Advocacy

All Northern Virginia RPCA Volunteers

As we know, NOVA RPCA members have joined RPCVs from all over the nation in urging their Congressional Representatives to support the continued funding of the Peace Corps in FY 2025 at a 430 million dollar level. While the Peace Corps still needs a much higher budget in the future, the fact that the 20 million dollars that was reduced earlier in the budget negotiations has now been restored. And that is somewhat of a victory. Now we have to somehow push it through the Senate. Please continue to write and call your members of Congress and thank them for restoring funds for the Peace Corps! (see link below)

In The House: Overcoming a Budget Cut
The House of Representatives took up its version of the FY 2025 State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill on June 26. Initially, this funding bill included a proposal to cut funding for the Peace Corps from its current $430 million to $410 million – the same baseline funding level received by the agency a decade ago.

However, the House approved – by a voice vote – an amendment introduced by Representative Michael Lawler (R-NY) to restore $20 million to the agency. As the House majority requires any amendments proposing an increase to include an “offset” (a reduction elsewhere of an equal amount), the Lawler amendment proposed reducing $20 million from the U.S. State Department’s diplomatic programs. During the brief debate on the amendment, Representative Lawler said Peace Corps represents the best of America.

“Thousands of Americans serve in the Peace Corps every year, and reducing their funding would prevent them from accomplishing their critical mission”, said Lawler. “I’ve heard from many constituents about their personal experiences with the Peace Corps, and they can tell you as good as anyone, how impactful serving has been.”

The Ranking Democrat responsible on the State/Foreign Operations appropriations subcommittee, Barbara Lee (D-CA) spent the day urging opposition to majority amendments, which in many cases would have further reduced spending to international affairs programs in a spending bill that already collectively reduces those program budgets by almost 12 percent.

When it came to the Lawler amendment, Representative Lee lamented that this was the only amendment she would reluctantly oppose. Saying she agrees with the premise that Peace Corps should receive additional funding, she added that funding proposed for the State diplomatic programs account is already facing cuts (prior to the amendment) of $1 billion. “We cannot expect to address the variety of global challenges to foster peace and support our diplomatic efforts with the 12 percent decrease in the top line of this bill.”

Watch the eight minute debate on the Lawler amendment here

Write your members of Congress to thank them for restoring funds for the Peace Corps, while expressing concern or disappointment in the overall cuts to our international affairs programs.

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, which is expected to develop their version of the State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill later in July. While there is no determination as to what those funding levels will be, it is less likely that the Senate will propose any reductions in funding from current Peace Corps spending.

Northern Virginia Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Advocacy 2025 Goals and Activities

Our principle Congressional Advocacy effort for 2024/25 focuses on urging Congress to continue to fund and support Peace Corps at an appropriate level so it can continue and start to increase the Volunteer work force to Peace Corps’ pre-pandemic level and to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act.

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

Fiscal year 2024 was a critical moment for the Peace Corps. Although Peace Corps Volunteers are not classified as Federal employees, the Peace Corps Staff faced unprecedented uncertainty due to possible budget cuts. Therefore, we need to continue to stand up and take action to promote the continuation and growth of Peace Corps to at least its pre-pandemic level. The Northern Virginia Returned Peace Corps Volunteers were guided by the National Peace Corps Association RPCVs in urging our local Congressional representatives and Senators to continue to fund Peace Corps. Many of our 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 supporting Peace Corps at a 430.5 Million dollar budget level.

The 2025 Continuing Resolution Bill that was passed this March 2025 includes funding for the Peace Corps at the level of $430.5 million dollars. This amount, while still too small, is somewhat of a victory because Peace Corps can now continue to grow back towards its pre-pandemic Volunteer force level. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Congressman Garamendi (RPCV-Ethiopia) and other friends of Peace Corps helped reverse the temporary cut.  As many as 1,800 RPCVs sent email messages, called, and/or held personal meetings with their legislators urging them to ensure Peace Corps’ continuance. The NOVA RPCVs played an important role in this effort.

  1. NOVA RPCVs always 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 21st2025 !” 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?

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 [email protected]. Include ADVOCACY in the subject of the email. You may also contact [email protected] 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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