U.S. Capitol This Week August 19-23

George Soros, founder of Open Society. 

The White House

A coalition of 101 organizations has requested a significant increase in funding for global LGBTQ+ rights programs for the FY 2026 budget. They propose $40 million for the State Department's Global Equality Fund and another $40 for USAID's Protection of LGBTQ+ Persons program. They claim increased funding would support broader national security and development goals, citing studies linking LGBTQ+ acceptance to stronger democracies and economic growth. See an opposing view here. 

The Biden administration has allocated $4.1 billion for LGBTQ+ projects in at least 55 countries as part of its human rights initiatives. However, this funding has faced resistance from socially conservative countries, which often view it as an imposition of Western ideologies. Russia, Uganda, Poland, and Hungary have enacted laws countering U.S.-funded LGBTQ+ initiatives. 

Non-Governmental Organizations

Open Society Foundation (OSF), a George Soros foundation, is undergoing a significant restructuring under Alex Soros's leadership, with plans to cut up to 80% of staff in key European offices. OSF has historically supported abortion and LGBTQ+ rights through financial backing and strategic assistance. The reduction of OSF's support, global pushback against U.S. funding, and new information from studies like the Cass Review may signal changing attitudes towards so-called LGBTQ+ rights globally. This shift in focus could open up opportunities to allocate resources towards  less ideologically driven humanitarian efforts, fostering greater unity and addressing broader societal needs.