FY 2010 Appropriations move forward—so what’s next
As the House and Senate adjourn for the August recess, the Fiscal Year 2010 International Affairs Budget is on track to be funded at $51 billion. On July 9th, the House of Representatives passed its FY 2010 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations bill (H.R. 3081), and the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its own version of the bill (S. 1434). The State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill funds the largest component of the International Affairs Budget. While spending levels in both bills are $3.2 billion below President Obama’s budget request, this approved funding still reinforces the President’s commitment to double U.S. foreign assistance by 2015, increases civilian capacity, and elevates the smart power tools of diplomacy and development in U.S. global engagement.
During the House debate, four cutting amendments were defeated leaving intact the full $48.8 billion in funding provided in the bill. The USGLC and its members worked hard to ensure House Members knew how important this funding is, and the bill passed by a decisive vote of 318 to 106. In her opening statement introducing the bill, State, Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-18) said, “Let there be no doubt, this bill, which funds the U.S. diplomatic and development priorities, is a cornerstone of U.S. national security.”
The USGLC issued a statement praising Subcommittee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-18), and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX-12), for shepherding through this bipartisan bill that supports the Administration’s “smart power” agenda of elevating the importance of diplomacy and development in U.S foreign policy and national security.
With a slightly smaller funding level than its House counterpart, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s bill totaled $48.7 billion, or $100 million less than the House. The full Senate is not expected to vote on the bill until after the August recess. Since their will most likely be differences between the House and Senate bills , a House-Senate conference committee will need to determine final program spending levels .
In addition to the State, Foreign Operations Budget, the International Affairs Budget also includes International Food Aid and money for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Read the full House Budget Update
Read the full Senate Budget Update
Compare the Budget Numbers
