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World poverty is real

As a supporter of the Borgen Project, I want to explain the importance of supporting increased funding to the international affairs budget. Specifically, I want my congress leaders Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Cindy Axne to know what I, their constituent, is wanting. I urge you all to find your congress leaders and reach out to them with what you believe in.

As one of the most powerful nations on earth, we should be doing more to address global poverty. Around the world, more than 780 million people live in extreme poverty. This means they live on less than $1.90 per person per day, an amount which is impossible to support a healthy livelihood in any part of the world.

The Borgen Project notes that world hunger can be eliminated with an additional $265 billion per year in additional resources. How does that compare to our other political priorities? $612 billion was the 2016 U.S. Defense Budget and that number has stayed consistent through the years.

Why should we do something to address global poverty? There are many reasons but the most important is because every person counts and deserves a chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life. But if you need more convincing, history has shown that as people transition from barely surviving into becoming consumers, it opens new markets for U.S. companies and creates American jobs. Less people in poverty means more consumers of US goods.

When we all do better, we all do better.

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