PSC Calls for Additional Appropriations to Fund COVID-19 Foreign Relief Efforts

Arlington, Va. (April 23, 2020) Today, the Professional Services Council (PSC) is releasing a letter signed by 35 firms from its Council of International Development Companies (CIDC) who work both in the United States and internationally supporting the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other federal agencies. PSC’s letter was sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Senate/House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittees, as well as other key Congressional committees and individual members.


The letter asks Congress to provide additional appropriations of at least $12 billion to fund critical needs concerning the COVID-19 global health pandemic, emergency economic relief/humanitarian assistance, and ongoing frontline operations.


“PSC’s CIDC members have decades of experience responding to crises around the world, including combatting lethal and highly contagious diseases such as SARS and Ebola, and operating in highly unstable, dangerous and sometimes violent locations,” said Alan Chvotkin, PSC’s Executive Vice President & Counsel.  


The letter noted CIDC concerns with the global impact of COVID-19 as the virus causes disruptions to the health and livelihoods of billions around the globe, the medical infrastructures of fragile states, as well as democratic institutions vital to improving economic and social fabric of these nations – all key allies and trading partners of the United States.


“It is essential to recognize the global impact of COVID-19 and how it affects the United States if not addressed overseas,” continued Chvotkin. “The funding request is indicative of the severity of the need and how our national security is connected to response efforts – both to highlight the support our country continues to extend to our allies and to demonstrate that other nations who may be providing assistance continue to do so without significant strings attached.” 


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Media Contact:
Pheniece Jones
Director, Media Relations 
703.875.8974
media@pscouncil.org 


About PSC: PSC is the voice of the government technology and professional services industry. PSC’s more than 400 member companies represent small, medium and large businesses that provide federal agencies with services of all kinds, including information technology, engineering, logistics, facilities management, operations and maintenance, consulting, international development, scientific, social, environmental services, and more. Together, the trade association’s members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans in all 50 states. Follow PSC on Twitter @PSCSpeaks. To learn more, visit www.pscouncil.org.