Hillary Clinton joins advocacy group for foreign aid

Clinton joins former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, former lawmakers and every other living secretary of state — Colin Powell is honorary chairman — on the council. The news comes as foreign aid is once again on the chopping block in Congress as lawmakers seek to rein in the deficit.

{mosads}“Throughout her entire political life as First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has been a tireless supporter of the International Affairs Budget and the importance of global development and diplomacy,” Executive Director Liz Schrayer said in a statement. “We look forward to having her leadership and expertise as we promote the importance of U.S. global engagement to our national security and economic prosperity.”

The coalition is a broad network of more than 400 businesses and nonprofit groups that advocates for development and diplomatic engagement. They argue that foreign aid is a cost-effective way to spread U.S. influence.