US Presidency
1964

We will continue with the direct economic assistance which has been a vital part of our policy for more than 20 years. Last year the Congress reduced foreign aid from an original request of $ 4.9 billion, later modified by General Clay's time; I to $ 4.5 billion, and Congress reduced that to a total of $ 3.4 billion that they appropriated to me to deal with the problems of the 120 nations. This year I ordered that our request be cut to the absolute minimum consistent with our commitments and our security, allowing for no cushions or no padding, and that was done. 1 Committee to Strengthen the Security of the free World. Every dollar cut from that request for $ 3.4 billion will directly diminish the security of the United States and you citizens.