The Hill: George W. Bush: Foreign aid is in U.S. moral, national security interests
“Former President George W. Bush is defending foreign aid spending as a moral and security imperative in the face of massive cuts President Trump has proposed to State Department and U.N. agency budgets. In an interview with NPR aired Thursday, Bush said that the U.S. has an obligation to provide assistance to other countries faced with humanitarian crises. Failing to do so, he argued, only creates openings for extremists to spread an anti-American message…” (Greenwood, 4/13).

NPR: George W. Bush Calls Foreign Aid A Moral And Security Imperative
“…Bush dedicated billions to combating HIV/AIDS in Africa with a program called PEPFAR that still exists today. … He highlighted the program’s work and that of his post-presidency initiative to combat AIDS and cervical cancer during a recent trip to Africa. … He added, ‘I believe in this case that it’s in our national security interests as well as in our moral interest to continue funding this program’…” (Greene et al., 4/13).

POLITICO: George W. Bush makes case for foreign aid and immigration reform
“…Although Bush refrained from directly criticizing President Donald Trump in his comments, they contrast with the current Oval Office occupant’s call for dramatic cuts to the foreign aid budget and his hard-line rhetoric on immigration…” (Conway, 4/13).

U.S. News & World Report: Bush Offers Defense of Foreign Aid
“…President Donald Trump has proposed deep cuts to foreign aid as part of [his] ‘America First’ policy, including slashing [millions] from USAID and sharply reducing support for the United Nations, global development programs, and climate change initiatives. … Bush said [PEPFAR’s] success was proof that supporting global health initiatives is an important way to improve U.S. standing in the world — and thus make it more secure…” (Levy, 4/13).