SCI: Programs and Services - Legislative and Policy Resources

Legislative and Policy Resources

In this section you can stay up to date on the Sister Cities International Advocacy Campaign, check recent legislation that impacts exchanges and foreign policy, and have access to Congressional online resources and House and Senate committee information.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in our Advocacy Campaign, please contact Jim Doumas at jdoumas@sister-cities.org.

The 2009 Advocacy Strategy

In 2010, Sister Cities International continues on a two-track strategy of appropriations and authorization to promote the Strengthening America's Image Program. Below is an overview of the progress that has been made this year in both committees.

Appropriations Committee
With more than 40 appropriations requests submitted to key appropriators in Congress, we would like to acknowledge the support of Congressman Payne (NJ-10) and Senator Bond (MO) who submitted requests to the appropriations committee on our behalf. For the first time ever, Sister Cities International was mentioned in the Manager's Amendment of both the House and Senate Appropriations bills.

Foreign Relations and Foreign Affairs Authorizing Committees
Additional support was sought from the two authorizing committees for the State Department, the House Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. If recognized as an authorized program in the 2010-2011 State Department Re-Authorization Bill, SCI would be eligible to receive federal funding directly for the Strengthening America's Image Program.

Plans for 2010

Sister Cities International will maintain our appropriations objectives for FY2011, submitting appropriations requests to members early in the year. Preliminary work is also being done to connect with House Foreign Affairs Committee members to make inroads into inserting authorizing language for a 2011 Bill. We continue to look to our members to educate their Congressmen about local exchange work and the tremendous impact it has at the local level to garner their support of the Strengthening America's Image Program.

"Strengthening America's Image"
A Program of Sister Cities International

For fiscal year 2010, Sister Cities International is seeking funding from Congress for a national program that would provide Federal financial support to local Sister City communities. With the local matching component of this program, this program will result in a high return on investment for the federal government. The project will strengthen SCI's ability to support the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs mission to improve diplomatic channels between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through increasing the number of ongoing international exchanges and making it an important component of U.S. public diplomacy efforts.

Visit this section to find more information and updates regarding our Legislative Initiative including our One-Page overview and program details and Advocacy Resources that will give you an example of a letter of support and talking points if you want to reach out to your Members of Congress and show your support.

From Capitol Hill: Additional Legislative News

Click on this link to get recent news and speeches from Congressional hearings and see relevant legislation passed concerning exchanges and citizen diplomacy. On this page we provide links to US agency websites and their international relations offices, along with Congressional online resources where you can learn about what is being discussed on the Hill and find out more about your state's Congressional delegation.

How You Can Help