Foreign Assistance Budget

Since 2001, this administration has nearly tripled official development assistance for two reasons: First, because moral obligation binds us. We cannot turn our backs on the millions of children who succumb to starvation and disease each day, or the citizens who toil under oppressive poverty, when the ability to help them secure a hopeful future is in our hands. Moreover, we recognize that our future as Americans is inextricably linked with those we seek to assist. From partnering with countries to promote democracy and economic development to strengthening allies in the Global War on Terror, foreign assistance plays an important role in the United States' National Security Strategy . The Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance has authority over all Department of State and USAID foreign assistance funding and programs.

The International Affairs budget (also referred to as Function 150 of the Federal budget) provides the funding to carry out U.S. foreign policy. This funding supports the worldwide operations of the Department of State, maintaining effective American representation at embassies and posts in foreign countries, as well as the operations of the U.S. Agency for International Development. This funding also supports a broad array of foreign assistance programs and other U.S. Government activities to achieve foreign policy priorities. The formulation and implementation of funding requests are closely related to the Department's and USAID's planning and performance process.

FY 2009 Budget Material:

--04/09/08 President's FY 2009 International Affairs Budget Request; Secretary Rice's Opening Remarks Before the Senate Appropriations Committee; Washington, DC
--03/12/08 President's 2009 International Affairs Budget; Secretary Rice's Opening Remarks Before the House Appropriations Committee; Washington, DC
--03/04/08 Foreign Assistance Budget for Fiscal Year 2009; Director Fore's Opening Remarks Before the Senate Appropriations Committee; Washington, DC
--02/27/08 Foreign Assistance Budget for Fiscal Year 2009; Director Fore's Opening Remarks Before the House Appropriations Committee; Washington, DC
--02/13/08 International Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2009; Secretary Rice's Opening Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Washington, DC
--02/13/08 President's FY 2009 International Affairs Budget Request; Secretary Rice's Opening Remarks Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Washington, DC

--The annual Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations details the funding requested as part of the International Affairs budget for various departments' and agencies' Foreign Operations programs and activities.
-- The annual Summary and Highlights of the International Affairs Budget (Function 150) presents an overview of the total funding requested from four appropriations subcommittees for the programs and activities of the International Affairs budget.
--The annual Budget in Brief presents an overview of the FY 2009 budget request for Department of State appropriations. Its sections include a budget summary and tables, as well as specific resource requirements for programs, activities, and management initiatives.
-- The Department of State/USAID Joint Highlights summarizes high-level budget, performance, and financial information. It includes representative performance indicators from the Congressional Budget Justifications for both the Department and Foreign Operations.
-- February 4, 2008 fact sheet on "International Affairs FY 2009 Budget."

--White House (OMB) Press Release