Menefee supports restoring the funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to pre-rescission levels and to protect it from future cuts. Citing the 18th Congressional District’s legacy of global humanitarianism, Menefee believes that foreign assistance “reflects the compassion and generosity that define the American people.”
Historically, global health programs like PEPFAR, malaria, and TB treatment have received bipartisan support in Congress and widespread support from the American people. Menefee is committed to restoring and strengthening these programs, saying that he will “gladly work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure these programs remain funded and protected.”
Part and parcel of historical U.S. international assistance programming has been in the provision of family planning and reproductive health programs; in the context of Pakein Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia, an abject lack of prenatal care led to the deaths of six people between 2010 and 2015. Menefee believes that “access to family planning and reproductive health services is vital for women’s empowerment, economic stability, and public health around the world” and that such programs reflect U.S. commitment to human dignity.
Contrary to the view that international assistance is purely altruistic, foreign aid is a useful softpower tool in countering the influence of authoritarianism. In this regard, Menefee has stated his belief that “by promoting democracy, development, and opportunity, we offer an alternative to the coercive influence of regimes like Russia and the People’s Republic of China.”
A4AL proudly stands behind Menefee and his belief that the U.S. has a moral and strategic obligation to lead on issues like pandemics, poverty, and climate change, on the premise that stability abroad strengthens American resilience at home.
“Christian D. Menefee’s demonstrated history and devotion to liberty and justice for all makes him uniquely suited to promoting the restoration and renewal of the U.S. international assistance apparatus,” said Asher Moss, Executive Director of A4AL.
“When America shows up for others, we strengthen our own security, our economy, and our standing as a global leader. The world looks to us not just for power, but for partnership,” said Christian Menefee. “The 18th Congressional District has a proud legacy of global humanitarianism, and I look forward to carrying on that legacy of compassion.”
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The Alliance 4 American Leadership is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to restoring American leadership through smart, strategic, and effective international assistance. Join the movement athttps://a4al.org
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Alliance 4 American Leadership
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The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the Alliance 4 American Leadership (A4AL) alone. Alliance 4 American Leadership would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.
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