California Legislature Passes Resolution Calling for the Trump Administration to Fully Fund the Fulbright US Student Program

August 20, 2018

Sacramento –  Today the California Legislature passed a resolution authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D- San Francisco) calling for the Federal Government to fully fund the Fulbright program with the $252 million that was previously committed. The current federal budget proposal for 2019 suggests a 71 percent cut to the Fulbright program for the next fiscal year.  If the Fulbright budget is cut so drastically, the program will not be able to support its 8,000 students currently overseas. Since its founding in 1946, the Fulbright Program has been known as the gold standard in international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, and a leading outlet for US soft diplomacy around the world. 

“It is a shame that this administration is attempting to eviscerate a program with such a tremendous history,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “For the last 72 years the Fulbright program has helped to foster better relationships between countries around the world and has helped promote international peace. The United States should stand by one of its most effective and important tools in foreign exchange, education, and diplomacy. I am proud that the California Legislature understands the value of the Fulbright program, and that it passed this resolution.”

Under its current funding regime, the Fulbright Program has helped develop 84 Pulitzer Prize winners, 71 MacArthur Foundation fellows, 59 Nobel Prize recipients, 37 heads of state, 10 members of Congress, and many elected officials and staff in California state government.

Read the full text of the resolution here.