This week, the Senate is making important decisions on the FY2012 US International Affairs Budget. You can take action now by telling the Senate to VOTE NO on cuts to life-saving, poverty-fighting programs here:
http://act.one.org/call/vote_no_senate_2012_budget
You have responded to our alarms before, and we need your voice again for this urgent situation. The House has proposed cuts to effective life-saving international development programs for next year, and this week the Senate will be voting to pass these cuts. These key programs have already received cuts, and we expect some in Congress to propose additional cuts that would lead to the elimination of current on-the-ground services in 2012.
There will be real, immediate, and devastating impacts on the poorest if we are not successful in this congressional budget battle. For example, the proposed cuts could lead to 20,000 HIV-positive babies. That is a huge number, but for me, it is one particular face. Earlier this year, I traveled to Kenya and met a beautiful, cheerful and plump 18-month baby named Victoria at Mbagathi District Hospital, which receives funding from USAID and PEPFAR. Her mom, Elizabeth is HIV-positive, but thanks to treatment during pregnancy, Victoria is not.
We are asking ONE members around the country this week to take a few minutes to immediately call your Senator and urge them to protect these critical life-saving programs for the world’s poorest people.