“Advocacy win” as US exchange programs funding slash avoided

The FY25 House State Foreign, Operations and Related Programs funding bill saw amendments introduced by Republican lawmakers on June 20, with three separate aims:

• Florida representative Brian Mast’s Amendment 38, which would have eliminated exchange program funding for the State department completely
• Oklahoma representative Josh Brecheen’s Amendment 1, which would have reduced funding by $20m
• Arizona representative Paul Gosar’s Amendment 13, which would have prohibited further funding for the TechCamp program.

TechCamp is a public diplomacy program that operates under the US’ Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs within the State department.

Workshops are described as “hands-on” and “participant-driven”, connecting “private sector technology experts with key populations” including NGOs, journalists and civil society advocates, in order to apply tech solutions to global issues.

Mast’s amendment was withdrawn the night before the vote on June 26, and Brecheen and Gosar’s amendments were defeated 246-164 and 254-156 respectively.

The Alliance for International Exchange, spearheaded by Mark Overmann, led the charge to defeat the bills, calling on as many in the sector as possible to write letters to their Representatives and encouraging them to vote against the amendments.

Some 2,456 letters were sent to 391 Representatives, it was reported.

Speaking to The PIE News, Overmann called the withdrawal of Mast’s bill an “advocacy win”, and said it was indeed “good news” when the two others were voted down.

Senator John Boozman, a Republican representing the US state of Arkansas, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that foreign exchange programs help “break down cultural barriers and better connect our world” on the day of the vote.

“Siloam Springs high school student Celeste spent the past school year in Germany. I recently enjoyed hearing stories of her experiences studying abroad,” he added.

In an announcement to its members, the Alliance gave its thanks to Democratic congress members Barbara Lee from California and Gregory Meeks from New York for their speeches on exchange programs during the debate on the amendments.

“The Department of State educational and cultural exchanges account funds people to people engagement which supports our country’s foreign policy objectives. These programs foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and of other countries and promote peace and understanding,” Lee said.

“Lord knows we need this… These programs also help us understand those who may or may not share our values but we at least have an opportunity to engage,” she added.

Advocates also took to LinkedIn to show their excitement over the win.

“The entire exchange community across the nation rallied and successfully with Bi-partisan support stopped all three amendments that threatened the future of educational and cultural exchanges,” said president of cultural exchange company Intrax, Marcie Schneider.

“Exchanges make the world a better place for all of us,” she continued.