Tomorrow, the Senate is expected to consider an amendment sponsored by Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) to increase funding for the FY09 International Affairs Budget by $4.1 billion when it begins voting on amendments to the FY09 Concurrent Budget Resolution. Last week, the Senate Budget Committee approved only $35.7 billion for the International Affairs Budget, representing a $4.1 billion reduction from the Administration’s request of $39.8 billion.

In response, Senate champions have been feverishly working to craft amendments to increase funding. Earlier this week, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Sununu (R-NH), Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) submitted an amendment to increase funding for the International Affairs Budget by $2.6 billion. These six Senators have withdrawn their amendment and are now co-sponsoring the higher Biden-Lugar Amendment, which already has a number of bipartisan co-sponsors. The USGLC applauds the Senate sponsors of both amendments for their exemplary efforts in fighting to restore essential funding for the International Affairs Budget. The USGLC is vigorously urging Senators to support the Biden-Lugar Amendment and oppose all cutting amendments to the FY09 International Affairs Budget.