Military Leaders Urge Congress to Support IAB
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGC) released a letter today signed by 48 retired four- and three-star generals and flag officers calling on Congress to fully fund the President’s International Affairs Budget request. The military leaders underscore that the International Affairs Budget is “a fundamental pillar of U.S. national security and foreign policy” and state that the U.S. “must combine its strong military with robust, effective civilian tools of international development and diplomacy to secure its national interests.” Noting that the President’s FY 2011 International Affairs Budget request represents only 1.4% of the entire federal budget, the leaders ask Congress “to support no less than the Administration’s request of $58.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget.” Among the letter’s signatories are the USGLC’s National Security Advisory Committee Co-Chairs, Admiral James M. Loy, USGC (Ret.), Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard (‘98-’02); and General Michael W. Hagee, USMC (Ret.), Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps (‘03-‘06).
