This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its nine remaining FY22 spending bills – including the FY22 State-Foreign Operations (SFOPS) bill – as Congress hurdles toward a December 3rd deadline to fund the government.

As a reminder, the committee approved the first three of its twelve FY22 spending bills this summer, but was forced to delay action on the other nine bills due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans on topline spending levels (also known as 302(b) allocations). With no bipartisan agreement in sight, these bills are unlikely to see committee markups and will instead serve as a starting point for broader spending negotiations.

Specifically, Senate Appropriators provided a total of $60.6 billion for the FY22 State-Foreign Operations bill. This is 9% ($5.1 billion) above the FY21 non-emergency enacted level, but 3% ($1.7 billion) below the House-approved level and the Administration’s FY22 request.

USGLC released a statement highlighting the much-needed funding increase and calling attention to the urgent need for even greater resources to address growing global challenges impacting America’s health, security, and economic interests that have accelerated over the past several months.

As negotiations between Congress and the Administration on final FY22 spending bills begin in earnest, USGLC urges policymakers to provide no less than the House-approved funding level to ensure our international affairs investments truly meet today’s unprecedented global needs.

Select Highlights
Below are select highlights from the Senate SFOPS bill and report. Next week, USGLC will release a comprehensive analysis comparing the House and Senate proposals alongside the Administration’s request for the FY22 International Affairs Budget.

• Global Health: The Senate bill increases funding for Global Health Programs by 13% ($1.2 billion) compared to the FY21 enacted level. This is 3% ($303 million) more than the Administration’s FY22 request, but 3% less than the House-approved level. This includes an $810 million increase for Global Health Security to help combat COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics.
• Development and Economic Assistance: The Senate bill includes a 16% ($575 million) increase for Development Assistance, a 10% ($328 million) for the Economic Support Fund, a 2% ($19 million) increase for Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, and a 17% ($50 million) increase for the Democracy Fund, while maintaining funding for the Peace Corps and the Millennium Challenge Corporation at their FY21 enacted levels.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Consistent with the Administration’s request and the House-approved level, the Senate provides a 9% ($700 million) increase in funding for humanitarian assistance compared to the FY21 enacted level.
• Peacekeeping: The Senate bill increases funding by 26% ($372 million) for UN Peacekeeping and by 6% ($25 million) for non-UN peacekeeping programs – shy of the Administration’s FY22 request by $100 million and $4 million, respectively.
• UN and Other International Organizations: Consistent with the Administration’s FY22 request and the House-approved bill, the Senate bill increases funding for U.S. assessed contributions to the UN and other international organizations by 10% ($157 million). The bill boosts funding for the International Organization and Programs (IO&P) account, which covers voluntary contributions, by 22% ($85 million) – $15 million above the Administration’s request, but $5 million below the House-approved level.
• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC): The Senate bill increases funding for administrative expenses, program costs, and other expenses of the DFC by 23% ($130 million) compared to the FY21 enacted level and directs that the new resources be used primarily to address climate change and counter the Chinese government’s influence. This is $100 million above the Administration’s FY22 request and the House-approved level.
• International Financial Institutions (IFIs): The Senate bill increases overall funding for U.S. contributions provided through the Treasury Department to IFIs by 126% ($2.1 billion) compared to the FY21 enacted level – with most of the additional funding going to the Green Climate Fund and Clean Technology Fund. This is $558 million more than the Administration’s FY22 request and $110 million above the House-approved level.

Other Funding and Policy Priorities

• Climate Change: Provides $2.9 billion to address climate change, including $1.45 billion for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and $450 million for the Clean Technology Fund, as well as $1 billion for bilateral programs. This is 14% ($350 million) above the Administration’s FY22 request. .
• Global COVID-19 Response: The committee report includes language stating that, “There is no more urgent global health imperative than controlling COVID–19 and preventing a repeat of a similar disaster” and calls for America to “be at the forefront of global efforts,” but expresses concern that “Committee has not been briefed on the Administration’s multi-year global strategy.”
• Personnel: Increases funding for USAID Operating Expenses by 7% ($108 million) above the Administration’s FY22 request to help fill gaps in USAID’s workforce, noting that the request, “while a step in the right direction, also falls short considering the increased frequency and intensity of humanitarian crises, the secondary impacts of COVID–19, and challenges posed by other growing threats.”
• Flexibility: The committee report highlights efforts to provide “greater flexibility” and “discretion” to the Administration – allowing agencies to “respond to rapidly changing circumstances and evolving threats, and to ensure continuity and predictability, as appropriate.”