2002 Ron Paul 29:1
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, Congress can perform
a great service to the American taxpayer,
as well as citizens in developing countries, by
rejecting HR 2604, which reauthorizes two
multilateral development banks, the International
Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) and the Asian Development Fund
(AsDF).
2002 Ron Paul 29:2
Congress has no constitutional authority to
take money from American taxpayers and
send that money overseas for any reason.
Furthermore, foreign aid undermines the recipient
countries’ long-term economic progress
by breeding a culture of dependency. Ironically,
foreign aid also undermines long-term
United States foreign policy goals by breeding
resentment among recipients of the aid, which
may manifest itself in a foreign policy hostile
to the United States.
2002 Ron Paul 29:3
If Congress lacks authority to fund an international
food aid program, then Congress certainly
lacks authority to use taxpayer funds to
promote economic development in foreign
lands. Programs such as the AsDF are not
only unconstitutional, but, by removing resources
from the control of consumers and
placing them under the control of bureaucrats
and politically-powerful special interests, these
programs actually retard economic development
in the countries receiving this “aid!” This
is because funds received from programs like
the AsDF are all-too-often wasted on political
boondoggles which benefit the political elites
in the recipient countries, but are of little benefit
to the individual citizens of those countries.
2002 Ron Paul 29:4
In conclusion, HR 2604 authorizes the continued
taking of taxpayer funds for unconstitutional
and economically destructive programs.
I therefore urge my colleagues to reject this
bill, return the money to the American taxpayers,
and show the world that the United
States Congress is embracing the greatest
means of generating prosperity: the free market.
