State Dept & International Affairs - FY 2010 Budget

Here is a quick look on who gets what and how much in the FY2010 budget for State Operations and Related Programs. Read the official press release from the State Department. The detailed budget request for the agency is here, all 99 pages single space.

• $7.3 billion for the global operating platform for the U.S. Government, which includes:

$280 million from all funding sources to leverage information technology.

$520 million for public diplomacy to engage foreign audiences and win support for U.S. foreign policy goals.

A total of 1,226 new positions to build Diplomatic capacity and expertise, including increasing training in languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Urdu. The Department also would further increase its representation on interagency and Defense regional staffs, creating enhanced interagency planning and execution of coordinated U.S. foreign policy.

• $323.2 million for the Civilian Stabilization Initiative to develop a coordinated capacity across the U.S. Government to respond to stabilization and reconstruction needs. These resources will build civilian capacity, including capacity that draws on expertise outside the Federal Government, to work effectively, including alongside the military, in dealing with failed or failing states.
• $1.8 billion for security-related construction and major facility rehabilitation requirements of U.S. embassies and consulates.
• $1.7 billion in fee-funded activities, to improve protection of U.S. borders through the Border Security Program.
• $1.6 billion to increase security for diplomatic personnel and facilities worldwide.
• $633.2 million for educational and cultural exchanges to build strategic relationships through the exchange of people and ideas.
• $1.8 billion for U.S. obligations to 45 international organizations, including the United Nations.
• $2.3 billion to pay the U.S. share of assessments for UN peacekeeping missions.
• $262.1 million to support bilateral international commissions, Foreign Affairs foundations and research centers.

The International Affairs budget covers the following:

www.state.gov www.usaid.gov www.mcc.gov www.peacecorps.gov

• 2010 Budget: $53.9 billion
• 2009 level: $49.8 billion (includes enacted baseline, Recovery Act, and requested supplemental funding)

According to the WH/OMB: By increasing foreign assistance and expanding diplomatic and development capacity, the United States is renewing its leadership role in the global community. The President’s Fiscal Year 2010 Budget provides $53.9 billion to the Department of State and other international programs, of which $36.5 billion is for foreign assistance. To increase transparency, the budget reduces reliance on emergency supplemental appropriations by funding expenses that are predictable and recurring.

With the release of the detailed FY10 budget, also comes the list of reduction in funding and savings, including two funding reduction under the international affairs umbrella:

East-West Center in Hawaii: The Administration proposes to reduce funding for the East-West Center (EWC), a non-profit education and research organization that seeks to strengthen U.S.-Asia Pacific understanding and relations, thereby encouraging the EWC to pursue increased support from private donors and other governments of the region. In 2008 the Government provided over 70 percent of its funding. The 2010 Budget proposal would encourage EWC to compete for other Federal grants and pursue increased contributions from private entities, foundations, corporations, and other governments.

Voice of America: The Administration's 2010 Budget proposal for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) proposes reductions to base Voice of America (VOA) operations totaling $2 million to help offset new priority needs. The proposal would eliminate VOA Hindi, Croatian, and Greek language broadcasts and close a finance office located in Paris, France. While the overall funding level for VOA is increasing from 2009, funding related to these language services within VOA will be reduced from about $3 million to $1 million.

Read the full FY 2010 Terminations, Reductions, and Savings here.