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FY11 International Affairs Budget Request
By Jordan Smith at 2 February, 2010, 2:01 pm
Budget season officially began on Monday with a bang, as the President submitted his FY11 Budget, which includes a strong $58.5 billion request for the International Affairs Budget, a $6.1 billion increase over current spending levels. The bulk of the increase (59%) is concentrated on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, leaving a modest growth of $2.5 billion for all other International Affairs programs. Assuming Congress approves the new war supplemental request that includes $4.5 billion for International Affairs accounts, it would represent a 2.8 percent increase over 2010 spending.
This marks the ninth year in a row that a president requested an increase in the International Affairs Budget, a clear sign of the bipartisan recognition that the United States’ civilian capacity is drastically underfunded. Click here to read USGLC’s in-depth analysis of the FY11 International Affairs Budget request.
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Preview of FY 2011 Budget Season
By Jordan Smith at 22 January, 2010, 9:30 am
The FY11 Budget season will formally kick off when President Obama delivers his State of the Union address next Wednesday, January 27th, and then submits his budget request to Congress on Monday, February 1st. Keep your eyes out for the USGLC’s full analysis of the International Affairs Budget request shortly after the release on Feb. 1 We’ll be watching closely to see if the President’s request matches his commitment to double U.S. foreign assistance by 2015. This is a promise he has made since his campaign, and one that is so necessary as our civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy are already underfunded and undermanned.
The House and Senate will conduct a series of hearings on the FY11 Budget in February as they craft their own budget blueprint. Expect hearings before the House and Senate Budget Committees, as well as the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees on the International Affairs Budget. The USGLC will be covering all the hearings and bringing you the latest developments. Read More…
New USGLC Military Co-Chairs to Focus on Importance of Civilian Led Efforts
By Jordan Smith at 22 January, 2010, 1:06 am
The USGLC is proud to announce General Michael W. Hagee, USMC (Ret.) and Admiral James M. Loy, USCG (Ret.) as the new co-chairs to its National Security Advisory Council (NSAC). This prestigious group of over 50 retired three- and four-star generals and admirals represents all five branches of the Armed Forces united in support of strengthening America’s national security with the increased use of non-military tools and better civilian/military coordination.
Having a greater military voice is extremely important right now as the debate heats up around appropriate civilian and military efforts. This week, it was reported the Pentagon will still be in charge of U.S. foreign security assistance funding in FY 2011, despite many calls for it to be transferred to the State Department.
