Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment to increase funding for the Peace Corps. This investment is a commitment to our Nation's values and our role on the global stage, and we should not back away from it.

The Peace Corps represents the best of America. It embodies our spirit and our generosity. It helps build communities across the globe and exposes them to the good that America does in the world. These initiatives are more crucial than ever in today's world where American soft power, which the Peace Corps is a projection of, must be at the forefront of the pushback against authoritarian countries like Russia and China.

As we consider the challenges and opportunities before us, let us come together to ensure the Peace Corps is equipped to continue its mission. Supporting this amendment means supporting sustained American leadership and goodwill across the globe.

Thousands of Americans serve in the Peace Corps every year and reducing their funding would prevent them from accomplishing their critical mission. I have heard from many constituents about their personal experiences with the Peace Corps and they can tell you, as good as anyone, how impactful serving has been and how many volunteers go on to incredible careers in public service.

I ask my colleagues to stand together to fund this vital program for the next generation of Americans and enhance our Nation's legacy of making a positive impact worldwide.

Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Chairman, I respect my colleague across the aisle, but to my knowledge, my colleagues across the aisle never offered an amendment to increase funding for the Peace Corps, and this is an amendment that is before us to do just that.

We are constrained by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. We are trying to stay within the confines of the law and make sure that our spending is in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

If my colleague agrees with me that we need to increase funding for the Peace Corps, I can't understand why we would be opposed to an amendment that would do just that.

Yes, we all think every program is vital. Yes, we would love to see it at every level we would like to raise it to.

This is an amendment that increases spending for the Peace Corps. If you agree with that, even if it is not up to the level you would like, I am not sure why you would oppose it.

At the end of the day, this is an amendment that I believe all of my colleagues should support, and I think it is unfortunate that my colleagues across the aisle would oppose it simply because it doesn't go high enough. It is still higher than is in the base text.

If you believe in the mission of the Peace Corps, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Chairman, we are supporting a critical program while staying within the confines of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which this body, this Congress, and this President agreed to.

That is what we are seeking to do while supporting the critical mission of the Peace Corps. That is why I encourage all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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