International Affairs
Budget for 2007
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Citizens for Global Solutions monitors the Congressional Budget process to ensure that U.S. lawmakers are providing adequate resources for important foreign policy initiatives. Our priorities include the full payment of U.S. contributions to international organizations, like the United Nations, and UN peacekeeping activities as well as an array of multilateral initiatives involving global health, the environment, regional peacekeeping and the international rule of law.

Find out:

+ HOW SPENDING BILLS WORK
+ HIGHLIGHTS OF THE '07 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET
+ WHAT THE BUDGET NUMBERS MEAN
+ WHETHER CONGRESS WILL FUND THE PRESIDENT'S REQUEST

spending bills:
How do they work?
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The Budget process begins with the President's Budget Request, typically made in February, which provides an estimate for Congress. Over the next several months, the House and Senate debate spending priorities and pass 12 separate Appropriations bills with jurisdiction over various types of spending.  Final totals are determined in Conference Committees, which bring House and Senate lawmakers together to reconcile differences between legislation from both chambers.

The U.S. fiscal year ends on September 30th. If Appropriations bills have not been signed into law by then, which is often the case, Congress must pass Continuing Resolutions, which allow the government to operate temporarily without an approved budget.
+ VIEW BUDGET TABLE [PDF FILE]

Want to know about proposed International Affairs spending for the coming year?
+ CLICK HERE

HIGHLIGHTS OF '07 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS BUDGET

All funding requested for the State Department, key foreign affairs programs, and international organizations is located in the International Affairs (IA) '150 Account'. Proposed spending for international affairs is broken down by program and account but it is first divided into two categories: Foreign Operations and State, Commerce, Justice and Related Agencies (CJS). Total IA spending asked for by President Bush for Fiscal Year 2007 is $35.1 billion, which was 11% above current levels. Click below to see highlights and analysis of the President's request.

Highlights of Foreign Ops Accounts
+ FOREIGN OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of State Department Accounts
+ CJS HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of Global Health Funding
 + GLOBAL HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

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ANALYSIS OF BUDGET:
What Do The Numbers Mean?

International Affairs spending has increased steadily under the current Administration. The 2007 budget request continues this trend but a detailed analysis reveals that while some global matters fared well, many other important issues lost out.
 
Our analysis also uncovers an alarming shift in the type of foreign policy your taxpayer dollars are promoting: a move away from longstanding programs with proven records of success toward more untested, and unwise, unilateral policies.

Want to know what kind of U.S. Foreign Policy your dollars are funding?
+ CLICK HERE

ANALYSIS OF FY 07 BUDGET BATTLE:
Will Congress Fund the President's Priorities?

The recent trend toward a larger 150 account stands in stark contrast to the 1990s when Congress and the Executive Branch reprioritized spending away from foreign affairs programs. From 1992 to 1998, for example, spending for foreign affairs as a percentage of GDP was cut 38%. The FY 2007 budget request is, therefore, a welcome change and should be commended. But, recent history suggests that it will require a concerted effort by this Administration to persuade lawmakers to preserve this level of funding. After all, in our system of government, Congress exercises the power of the purse.

Want to know if Congress will cut Foreign Aid again?
+ CLICK HERE                  

Updated February 21, 2006

2006 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SPENDING