Deep and Disproportionate 9% Cut to International Affairs Budget Ignores Calls from Military, Business Leaders

Washington, DC —The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) expressed serious concern at the deep and disproportionate cuts in the House’s FY 2013 appropriations allocation for the International Affairs Budget compared to other security accounts, and called on the House to enact no less than the Senate allocation of $53 billion.

The House Appropriations Committee’s $48.3 billion allocation represents a 9% cut from current funding levels, and is more than $5 billion below the Senate’s appropriations allocation for the International Affairs Budget.  The House cut would come on top of the 15% cut already made to non-war related development and diplomacy programs since FY2010.

“Retreat from our engagement in the world is not an option for the sake of our national security, but these cuts to the International Affairs Budget represent just that,” said General Mike Hagee, USMC (Ret.), co-chair of the USGLC’s National Security Advisory Council.  “The International Affairs Budget is absolutely critical to our nation’s security and economic interests, and the programs it funds are cost-effective ways to prevent conflicts that will eventually require us to put our brave men and women in uniform in harm’s way.”

Last month, more than 80 retired three and four-star general and flag officers called on Congress to support a strong and effective International Affairs Budget, saying “We urge you to oppose deep and disproportionate cuts to America’s development and diplomacy programs and to support a strong FY13 International Affairs Budget.  Our nation’s security depends upon it.”

“In order to jump start the economy, we need our economic engine firing on all cylinders.  Deep cuts like these to the International Affairs Budget will hamper those efforts,” said Bill Lane, USGLC Co-President and Washington Director of Caterpillar.  “Developing countries are some of the fastest-growing markets in the world for American goods and services, and it would be a great disservice to American businesses and workers across the country to limit their ability to tap those markets.”

Just last year, more than 50 top business leaders told Congress that U.S. global engagement is key to our economic growth and job creation, saying “The International Affairs Budget funds valuable tools for advancing U.S. economic and strategic interests around the world and is vital for achieving a more prosperous future for American workers and businesses.”

The International Affairs Budget represents just over one percent of the entire federal budget yet pays large dividends for our national and economic security, as well as American leadership and values in the world.  The International Affairs Budget promotes a better, safer America and world by protecting national security, building economic prosperity and strengthening humanitarian values.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

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