The President’s FY 2013 Budget for the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) strengthens U.S. national security, advances America’s economic interests, and elevates America’s global leadership through diplomacy and development. It supports U.S. businesses, protects Americans at home and abroad, and stops the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It supports our allies and partners, prevents conflict, promotes democracy, and reflects our core values.
Making up just 1 percent of the U.S. Government’s overall budget, the Department of State/USAID budget totals $51.6 billion. The request provides the most cost-efficient way to ensure diplomats and development experts have the resources necessary to address complex threats to our national security and promote our economic renewal.
Overview of the President’s Budget proposal for State/USAID
o Reduces funding for Europe and Eurasia by 18 percent to reflect the successful transition of a number of countries to market-based democracies and eliminates the stand alone Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia account.
o Reflects over $100 million in FY 2012-FY 2013 administrative savings through administrative reforms.
o Enhances consular resources in areas with high demands for visas, including Brazil and China, generating tourism in the U.S. and new business opportunities for American companies. This work will be funded out of fees generated by the increase in visa applications.
o Limits the Department’s planned expansion of the Foreign Service by extending the timeframe for the goal of a 25 percent increase while focusing modest staff growth on highest priority programs and countries.
o Scales back funding for overseas construction for one year, despite ongoing need for newer, more secure diplomatic facilities.
o Normalizes the Development Leadership Initiative (DLI) within USAID Operating Expenses and does not request additional USAID Foreign Service positions for FY 2013.
o Reorganizes to establish three new State Department bureaus focusing on high-priority issues of counterterrorism and energy, and reorganizes and renames the Conflict and Stabilization Operations bureau to better fulfill conflict prevention missions;
o Continues to expand the application of science, technology, and innovation in USAID and State Department programs to ensure the most efficient and effective use of assistance funding; and
o Encourages whole-of-government approaches to development in emerging global markets, especially in the Partnership for Growth countries of El Salvador, the Philippines, Ghana, and Tanzania.
Supporting our Work in Frontline States ($11.9 billion):
“Improving governance, creating economic opportunity, supporting civil society is vital to solidifying our military gains and advancing our political and diplomatic goals.”-Secretary Clinton, June 2011
o $2.0 billion in assistance, including $1.8 billion to fund police training and military assistance programs transitioned from the Department of Defense (DoD). Investments in health, education, and private sector development continue to decline as these programs transition to the Government of Iraq.
o $2.7 billion in operations funding supports the Embassy and three consulates as well as public outreach programs to strengthen ties with the Iraqi people.
o This is approximately 10% less than in FY-12.
o $2.5 billion in assistance for counterterrorism-related programs, economic growth, reconciliation and reintegration, and capacity building, as well as to support progress in governance, rule of law, counternarcotics, agriculture, health, and education.
o $2.1 billion supports the expansion of the diplomatic and interagency presence, the extraordinary costs of security in a conflict zone, and public diplomacy programs to build long-lasting bridges with civil society.
o $2.2 billion in assistance to strengthen democratic and civil institutions that provide a bulwark against extremism, and support joint security and counterterrorism efforts, including $800 million for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund.
o $197 million supports the U.S. government’s civilian presence, as well as programs for engagement with civil society.
Improving Global Human and Economic Security ($14.7 billion):
“We need to continue shifting our approach and our thinking from aid to investment, investments targeted to produce tangible returns... Wise investors choose their investments carefully, they manage for risks, and they amplify their impact by trying to draw even more participants to the table”-Secretary Clinton, Busan Aid Effectiveness Forum, November 2011
o $7.9 billion for the Global Health Initiative (GHI), including $5.4 billion for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The budget supports President Obama’s call for an AIDS-free generation with the goal of providing lifesaving treatment to six million people globally by the end of 2013. The request also includes $2.5 billion for USAID managed programs that build on significant progress to date and focus resources on key areas where the United States can make a marked difference in the struggle against pandemics and disease, including saving mothers and children through high-impact interventions such as malaria prevention and child vaccination programs.
o $1.0 billion for the global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future, to reduce poverty, hunger, and under-nutrition through sustainable investments in agriculture-focused economic growth. Together with the Department of Treasury’s contribution to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, this funding will enable the United States to reach millions of beneficiaries. The request supports implementing country-owned strategies that integrate the efforts of smallholder farmers, the private sector, governments, and civil society and provides them with the tools to achieve sustainable results.
o $469.5 million for Global Climate Change to address the environmental, economic, and social ramifications of global climate change through programs that develop clean energy economies; combat deforestation; and help vulnerable countries build resilience to withstand extreme weather and rising sea levels.
Strengthening Partnerships and Preventing Conflict ($14.6 billion):
“American leadership must be as dynamic as the challenges we face. We have to be ready to adapt and innovate, and that might mean leveraging new groups of nations to work on specific issues.” – Secretary Clinton, Speech on American Global Leadership at the Center for American Progress, October 2011
o $1.5 billion to meet U.S. obligations to nearly 50 international organizations, including the United Nations.
o $2.1 billion to support the US share of international peacekeeping missions, including critical operations in Somalia, Sudan and Darfur, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Haiti, and Liberia.
o $535.9 million for voluntary contributions to international organizations, including UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Development Program (UNDP), and to peacekeeping missions worldwide in order to diminish and resolve conflict, enhance partner countries’ capabilities to participate in peacekeeping operations and address counterterrorism threats, and reform professional military forces.
Supporting America’s Global Presence ($10.4 billion):
“Leading through civilian power saves lives and money. With the right tools, training, and leadership, our diplomats and development experts can defuse crises before they explode and create new opportunities for economic growth.” – Secretary Clinton, December 2010
o $507.4 million for public diplomacy to engage foreign audiences and win support for U.S. foreign policy goals, programs that include engaging with civil society in transition countries such as Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt (including the Frontline States, the total Public Diplomacy Request is $541.7 million).
o $1.4 billion in security for diplomatic personnel, information and facilities at our worldwide posts.
o $4.5 billion to fund other requirements, including staffing, operations and programs for our bureaus, envoys, and more than 270 posts overseas and in the United States, and funding for 121 new positions (83 Foreign Service and 38 civil service) in high priority programs and regions.