President John F. Kennedy's 60th News Conference - August 20, 1963

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. The House of Representatives begins this week consideration of legislation vital to the security and well being of the United States and the free world, the Mutual Defense and Assistance Bill of 1963. I hope the House will give full support to the authorization recommended by the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Our foreign aid program is essential to the continued strength of the free world. It gives us increased military security at a cost far lower than if we had to carry the entire burden alone. It gives protection against Communist internal takeover to free people who are yet not able to build solidly without outside help. It provides essential assurances to the new nations of the world that they can count on us in their effort to build a free society. Only with this assurance can they continue to maintain against the pressures that are brought upon them.
This does not represent an impossible burden for the United States; indeed, it is only half as heavy as it was during the Marshall Plan. Then about 2 percent of our gross national product was allocated to foreign assistance. The program today costs only seven-tenths of one percent. The bill before the House has already been cut $850 million from our original estimate last January. Fortunately, the bill now has bipartisan political support. More than half of the Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs committee are in favor of the $4.1 billion authorization now before the House. This program is not an abstract set of numbers, but a set of concrete and continued actions in support of our national security. No party or group should call for a dynamic foreign policy and then seek to cripple this program. One wonders which concrete actions critics would like to stop. Should we scrap the Alliance For Progress, which is our best answer to the threat of communism in this Hemisphere? Should we deny help to India, the largest free power in Asia, as she seeks to strengthen herself against Communist China? Do we wish to dismantle our joint defenses in Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Greece, countries along the very rim of Communist power? Do we want to weaken our front in Southeast Asia?
This is no time to slacken our efforts. This fight is by no means over. The struggle is not finished. Therefore, as has been said on many occasions before, however tired we may get of this program, our adversaries are not tired. I don't think this country is tired, and the cause of freedom should certainly not be fatigued. Therefore, I think it is necessary that we continue to make this effort. I hope the House will support it. Eighty percent of these funds are spent in the United States, and I think it is necessary and essential, as the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, General Clay and others, that the House figure be passed.
Experience shows us that the appropriation traditionally has been less. I think it is incumbent upon us to support the action of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I hope the House of Representatives will.