Senator Rand Paul arguing for foreign aid in his recent filibuster has brought a bit more attention to his input on every part of the budget and sequester discussions. Paul’s impressive 13 hours filibuster regarding the use of military drones against U.S. citizens didn’t only shine the spotlight on the issue of drones, it brought the senator’s opinions themselves to the center of a national discussion. Paul claimed yesterday that foreign aid makes the United States less secure.

Read more about how foreign aid helps national security. First, it is important to remember that foreign aid is still less than 1% of the national budget. Yet when talks about budget cuts come up it seems like foreign aid is always about to get the axe while other expenditures, many related to military involvement, are apparently untouchable. Even military professionals overwhelmingly support foreign aid and non-military aid to developing countries and allies. In fact, 84% of military officers said that strengthening non-military tools, such as diplomacy, foreign aid, and development efforts, should be at least equal to strengthening military efforts.

Building self-sufficient communities and providing job opportunities and growing local economies are all essential to combating the root causes of terrorism. By supplying foreign aid to developing countries around the world we are avoiding future conflict while building stronger, positive relationships with the rest of the world and opening potential markets for American business. In the end, we really shouldn’t be thinking of cutting foreign aid anymore, the distribution of aid allows the United States to further ensure its’ national security, strengthen political ties, and create trading opportunities around the globe.

– Kevin Sullivan

Sources: PolicyMic, Global Poverty and National Security