I’ve been following the activities of the ONE campaign and thought you’d be interested in the latest news. The ONE campaign was created and is championed by Bono (of U2 fame). The goal of ONE is to push the U.S. Congress to commit 1% of the U.S. federal budget (? I think) to international aid and development. Here is the latest development:
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The 2009 federal budget process has been a wild ride and we couldn’t have asked for a better ending. A week ago, we stared a $4.1 billion cut to the international affairs budget in the face and didn’t flinch. ONE members like you got to work, signing tens of thousands of petitions and making thousands of phone calls.
And at 1:15a.m. on Friday, a massive bipartisan majority in the Senate delivered a huge victory. The Biden-Lugar Amendment passed by an overwhelming 73 to 23 to restore the full $4.1 billion in funding to the international affairs budget.
This is a huge victory that follows in the greatest traditions of American leadership.
Call your senators—both of whom supported the Biden-Lugar Amendment—and thank them for giving the world’s poorest people the support they need to build a better future.
You can reach their Washington offices here:
Senator Max Baucus
Phone: 202-224-2651
Senator Jon Tester
Phone: 202-224-2644
When you speak to your senators’ staffs, make sure to tell them:
You are a constituent and a ONE member.
You appreciate their support for the Biden-Lugar Amendment restoring $4.1 billion to the international affairs budget, matching the president’s request.
You look forward to their continuing support for proven solutions to the very worst suffering caused by extreme poverty and global disease.