Today, the USGLC applauded the Administration’s FY 2011 International Affairs Budget request as a critical investment in America’s national security, especially given the growing global challenges of the 21^st century.  The request is part of President Obama’s $3.8 trillion FY 2011 Budget request submitted to Congress today. 

As part of the national security budget, the Administration requested $58.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget representing a $6.1 billion or 11.6% increase over total FY10 enacted International Affairs spending. The growth is concentrated heavily on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, in line with the Administration’s revised military strategy and additional troops in Afghanistan.  In fact, nearly 60% of the increase for this account goes to what the State Department is calling the “Frontline States,” leaving a modest growth of $2.5 billion for all other International Affairs programs.  

In addition to the FY11 Budget request, the President also submitted an FY10 supplemental request for the war of $41 billion, which includes $4.5 billion for International Affairs spending for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.  The FY 2011 International Affairs Budget would be 2.8% above FY 2010 amounts including the supplemental. 

The entire increase for the International Affairs Budget represents a mere 0.16% of the overall FY11 Budget request. Putting this in perspective:

• The entire International Affairs Budget is a mere 1.4% of the total FY2011 Budget.
• The International Affairs Budget represents only 6.7% of the budget for ‘security agencies’, which includes defense, homeland security, and veteran’s appropriations.
• Even at this level of funding, the International Affairs Budget represents only 0.36% of GDP.

Read the entire USGLC Analysis on the FY11 International Affairs Budget