Project Description
State of Play
The US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) works in our nation’s capital and across the country to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools — development and diplomacy — alongside defense. By advocating for a strong International Affairs Budget, the USGLC works to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. However, each fiscal year the International Affairs Budget faces a Congressional appropriation debate.
Now more than ever, American leadership is critical to building a safer and more prosperous world. All across the country, the USGLC brings together a diverse and innovative “strange bedfellows” coalition of business, military, faith, and humanitarian leaders.
Action
With strong and growing state coalitions, the USGLC works to educate and engage policymakers and community leaders on why investments in development and diplomacy help keep America safe and prosperous.
Recognizing the importance of local voices, the USGLC called on Highland Advocacy Group to build and enhance 27 State Advisory Committees. These State Advisory Committees are comprised of veterans, small business owners, and faith-based leaders who, once recruited, consistently advocate for the international affairs budget.
In sum, across these 27 states, Highland identified and recruited more than 800 community and political leaders to join this important network. These committee members believe their state benefits when America leads in the world through investments in development and diplomacy.
Impact
Highland Advocacy Group and the USGLC worked across the country to educate community leaders and members of Congress on the positive impact that U.S. international affairs programs have on a local, state, and nationwide level.
Each year Highland has partnered with the USGLC, the International Affairs Budget has won Congressional approval. This budget approval is critical; it is required to fund the Department of State, USAID, and programs like PEPFAR so America can carry out its missions worldwide.