Republicans in the House of Representatives want to defund EPCVs COVID-19 support
The company we keep: Here is the list of funding which these Republicans want to eliminate. Peace Corps is under…
The NPCA is reporting this possible action and asking the RPCV Community to rally and contact their Congress Representative. From the NPCA Newsletter comes the alarming news:
“Legislation would jeopardize funds that provided for health and safety of more than 7,300 evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers amid global pandemic. Let’s keep that from happening.
While there has been significant legislation introduced to support Peace Corps and evacuated volunteers, a South Carolina Congressman has announced legislation that would — in part — rescind the $88 million in emergency appropriations approved earlier for Peace Corps.
Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has introduced H.R. 6657, the Working Under Humanity’s Actual Needs (WUHAN) Rescissions Act, which calls for eliminating more than $27 billion from the CARES Act legislation that was overwhelmingly approved by Congress and signed by President Trump in late March. Included in the new legislation is the proposed return of the $88 million appropriated for Peace Corps which covered evacuation and initial support costs for 7,300 volunteers. Read Representative Duncan’s press release here.
“Through this action and his comments, Congressman Duncan would seem to indicate that the health and safety of the 7,300 affected Peace Corps Volunteers was unrelated to the pandemic and that bringing them home safely was wasteful spending,” said NPCA President Glenn Blumhorst. “This proposal is the height of irresponsibility and we are confident it will face a resounding, bi-partisan rejection in the House of Representatives.”
Many lawmakers – Democrats and Republicans – have been stepping up with legislation to show strong support for Peace Corps, the evacuees, and eventual redeployment. Follow this link for a summary of previous developments.
Along with Representative Jeff Duncan, these are the other ten original co-sponsors of the legislation: Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Paul Gosar, (R-AZ), Ken Buck (R-CO), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Ross Spano (R-FL), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Scott Perry (R-PA), Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Alex Mooney (R-WV).
Take Action Now
Follow this link to express strong opposition to this proposal with your member of the House of Representatives.
You can also support our ongoing efforts to help evacuated Volunteers — and ensure they have the resources they need — by making a gift here.
The company we keep: Here is the list of funding which these Republicans want to eliminate. Peace Corps is under State Department.
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, & SCIENCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: $20,000,000
NASA: $60,000,000
Legal Services Corporation: $50,000,000
INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation: Water and Related Resources, $12,500,000
Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Management: $3,910,000
EPA, Buildings and Facilities, $300,000
EPA Hazardous Substance Superfund: $770,000
Forest and Rangeland Research: $3,000,000
National Forest Service, Capital Improvement and Maintenance: $26,800,000
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development: $78,000
Smithsonian Institution: $7,500,000
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: $25,000,000
National Endowment for the Arts: $75,000,000
National Endowment for the Humanities: $75,000,000
EDUCATION
Gallaudet University: $7,000,000
Howard University: $13,000,000
Corporation for Public Broadcasting: $75,000,000
Institute for Museum and Library Services, $50,000,000
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
House, Salaries and Expenses: $25,000,000
STATE
International Disaster Assistance: $258,000,000
Migration and Refugee Assistance: $350,000,000
Peace Corps, $88,000,000
TRANSPORTATION
Northeast Corridor Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation: $492,000,000
National Network Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation: $526,000,000
Federal Transit Administration: $25,000,000,000
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS: $65,000,000
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Fair Housing Activities: $2,500,000
Read the bill HERE. The link for the statement from Representative Duncan is in the above article.
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