In response to President Trump’s first address to the United Nations today, Oxfam America’s president, Abby Maxman, made the following statement.
“In his first address to the UN General Assembly, President Trump spoke fiercely about America’s sovereignty. However, it’s not American’s sovereignty that is in question, but rather America’s leadership on the world stage.
“From a belligerent approach with America’s allies to escalating tensions with North Korea, from slashing foreign assistance to pulling away from global efforts to tackle climate change, Mr. Trump continues on a path that will cost America its global influence and leadership.
“While President Trump touted many benefits of the life-saving foreign assistance in front of world leaders, these very same programs are facing devastating cuts in the President’s budget.
“As he sought – and received – applause from world leaders for his mention of women’s empowerment programs, his proposed budget seeks to eliminate funding for key U.S. programs, including the Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues, a development assistance funding account that historically provided over $250 million for gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as crucial funding for agencies like the UNFPA. Talk is cheap when you don’t fund the efforts you tout.
“And although President Trump discussed continuing to support local host countries that accept refugees – something we hope he continues – it is vitally important that the U.S. also upholds our legacy of welcoming and resettling refugees here at home.
“It is not an either or proposition to provide assistance to refugees overseas or support their resettlement here in the U.S. We can and must do both. We urge President Trump and Congress to not slam the door on refugees and to admit, at the very least, 75,000 of the world’s most vulnerable refugees over the next 12 months. A cornerstone of the founding values of the U.S. was to offer oppressed people refuge from violence and persecution. We must uphold that legacy.”
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