The President’s IAB Funding Requests
Yesterday the USGLC applauded President Obama’s FY 11 International Affairs Budget request for $58.5 billion, 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 enactment of the war supplemental request that includes $4.5 billion for International Affairs accounts, it would represent a 2.8 percent increase over 2010 spending.
Speaking in support of the budget request, USGLC Honorary Chairman and former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said, “We live in a dangerous world and a world of opportunity. Increasing our diplomatic and development resources is absolutely critical and money well spent to deal with the dangers and seize the opportunities. I commend the President for his commitment to these urgently-needed investments in our nation’s economic and national security.”
