the world's poor. But this 1% saves lives, fights poverty, disease and corruption for generations to come. So if the House cuts are approved, it means that 50,000 kids won't get treatment for malaria, 900,000 children won't get nutrition interventions and 1.1 million children won't get immunized. So we've got to make sure that Congress supports the Senate version of FY2012 budget bill.
 
To help protect poverty-fighting programs in next year's budget, add your name to our petition here. And keep checking back for updates on the latest news and what you can do to help.