For more than 1.4 billion people around the world struggling to survive on less than $1 a day, international aid is a lifeline – supporting programs that fight poverty and help disaster victims, like the millions in Haiti and Pakistan, to rebuild their lives, homes and businesses.

Unfortunately, Congress is poised to make sweeping cuts this week to this desperately needed aid unless we can convince them not to.

Tough economic times have led to a growing desire to cut budgets and many have argued that we should start with international assistance. But investing in a more secure and prosperous world is not only morally responsible, it’s also fiscally responsible.

Making these cuts would be short-sighted and would hurt millions of people struggling to feed their families.

Time is of the essence -- the House of Representatives has already voted to make sweeping cuts to this much-needed aid and it is up to us to help convince the Senate not to follow their lead.

The Senate will vote on the 2011 budget this week -- please send your senators a letter urging them to reject these cuts today.