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Peace Corps at the crossroads

As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and member of the Inland Northwest Peace Corps Association (INPCA), I understand the value of Peace Corps service abroad and the tremendous dividend volunteers provide to local communities when they come home.

Sixty years ago, Peace Corps was established with a spirit of service, cooperation, development assistance and friendship. These values are needed now – in the COVID-19 era – as never before. I hope my elected representatives feel the same.

However, the Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed at $51 million cut to Peace Corps. This would come after six years of flat funding for the agency and its volunteers. We need to rebuild Peace Corps to greatness, the first step is to make sure the agency does not lose momentum. The House is recommending stable funding of $410.5 million for Peace Corps. With opportunities to recover past cutbacks, implement and improve important reforms and redeploy the next generation of volunteers, stable funding for the agency is warranted.

It is my hope that Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers will reach out to other congressional leadership and urge that Congress accept the House recommendation of stable Peace Corps funding for the remainder of the current, 2021 Fiscal Year.

Peace Corps is at a key crossroad in its history. By giving voice to its positive impact in the world, our state delegation can be a leading voice for Peace Corps in its moment of need.

Kay Dixon

Spokane

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