Many individuals know of the impending threat of global poverty on developing countries, and how these countries will fall to their demise if this threat does not diminish over time. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin is aware of this global threat and has wasted no time stepping up to the plate to offer his support for International Aid. Senator Ben Cardin has been an advocate for International Aid since the year of 2007, and has given much support towards the cause of Global Poverty. Cardin has sponsored and cosponsored legislation such as The Global Poverty Act, USAID, and The Social and Economic Development for the Americas Act, states The Political Guide. Within these bills and through his own advocacy, the Senator calls for a stronger commitment to International Development, International Aid, and Global Food Security Programs. As Chairman of the International Development and Foreign Assistance Subcommittee, Senator Ben Cardin “testified on the critical international development priorities supported by the International Affairs Budget, specifically the USAid and MCC budget request” states Cardin’s representative. While testifying, the Senator stated that the United States has never faced such complex global challenges. The Senator continued by stating that the most cost effective and long term solutions to these complex challenges would be to make an investment in global development. “It is also imperative that these programs show our commitment to promoting both gender equity and good governance in the countries which receive this assistance to ensure that it is spent most efficiently and effectively”, the Senator states. Senator Ben Cardin states that some “tough choices” will have to be made in the near future. For as these global challenges are approaching fast, the United States is also going through some complex challenges as well, such as the recession and serious budget deficits. He strongly defends these International Aid organizations, stating that cutting aid to these programs will not help solve the American budget problem, and would only increase the problem abroad. “These cuts would have real consequences. It would affect the 5 million children who could be denied treatment for malaria; 400,000 people would be turned away from life-saving treatment for HIV/AIDS; and, farmers would lose access to the seeds, soils, and technical assistance that make their farms viable in the economy”, states Senator Cardin. Not only would the negativity be felt across the globe, but also within The United States as well.“These individual impacts, taken collectively, will affect global political and economic stability and security. These cuts would have real, negative ramifications for U.S. interests abroad and severely damage our efforts to promote human rights, democracy and free markets, which in turn, will lead to more instability, at – ironically – greater costs for U.S. taxpayers”, Mr. Cardin explains. The Senator explains that Americans should take responsibility and fulfill their moral obligation by helping those in need in developing countries. By helping those in need overseas, The United States will prosper as well. While Americans help reduce global poverty, the United States will be able to strengthen it’s own economy and national security. Reducing global poverty is a large task, yet Cardin has taken on the challenge. Senator Cardin has also taken on the responsibility of supporting Global Food Security Programs. The Senator has noted that programs such as these can save numerous lives and can transform economies, helping suffering countries obtain economic gains. He has noted that ending global hunger and poverty is a large monumental task, and that there will be many challenges while looking to end both. Yet the Senator encourages hope and faith that every individual can make a difference by becoming an advocate. The Senator has stated that “roughly 870 million people go to bed hungry each night, down from one billion a year ago, making the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the prevalence of undernourishment in the developing world by 2015 within reach.” Senator Ben Cardin acknowledges that an end to global hunger and poverty will not change overnight. Yet, by making these small investments in International Aid, we are investing in prosperity. Not only for the prosperity of American Citizens, but also for other’s prosperity as well. – Grace Beal Sources: The Political Guide, Sen. Ben Cardin, Opportunity International Photo: Georgetown