Advocacy

Northern Virginia RPCV Volunteers

This year NOVA RPCV members joined RPCVs from across the nation to request their Congressional Representatives support continued funding of Peace Corps for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. NOVA RPCV encouraged RPCVs and Peace Corps groups/supporters to urge their Senators to sign the annual Peace Corps funding letter.

The funding request letter - authored this year by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) - serves as confirmation of bipartisan support for the Peace Corps and details how the funding will meet the agency’s needs and demands of an evolving global economy. Since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961, approximately 250,000 Volunteers from across the U.S. have served in more than 140 countries. Currently, more than 3,000 Volunteers are based in more than 60 countries worldwide. Programs include agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development.

The $479 million request is for the Peace Corps in FY 2027— an increase from the current FY 2026 funding level of $410 million. The request is equal to the recommendation made for last fiscal year and matches this cycle’s House of Representatives request authored by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) and Delegate Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) that garnered 121 signatures.

In the Senate: Work is Yet to Come

Attention on funding for the Peace Corps and all international affairs programs shifts to the United States Senate. The Senate has not scheduled a specific date for a floor vote on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Peace Corps funding. The legislative process is currently at the committee stage, with the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State/Foreign Operations evaluating the President's budget request of $430.5 million.
Peace Corps’ FY 2027 Congressional Budget Justification

FY 2026 Funding

In early February 2026, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026). The funding package includes appropriations for the Peace Corps and other international programs.

While the Trump administration had proposed level funding of $430.5 million for the Peace Corps, both the House and Senate settled on a five percent, $20 million reduction in funding for the current fiscal year, which runs through September 30th. This funding level for the agency’s operations is nearly equal to the $410 million allotted in 2016, which represents less than 0.1% of the total U.S. federal budget.

Northern Virginia Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Advocacy 2026 Goals and Activities 

Our principle Congressional Advocacy effort for 2026 focuses on urging Congress to continue to fund and support Peace Corps so it may continue operations and support its recruitment of its volunteer work force.

  1. Annual Promotion of Reestablishing a Healthy Budget Level for Peace Corps 

Last year was a critical moment for Peace Corps.  Although Peace Corps Volunteers are not classified as Federal employees, budget reductions resulted in a significant reduction in headquarters and field office staff.  Peace Corps staff and operations continue to face uncertainty due to possible budget cuts.  NOVA RPCV members play a key role in advocating for Peace Corps.  NOVA RPCV members – guided by the National Peace Corps Association – urged their local Congressional representatives and Senators to support funding for Peace Corps.  Many NOVA RPCV members joined other Returned Volunteer groups/affiliates throughout the Country in contacting (by phone, email, and in person) their local Representatives and Senators urging them to continue funding and support for Peace Corps.

The 2026 Continuing Resolution Bill that was passed this March 2026 includes funding for the Peace Corps at the level of $410 million dollars.  This amount, while still limited, ensured Peace Corps could continue operations and work on expanding its Volunteer recruitment efforts.  NOVA RPCVs sent email messages, called, and/or held personal meetings with their legislators urging them to ensure Peace Corps’ continuance.

  1. Each year NOVA RPCV members participate in the Annual Advocacy Day on the Hill, which is a full day of advocacy on Capitol Hill that focuses on promoting the passage of the Peace Corps’ budget and promoting initiatives that will improve the lives of Volunteers and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). Once again, “Let’s make our voices heard together on July 20, 2026!”  The pictures below are of RPCVs visiting Senator Lindsey Graham’s office and Congressman Garamendi’s (RPCV-Ethiopia) thanking us for visiting the offices of all the members of Congress.

How can you get involved?

  • Use NPCA’s Action Center to send a message to your Congressional Representatives.
  • Learn more about the NOVA RPCV community’s current advocacy initiatives
  • Check our calendar for upcoming advocacy events
  • Write op-ed and other articles in local news papers
  • Meet with Congressional representatives to advocate for support
  • Review the contact information for our Senators and members of the House.
  • About once a year at a regular meeting we write post cards to our representative in Congress for support of PC

Connect with our Advocacy Coordinator

Our Advocacy Coordinator is Art Flanagan.  If you have a question about any Advocacy Activity you may contact Art at novarpcv@gmail.com.  Include ADVOCACY in the subject of the email. You may also contact advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org to learn more about current advocacy activities being sponsored by NPCA.

On the Hill

We are an affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).

NPCA is the nonprofit alumni network at the center of a vibrant community of over 220,000 people who share the Peace Corps experience. NPCA champions lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals by connecting, engaging and promoting its members and affiliate groups as they continue to make a difference in communities in the U.S. and abroad. NPCA is also dedicated to advocating for, contributing to, and supporting the betterment of the Peace Corps. Visit NPCA to learn more.

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