In June 2025, Global Ties U.S. in collaboration with 10 Community-Based Member (CBM) organizations from the nationwide Global Ties Network, submitted Outside Witness Testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) to urge support for international exchange programs funding in FY 2026. This testimony emphasizes the importance of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as an effective U.S. foreign policy tool that strengthens our national security, and boosts the economy and workforce right here at home. Read the testimony below.
Outside Witness Testimony — June 2025
Prepared for the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
Addressing FY 2026 Appropriations for the U.S. Department of State, Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) Programs, with a focus on funding for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
Dear Chairman Graham, Ranking Member Schatz, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee,
I submit the following Outside Witness Testimony in support of FY 2026 funding for U.S. Department of State Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) Programs, with a focus on the flagship U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
I present this on behalf of Global Ties U.S., the national leader in connecting U.S. citizens and communities with global leaders through international exchange and public diplomacy programs that make the United States a safer, stronger, and more prosperous nation. I am also proud to submit this on behalf of our nationwide Global Ties Network, an agile, reliable, and consistent partner to the U.S. Department of State
in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals. The Global Ties Network includes 75 Community-Based Member organizations that implement exchange programs primarily funded via the ECE budget in 115 cities and towns across all 50 U.S. states each year. What unites us is our commitment to excellence in implementing the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and serving as the national infrastructure for U.S. public diplomacy programs that engage U.S. citizens. Joining me in this submission are the leaders of our Network’s Community-Based Member organizations representing the states of most of the Subcommittee’s members.
We know firsthand the value that U.S. public diplomacy and international exchange programs bring to our national security and to the economic prosperity of our cities and workforces. We join today in asking for your support to secure the Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) budget at $741 million and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) at $105 million in the FY 2026 appropriations process.
The IVLP is our country’s flagship exchange program and one of the most effective, low- cost U.S. foreign policy tools that exists; helping our frontline diplomats at U.S. embassies identify and influence key international leaders and decision-makers. The IVLP creates networks of current and future political, civic, and business leaders in areas critical for our national security, such as law enforcement, cybersecurity, science, and emerging technologies. IVLP alumni include more than 550 current and past heads of states, a dozen Nobel Laureates, and 230,000+ leaders in nearly every professional field.
IVLP also makes us stronger and more prosperous because it happens in our cities and towns. These global influencers learn about and build trust with the United States while traveling across the United States. Consequentially, the nationwide Global Ties Network contributes to American prosperity by generating an 11:1 return on the investment for the U.S. economy overall. In our last program year, we turned $7.1 million in federal funding for our Community-Based Member organizations into $81.7 million in local economic impact. This economic impact extends to our workforce. Among the 250,000 American volunteers who participate in these exchange programs through their communities, 63% of those surveyed say they have acquired new skills that enable them to perform their jobs more effectively right here at home.
The United States needs this competitive edge for our workforce, for our economic security, and for our U.S. foreign policy to succeed. In the growing competition for global influence, IVLP and other exchanges help counter the influence of adversaries and promote U.S. interests with international leaders. The U.S. public diplomacy playbook is the envy of the world, and of China especially. China now outspends us 4:1 in public diplomacy, spending roughly $8 billion a year to influence global populations to advance its political objectives. IVLP and other U.S. Department of State-funded exchange programs in the ECE budget are low-cost, effective tools that help maintain and build America’s influence. They are one of the best returns on investment in the federal government.
The Global Ties Network creates strong and enduring value for U.S. foreign policy and for our American communities, consistently delivering in its ability to support U.S. national and economic security in all 50 states. A cut to IVLP would mean losing this national infrastructure that America leverages annually to support our alliances, and our citizens.
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, we respectfully request your support to secure FY 2026 funding for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs at no less than the current enacted level ($741 million), and within that at least $105M for the IVLP to help the Global Ties Network support the U.S. government in making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous – and to support local businesses and communities in your home states.
We thank you for your support and leadership.
SIGNED BY:
Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President & CEO, Global Ties U.S.
Jacquelyn Shipe, Chief Executive Officer, Global Ties Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama
Toni Carr, Executive Director, Global Ties Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas
David Santoro, President & CEO, Pacific Forum International, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jennifer Lundeen Dixon, Executive Director, WorldChicago, Chicago, Illinois
Courtney Brooks, President & CEO, Global Ties KC, Kansas City, Kansas / Missouri
Xiao Yin Zhao, President, World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky
Tim Horgan, Executive Director, World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, Manchester, New Hampshire
Bob Lieser, Senior Director, Tulsa Global Alliance, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon, Portland, Oregon
Dickson Monk, Executive Director, Columbia World Affairs Council, Columbia, South
Carolina