LOUISVILLE — Following reports that the Trump administration is making yet another attempt to cut foreign aid funding already appropriated by Congress, Kentuckians are sounding the alarm to Senator McConnell and asking him to use his position of influence to push back against the potential cuts to foreign aid.

According to reports, Mick Mulvaney, the acting Chief of Staff to President Trump and Director of the Office of Management, is preparing to send a rescissions package to Capitol Hill that would cut programs that help international narcotics control and law enforcement, promote nutrition to combat starvation, and enable communities to get electricity for the first time, while Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump and Vice President Mike Pence’s projects will be spared the guillotine. A growing chorus of bipartisan lawmakers from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have already spoken out in opposition to the cuts.

Over the past week, hundreds of Kentuckians have called Senator McConnell’s office asking him to express his concerns to the White House about the rescissions plan.

Statement from Colleen Dietz, a Louisville-based volunteer with The ONE Campaign:

“As a proud American and fellow Kentuckian, I believe generosity for the world’s most vulnerable people represents the best of American values around the world and is in our best economic and security interests. These cuts would only undermine that, and I urge Senator Mitch McConnell to use his position of influence and push back against the Office of Management and Budget’s reckless attempt to cut up to $4 billion in Congressionally authorized and appropriated development funding.

“America’s investment in fighting extreme poverty is less than 1 percent of the budget but does a world of good. U.S. leadership on global health, gender equality, national security and economic opportunity has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, turned the tide of deadly diseases, and made America safer.

“The only thing stopping the Office of Management and Budget from cutting foreign aid are leaders like Senator McConnell who can serve as a voice of reason. My neighbors and I care deeply about this issue and we hope Senator McConnell voices these concerns directly to President Trump, Director Mick Mulvaney, and White House staff.”

For more information, please contact Sean Simons, [email protected].

ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. We are nonpartisan and pressure governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empower citizens to hold their governments to account. Read more at www.one.org.