Fulbright Association





Fulbright Association
1100 G Street, N.W.
Suite 525
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 347-5543
Fax: (202) 347-6540
E-mail:
fulbright@fulbright.org
June 12, 2009

House of Representatives Passes Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 & 2011

The State Department and other diplomatic agencies would be authorized to receive approximately $18 billion in FY 2010, of which $633 million is authorized for educational and cultural exchange programs.

BACKGROUND

The Foreign Relations Authorization Act (H.R. 2410), introduced last month by Rep. Howard Berman (CA-28), contains provisions on a wide range of foreign policy issues and authorizes maximum funding levels for State Department programs (including the Fulbright Program).  The specific FY 2010 and 2011 funding for the Fulbright and other programs will depend on the outcome of the appropriations process.

Rep. Berman, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged colleagues in his opening remarks to support the bill as an essential component of our national security. He said, “The State Department and our other civilian foreign affairs agencies have a critical role to play in protecting U.S. national security. Diplomacy, development and defense are the three pillars of our national security. By wisely investing resources to strengthen our diplomatic capabilities, we can help prevent conflicts before they start and head off the conditions that lead to failed states."

Facts and Figures on the President's FY 2010 International Affairs Budget Request:
  • The entire International Affairs Budget request is 1.4 percent of the total FY10 Budget request.
  • The International Affairs Budget represents only 7percent of the “national security budget,”which includes Defense and Homeland Security.
  • Even at this level of spending, the International Affairs Budget represents only .36% of GDP.

    •  Source: U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, https://www.usglc.org
Fulbright Association, 666 11th Street, N.W., Suite 525, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 347-5543, www.fulbright.org