US lawmakers voted to reject an amendment proposed by representative Lauren Boebert that would have stripped funding from Fulbright – the flagship exchange program – as part of the FY2027 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs appropriations Bill.
The House subsequently approved the spending Bill, which includes USD $647 million for educational and cultural exchange programs. Although below the Alliance for International Exchange‘s request of USD $700.95m, the figure is substantially higher than the Trump administration’s FY2027 budget proposal, which sought a 68% cut to exchange funding.
The vote comes after sustained lobbying from the sector – more than 2,800 advocates sent over 3,100 messages to members of Congress urging them to oppose the amendment.
“It’s important to acknowledge the strong support in Congress that’s always existed for the Fulbright program, support so strong the amendment was unlikely to gain traction and move forward,” Mark Overmann, executive director of the Alliance for International Exchange, told The PIE News.
“That being said, the overwhelming bipartisan vote against the amendment reinforces the fact that we have champions on the Hill that are willing to fight for exchanges.”
During debate on the Bill, senior lawmakers from both parties publicly defended Fulbright, showing widespread support for the program from across the political spectrum.
The overwhelming bipartisan vote against the amendment reinforces the fact that we have champions on the Hill that are willing to fight for exchanges
Mark Overmann, Alliance for International Exchange
Representative Lois Frankel, described Fulbright as a “smart investment” and “one of the most well-established and prestigious programs in the world”.
Meanwhile, committee chair Mario Diaz-Balart called Fulbright the “crown jewel” of US exchange programs, saying ambassadors appointed by President Trump had told him the initiative was an important national security tool in South America.
Overmann described the House funding proposal as “a step in the right direction” given the administration’s proposed cuts.
“Given the significant cuts put forward in the President’s budget request and the current funding climate, we’re pleased to see this showing of bipartisan support,” he said.
“As we consider the future of the bill, which is now in the hands of the Senate for the foreseeable future, we’re continuing to advocate for a final FY27 bill that includes the strong oversight provisions and earmarks that were part of the FY26 Bill.”
The Alliance also credited sustained advocacy efforts from the international education sector with helping to preserve congressional support for exchanges.
“In the past 18 months, exchange advocates sent over 73,000 messages to Members of Congress encouraging them to show their support for exchanges,” said Overmann.
“And they did. An example of this advocacy in action is the FY26 final funding Bill, which included strong funding for exchanges in a difficult funding environment, and included oversight language to ensure funding processes were protected.”
Attention now turns to the Senate, which is drafting its own version of the FY2027 appropriations bill before the two chambers negotiate a final funding package.
The Alliance said it hopes the Senate proposal will increase funding for exchange programs and retain the oversight measures introduced in last year’s spending legislation.
