WASHINGTON, D.C., April 2, 2025 – Bill O'Keefe, Executive Vice President of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), along with other organizations, is urgently calling on Congress to protect and prioritize poverty-reducing international humanitarian and development assistance in FY26 Appropriations.
In a written testimony submitted to the House Subcommittee on National Security and the Department of State, O'Keefe urged Congress to maintain funding for critical programs that address global health, development, disaster relief and migration challenges. The total funding request for these programs amounts to about $30 billion.
O'Keefe shared the Catholic Church’s vision for U.S. international humanitarian assistance at a pivotal time when the U.S. government is realigning its priorities. Celebrating the Jubilee year in 2025, the Church emphasizes global solidarity, aligning U.S. humanitarian efforts with values of human dignity, solidarity and the common good. O'Keefe stressed that these initiatives are not just charitable acts but strategic investments that protect human life, making the world safer, stronger and more prosperous.
“The dignity of every human being is central to our mission, and U.S. international assistance must reflect that commitment,” said O’Keefe. He added, “America can be the safest, strongest, most prosperous nation in the world. But if we achieve those goals, only to realize that our brothers and sisters are still barely surviving, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean to be the most powerful and wealthy nation in the world if we do not use our position to support the life and dignity of our neighbors?”
This vision calls for both immediate humanitarian response and long-term development. It includes supporting funding for morally appropriate global health programs that build resilient health systems, advocating for poverty reduction initiatives that help families rise above poverty and empowering local organizations, especially faith-based groups, to ensure aid is culturally relevant and effective. It also urges partnerships with governments and the private sector to foster stable, peaceful communities and create environments where vulnerable families can thrive.
“As we celebrate the Jubilee year, we are reminded that our global family is united in the pursuit of peace, prosperity and dignity for all,” O'Keefe added.
O'Keefe thanked Congress for the opportunity to share this vision and looks forward to continued collaboration to create a more peaceful, prosperous and dignified world for all families, both at home and abroad.
