The Way Forward on the FY11 International Affairs Budget
With every passing day, additional action by Congress on a FY 11 Budget Resolution (beyond the Senate Budget Committee’s April 22 markup) becomes increasingly unlikely. But discussions among House leaders are continuing in an attempt to forge a way forward that would reconcile competing demands from Blue Dogs and Progressives around funding levels for domestic, non-security discretionary spending. Also awaiting action are the FY 10 supplemental bills for the war (Frontline States) and Haiti. Action on these supplementals – and a measure to replenish FEMA’s disaster relief fund — has been delayed as Congressional leaders grapple with whether to move these measures in one package or individually. But the need to act soon is beginning to mount. Yesterday Senate Majority Leader Reid noted that Secretary of Defense Gates has said that Congress must enact the war supplemental before leaving for the Memorial Day recess.
