‘Gifts’ That Pay Off Big for the Giver

The House Republicans’ scorched earth policy on foreign aid would decimate U.S. overseas assistance and severely reduce Washington’s global influence. Moderation must now prevail in the Senate. Tough fiscal realities of course require budget cuts and the elimination of excesses. However, the severe cuts made by the House could curtail the President’s ability to direct foreign policy.

Americans have understood the value of foreign aid especially since the Marshall Plan prevented war-torn Europe from falling into chaos. In today’s climate there must be new financial limits, but a reasonable investment abroad still can provide dividends at home.

The political stability that aid can promote in foreign lands helps stanch the hemorrhage of refugees produced by war and oppression. That, in turn, benefits the United States, which over the years has had to cope with waves of often scared and destitute people entering the country illegally.

Promoting health care in Africa and other poor areas is more than compassion; it also reduces the potential of deadly diseases that can spread to the United States.

Stronger economies overseas create new markets and lucrative business opportunities for American firms. In this sense, foreign aid is sound domestic investment.

The bill passed by the House last week would cut foreign aid to nearly every recipient. African nations would take the hardest hit, a loss of nearly 35% from last year’s level. Only the nascent democracy of South Africa would get adequate assistance.

The former Soviet Union would lose big. With the Cold War over, some changes are in order, but it is in American interest to see that the former Soviet republics, still armed with nuclear weaponry, have incentives to remain politically stable as they make the transition from communism to capitalism.

Aid to Israel and Egypt would be maintained under the bill. The two sacred cows would get more than $5 billion in military and economic aid to support their peace, which is a solid moral objective and also provides a buffer against anti-Western radicals in the Middle East.

The House legislation is fostered by a swelling spirit of isolationism, even xenophobia. Farsighted Americans, however, realize that the United States cannot keep out foreign problems by building impenetrable walls.

Fixing the foreign aid bill in the Senate won’t be easy because Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) chairs the Foreign Relations Committee. But more reasonable Senate Republicans, such as Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who wants to occupy the White House, must see that this Neanderthal ideologue does not undermine the American impulse of generosity and enlightened self-interest.