By Kevin McCauley
The U.S. Leadership Coalition has hired Glover Park Group to stave off cuts to the U.S. international affairs budget as Republicans get set to control the incoming 112th Congress with cost cutting on their minds.
The Coalition, in the aftermath of this month's election, issued a statement to say that though it recognizes "budget realities" it is critical to support the Defense Dept., which calls for "greater investments in the civilian side of our global engagement tools." The group looks forward to working with expected-Speaker of the House John Boehner to forge "cost-effective programs which are critical to building a better, safer world."
In September, the Coalition released a poll that found nearly 90 percent of military officers agree that public diplomacy and a strong military are critical to U.S. security. Eighty-three percent say food/health/education assistance and economic development funding are important to national security.
The Coalition also favors federal programs to support exports, saying each dollar spent returns $40 to the U.S. economy.
The Coalition includes more than 400 companies and non-governmental organizations like General Electric, Northrop Grumman, Wal-Mart, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Pfizer, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Microsoft, Mars Inc. Better World Campaign, Lockheed Martin, Mercy Corps and International Rescue Committee.
Glover Park's Coalition team includes Brett O'Brien, former aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt; Lindsay Lee, ex-staffer for former Congressman Joe Knollenberg, and Nicole Sawran, former staff director of the Senate Democratic Steering Committee.
|