In late October, AMJ alerted you that Israel was planning to ask the US for an additional $10 billion in economic aid. That request is being submitted to US officials today. And the $10 billion has risen to $14 billion -- $4 billion in defense aid and $10 billion in loan guarantees. Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper reports that President Bush is expected to approve the request quickly and that Congress is likely to approve the aid within 3-6 months. Just last week, Congress approved $2.16 billion in military aid to Israel. Israel – with a per capita income comparable to some Western European countries –already receives more US aid than all the countries of sub-Saharan Africa combined. Clearly, an additional $14 billion in economic aid is needed more and could do more good in less developed, poverty-stricken countries around the world. Here at home, states are facing a severe fiscal crisis. According to the National Priorities Project, 43 states and the District of Columbia faced budget gaps totaling $27 billion in 2002. The vast majority of states have imposed significant cuts to balance their budgets. Rather than assisting states with this fiscal crisis, next year's federal budget would cut grants to states by $2.4 billion and eliminate funding completely for many education, health and social service programs. (For more information see www.nationalpriorities.org) $14 billion spent here at home would mean that: * 2.1 million children could attend Head Start programs
Action Requested: Contact President Bush and your Contact Information: White House Phone: (202) 456-1111
To find your Representative call the House Switchboard at (202) 225-3121 or visit www.congress.org and search by zip code.
Talking Points: 1) I urge you to reject Israel's request for $14 billion more American tax dollars.
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By: UN Women
Date: 09/03/2019
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