Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Cut to the International Affairs Budget
Yesterday the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY11 appropriations allocations that include a $2.6 billion cut to the President’s funding request for the International Affairs Budget. The USGLC released a statement, saying, “While we appreciate Chairman Inouye’s efforts to restore some of the cut that came out of the Budget Committee earlier this year, we are very concerned at the decrease in funding for these critical programs.” During the mark-up, Senator Inouye said “The nation is asking more from our Department of State as it expands its roll in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. I have reluctantly recommended this reduced funding level in recognition of the need to reduce overall spending.” In total, the Senate’s appropriations allocations cut $14 billion from the President’s FY11 budget request.
