Excerpts from the Senate & House Committee Hearings on the FY11 International Affairs Budget
February 24 and 25, 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Why Investments in the International Affairs Budget Matter
- “At a time of change and challenge at home and abroad, these investments will enhance the security of Americans, assure the future American leadership, and help build the foundations of peace, stability, and prosperity in the years ahead.”
- “We can bury our heads in the sand and pay the consequences later, or we can make hard-nosed, targeted investments now – addressing the security challenges of today while building a foundation for security and prosperity in the future.”
- “This is a time of great economic strain for many Americans…That is why this budget must support programs vital to our national security, our national interests, and our leadership in the world, while guarding against waste. I believe it achieves those objectives.”
- “This budget aligns our investments with the strategic imperatives of our time.”
Importance of Fully Funding the International Affairs Budget
- “One thing should be very clear from this budget: the State Department and USAID are taking a lead in carrying out the United States’ foreign policy and national-security agenda.”
- “America is called to lead – and we need the tools and resources to exercise our leadership wisely and effectively.”
- ”The budget we are presenting today is designed to protect America and Americans and to advance our interests.”
Importance of Investing in Development
- “These investments are a key part of our effort to get ahead of crises rather than just responding to them, positioning us to deal effectively with the threats and challenges that lie ahead.”
- “These initiatives are designed to enhance American security, help people in need, and give the American people a strong return on their investment.”
Commitment to Modernizing Foreign Assistance
- “As we finish the first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, we have a unique opportunity to define the capabilities we need and to match resources with priorities. This budget aligns our investments with the strategic imperatives of our time.”
Commitment to Defining Civilian-Military Roles
- “We are blessed with the best troops in the world, as we have seen time and again in today’s wars. But we also need to give our civilian experts the resources to do civilian jobs. This budget takes a step in that direction.”
Importance of Bipartisan Support in Congress
- “When I was last here to discuss our budget, I emphasized my commitment to elevating diplomacy and development as core pillars of American power. Since then, I have been heartened by the bipartisan support of this committee and the rest of Congress.”
Congressional Statements
Importance of Full Funding for the International Affairs Budget
Chairman John Kerry (D-MA)
- “The international affairs budget is the backbone of our civilian efforts worldwide. From fighting HIV/AIDS to supporting our aid workers and diplomats in frontline states like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, this budget secures the tools we need for an effective foreign policy.”
- “Madame Secretary, I strongly support robust funding for the international affairs budget….”
Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA-28)
- “I, and I hope my colleagues on this committee, will do everything we can to maintain the overall funding level because we recognize – as you do – that diplomacy and development are integral to our national security.”
Importance of International Affairs Funding to National Security
Chairman John Kerry (D-MA)
- “We recognize that we are operating in a difficult fiscal environment. But these funds are vitally needed for our national security.”
- “This money is a fraction of a fraction—just 1.4% of the overall budget. We are discussing just one-sixteenth of our national security budget. Compare that with our 2011 Defense budget of $708 billion and it’s clear that our foreign policy is badly out of balance.”
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)
- “Identifying the 150 Account as part of the national security budget is absolutely right on the mark.”
Importance of Robust Investments in the International Affairs Budget
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)
- “Beyond areas of heavy diplomatic and military presence, the most critical expenditures are those that prevent problems from spiraling into crises. In my judgment WMD proliferation, energy insecurity, and global food shortages are the underlying threats most likely to create the type of instability that can lead to conflict and thereby derail our domestic agenda.”
Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-18)
- “Along with defense, diplomacy and development are essential elements of our national security strategy. With this budget request, the Administration seeks diplomacy and development funding levels that will result in longer-term savings as we…work to prevent instability by addressing the root causes of conflict.”
Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12)
- “Madam Secretary, let me first say that I strongly support the objectives you seek to achieve with the FY11 budget request and the FY10 supplemental.”
Importance of a Smart Power Approach to U.S. Foreign Policy
Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO)
- “I am personally delighted in your active support of the concept of smart power, particularly in nations where we see the threat of extremist, violent terrorism… and smart power – the use of diplomatic efforts, personal visits, economic cooperation, two-way trade, investment, and educational exchanges – can work.”
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
- “I specifically appreciate your partnership with Sec. Gates to marry the hard power with the smart power of our diplomacy. Over the long run, I believe that it is going to pay huge dividends….”
Importance of International Affairs Funding to Building Economic Prosperity
Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
- “It may not receive a lot of headlines, but I think it is important for American taxpayers to know what their investment in the International Affairs budget means for improving the domestic job market and what benefits they reap from helping to build stable societies and markets overseas.”
- “The International Affairs Budget funds are critical to promoting U.S. exports, protecting intellectual property rights and advocating for American businesses abroad.”
- “I am pleased that Secretary Clinton and President Obama realize the important assistance they can provide to promote U.S. companies and products overseas.”
Importance of Rebuilding our Civilian Capacity
Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO)
- “One of the things I have seen as I travel around the world is the great need for more of your personnel on the ground and I join with Sen. Gregg and the Chairman in supporting your budget to rebuild our civilian foreign assistance capacity. That’s very important.”
USGLC Leadership
