(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Congressman Chip Cravaack introduced an amendment to H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The amendment would cut all federal funding for the United States Institute of Peace.

“After four years of massive deficit spending and with a ballooning national debt, we must look for ways to rein in Washington’s out of control spending and begin the process of getting our fiscal house back in order,” said Cravaack. “The U.S. Institute of Peace’s goals are important and honorable. However, a number of other departments, agencies and non-profit organizations – many of which do not depend on the federal government for funding – can help achieve that goal. Given our current fiscal constraints, I cannot justify spending over $42 million on the Institute of Peace.”

The amendment is supported by Citizens Against Government Waste, a non-partisan group whose mission is to eliminate waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in the federal government. It will now be considered before the entire U.S. House of Representatives. If the amendment is agreed to, it will become part of the final version of H.R. 1. A final vote on that bill is expected on the House Floor later this week.

Congressman Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee –the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science Committee. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota.