Tough Budget Season is No Time to Shortchange National and Economic Security

Washington, DC — The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition today released the following statement from Executive Director Liz Schrayer on today’s House markup of the FY 2011 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which funds most of the programs that make up the International Affairs Budget:

“The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) is greatly disappointed that House Appropriators have cut funding for the International Affairs Budget and is concerned about the impact this will have on our national and economic security.  Now is not the time to shortchange our non-military tools of development and diplomacy given today’s global challenges.

“These budget cuts ignore the calls from bipartisan business, foreign policy and national security leaders to strengthen our civilian agencies.  We are particularly concerned that it appears the International Affairs Budget – only one percent of the total federal budget — will shoulder nearly 60 percent of the total cuts the House is expected to make to the President’s overall discretionary budget request.*

“We understand this is a very difficult budget environment and appreciate Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger’s ongoing leadership in bolstering the International Affairs Budget.  We will work with them to minimize the impact of this cut, and we will continue to urge Senate Appropriators to fully fund the President’s $58.8 billion International Affairs Budget request.”

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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 diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

* Based upon recent statements from House Majority Leader Hoyer that the House will move a one-year budget deeming measure that would cut $7 billion from the President’s total discretionary budget request for FY11.