The Senate is now focused on FY2027 appropriations, and May and June offer a key window for advocacy as the process moves forward.

On the House side, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended $647 million for the Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) budget, a 3% decrease from FY2026 funding levels, which is encouraging given the proposed much larger cuts to the overall international affairs budget and to other programs within it. The accompanying report language in the House directs steady / flat funding for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) at $99.75 million, showing continued bipartisan support for our work in the Global Ties Network. 

As the Senate Appropriations Committee begins its hearings and looks ahead to mark up its funding bill in June, you can send a message to your Senator directly from this page, expressing support for $700.95 million for the Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) budget, including $99.75 million for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and maintaining IVLP as a dedicated line item in the budget.

The message here can be sent directly to your Senators with the click of a button. Thank you for your continued engagement and advocacy.