Preview of FY 2011 Budget Season

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.

As the House and Senate prepare their own budget resolutions sometime in March, the USGLC will be visiting key Members of Congress – both here in Washington and back in their home districts — to urge their strong support for increased funding for the International Affairs Budget. Please be prepared to respond to critical action alerts as we mobilize support for much-needed budget increases and work to defeat any proposed cuts to the International Affairs Budget.

As in years past, the USGLC will be fully engaged and mobilized at every step of the budget and appropriations process. This year promises to be a very difficult budget environment, and your efforts on behalf of the International Affairs Budget will continue to make a big difference.

Look to the USGLC as your primary source for the most up-to-date, “insider” analysis of developments on the International Affairs Budget.

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