Budget Process Slowing Down
As the health care debate continues to occupy a significant amount of time on Capitol Hill, it’s looking more likely that the Senate’s $48.7 billion State, Foreign Operations bill for FY 2010, which is the largest portion of the International Affairs Budget, will not move on its own through the final stages of Congressional consideration. Rather, the measure will likely be put together in a larger “mini-bus” package with other appropriations bills in order to expedite the approval process.
The House approved its version of the State, Foreign Operations bill back in July, but the full Senate has yet to take up the measure. Since fiscal year 2010 began on October 1 with only one of twelve appropriations bills enacted, Congress passed a stop-gap funding measure (Continuing Resolution) to keep the federal government open until the remaining appropriations bills are adopted. Currently only four of the twelve appropriations bills have been approved by Congress and sent to the President for his signature. The current Continuing Resolution expires on Oct. 31, so Congress will need to pass another stop-gap spending measure soon. Final action on the FY 2010 State, Foreign Operations bill may not take place until later next month.
Sens. Dodd, Durbin and Cardin Introduce Smart Power Resolution
Last week, Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), introduced S.Res.312, which expresses the support of the Senate for strengthening USAID as the principle development voice in the U.S. government. The resolution already has ten additional bipartisan co-sponsors and it calls for a “highly capable and knowledgeable individual” to be nominated “with all expediency and exigency” as USAID Administrator.
It also recommends the number of full-time Foreign Service Officers at USAID “substantially and transparently increase.” The resolution highlights the growing support in Congress for the need to bolster the smart power tools of development and diplomacy.
Thinking ahead to FY 2011
As Congress finishes its work on the FY 2010 International Affairs Budget, the USGLC is already thinking ahead to FY 2011 and the annual Congressional Budget Letter to the President. Right now we are beginning to work with key leaders on the Hill to secure the co-authors for a letter to the President requesting a robust FY 2011 International Affairs Budget.
Last year, a record 217 Members of Congress signed the Congressional Budget Letter, and we hope for an even better showing this year. Look for more information in the coming weeks about how you can take action to ensure your Senators and Representatives sign-on to this important letter.
