WASHINGTON — Preliminary analysis by Bread for the World experts indicates that the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 U.S. budget, released Feb. 4, would increase international poverty-focused development assistance but would do little to strengthen domestic nutrition programs.
The proposed budget for FY2009 includes $16.48 billion for poverty-focused development assistance, which are programs that most directly address the root causes of poverty. Over all, poverty-focused development assistance would receive a $1 billion increase over what was appropriated for FY2008.
The preliminary analysis by Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice that urges decision makers to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad, also finds an encouraging reversal in the trend of cutting long-term sustainable development programs. Bush asked for $15 million more for the development assistance account, which will provide clean water, agriculture training and basic education to the poorest communities of the world.
“We have a long way to go to meet our commitment to reduce global hunger and poverty,” said David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “According to our polls, the American people want the administration and Congress to do more.”
“Domestically, food stamps are our nation’s first line of defense against hunger, so we are glad that President Bush excluded retirement and education savings accounts in determining eligibility,” said Beckmann.
“By excluding special military pay, low-income families would not see their food stamp benefits go down when a family member is deployed to a designated combat zone.”
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