05/05/2025
PLEASE HELP SAVE CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS BY CONTACTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TODAY!
Take Action Now by clicking on the following link:
https://www.votervoice.net/EXCHANGE/Campaigns/126101/Respond
Released this past Friday, the President’s FY26 budget proposal would essentially eliminate State Department international exchange programs. We need you to write to your members of Congress now and tell them to reject this budget proposal! This FY26 “skinny” budget proposes to cut State Department international exchange programs by 93%. If Congress enacts this budget proposal, it would decimate and essentially eliminate the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and harm every corner of the exchange field and leave exchange programs and organizations, such as ARISE, as well as the jobs of more than 8,000 exchange professionals around the country at extreme risk. We need your help to tell Congress to reject this budget proposal and to fully fund international exchanges! Exchange programs are a proven investment in America – an investment in our economy, in our people, and in our foreign policy influence and interests. Congress needs to hear loud and clear that to expand America's global influence, it’s important to invest more in international exchanges, not less. Thank you for taking action at this pivotal moment. Please customize your messages to Congress with specific examples of how exchanges positively impact you, schools, families and your community. Additionally, please share this call to action widely across with friends and families!