Monthly Archives: December 2009
Nearly three months into the new fiscal year, the FY 10 Appropriations process was finalized over the weekend as President Obama signed the $636 billion Defense Appropriations bill. The measure includes $128 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but does not contain funding for the proposed troop increase in Afghanistan. Congress will consider [...]
With the House in recess for the remainder of the year, the Senate schedule remains very uncertain as Democrats try to muster the 60 votes necessary to move to a final vote on the health care bill. In the meantime, the Senate is prepared to vote tomorrow on the FY 10 Defense bill, the last [...]
“Raj Shah and America’s Development Future” Roll Call Bill Frist December 17, 2009 In most years, Senate deliberations over a nomination for administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, which leads American efforts to fight poverty and disease in the developing world, would pass without note. This year is different. American efforts [...]
How to hold the rich to their word Financial Times Jeffrey Sachs December 15, 2009 With days remaining in the Copenhagen climate talks, the rich have finally begun to discuss climate financing for the poor. The negotiating round has gone on for two years with little serious discussion on financing and many other topics, a [...]
The House yesterday approved a $626 billion Pentagon spending measure, wrapping up the annual spending bills almost three months behind schedule. The Pentagon measure, which passed on a vote of 395 to 34, pays for continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Defense bill would provide $508 billion for the Defense Department’s regular activities and [...]
Yesterday the USGLC congratulated the 247 Members of Congress (58 Senators and 189 House Members) who signed letters to the President encouraging him to submit a robust International Affairs Budget request for FY 2011. Several sponsors of the letter, including Senators Kerry and Lugar, and Representatives Berman and Schock, spoke about the importance of this [...]
Congress cleared a Consolidated Appropriations spending bill on Sunday that completes the FY 2010 International Affairs Budget, providing a total of $50.9 billion. There are two ways to compare FY 2009 to the FY 2010 funding levels, creating some confusion. The FY10 figures represent a 4.1% cut from total funding for FY09. However, Congress added [...]
Demonstrates Bipartisan Commitment to Elevating Development and Diplomacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) congratulates the record-setting 247 Members of Congress (58 Senators and 189 Representatives) who signed bipartisan letters calling on President Obama to request a robust International Affairs Budget in his FY11 Budget submission. The signatories represent Members from across [...]
Huffington Post “Time to Make U.S. Foreign Policy Assistance Work — for Women and Men” Ritu Sharma December 14, 2009 A year into the new Administration, there are hopeful signs that Washington is serious about elevating global development to be the third pillar of U.S. foreign policy, alongside diplomacy and defense. A year after being [...]
