In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, Sen. Mitt Romney wrote that the GOP has two roads before them and that “the one ‘less traveled by’ would be to pass bills that would make things better.” According to an article in The Salt Lake Tribune, “he counseled the Republicans to work with Democrats in the coming Congress.” (Weissman, Nov. 12). This is sage advice that needs to be taken. One bill that should receive this bipartisanship effort is S.4466, Reauthorization of the Peace Corps.
As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I feel strongly that the Senate needs to pass this bill which would make important updates to this vital organization. The Peace Corps (PC) is only .01% of the total defense fund yet has served and impacted countless people in over 142 countries in areas of education, health, the environment and more.
The PC volunteers then return and are ready to help make this country better. PC has not been reauthorized in 20 years and is currently without a permanent director. Congress must do its part now that midterm elections are over and take Romney’s advice to pass bills that will make things better by working together. They need to pass S.4466 and confirm Carol Spahn as PC director. There is a fork in the road, which direction will they choose?
To read about PC go to: www.peacecorps.gov.
To support PC, contact Sens. Mitt Romney and Mike Lee by visiting advocacy.peacecorpsconnect.org.
Nadia Rockwood, Centerville