The Kerry-Lugar Amendment passed in the Senate today, restoring $4 billion in funding that had been cut from the international affairs budget, which includes crucial funding for diplomatic, health, and development programs.

Actual bipartisan cooperation that lead to a positive outcome.  I'm happy.

In the midst of a global economic crisis, foreign assistance is important now more than ever.  The world's weakest need support to prevent disease, provide education for their communities, and ensure essential health services. 

We must keep moving forward in our efforts to lift up the nations most in need by both providing the resouces needed within communities to enable progress and by leading the international community by example in renewing the United States' commitment to global health and development.

It's great to see that Senators on both sides of the aisle can see the value of these investments.