The amendment would simply rescind unobligated funds for several international outreach and foreign aid programs that have been flagged in the past for being unnecessary and wasting taxpayer dollars, and apply those funds to offset the cost of emergency spending to combat the coronavirus domestically.

The continued spread of the COVID-19 virus worldwide, including now in a number of US states, has justly caused significant public concern. As Congress moves to fund efforts to combat the spread of the disease, however, it should not forget its duty to avoid burdening future generations with unnecessary new deficit spending.