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Hunter-


Today is Budget Day in Washington - an annual ritual for policy
wonks.


I wish I could report a sea change in the Administration's
proposal for America's international affairs programs -
but unfortunately, it's 'strike three' with a
dangerous and disproportionate 24% cut on the table for the State
Department, USAID, and other development agencies.


I'm confident Members of Congress will heed the call once again,
listening to America's former Combatant Commanders who yesterday
forcefully spoke out in support of our nation's development and
diplomacy programs. My statement is here.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=rVoCo41UDO0fZ66_LeklVA

Click Here for the Full Report

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=icHximBe_0VMKTFWeKtdnA

Or read below for the Cliff Notes version with my Top 8 Things to Know
on what the budget proposal means for America's global
footprint.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

8 Ways the Latest Budget Proposal Impacts America's Global
Footprint

>> Click here to get the full USGLC analysis report

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=GUN_l4rQeMUdN-ptOi8erQ


#1 - Elite Combatant Commanders Press Congress

Just ahead of the Administration's budget release, more than a
dozen former U.S. Combatant Commanders representing all six regional
commands - including Generals Zinni and Petraeus and Admiral
Stavridis - urged Congress to protect the International Affairs
Budget in a joint statement that's been picked up from CNN to
NPR to POLITICO to the Washington Examiner.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=yfqr6jo4TLVG8nDQpDYImQ

* KEY QUOTE: "Diplomacy and development are essential to combating
threats before they reach our shores."
* STEADY DRUMBEAT: Not surprising, these former military leaders
are echoing the voices of America's current regional
Combatant Commanders who recently testified before Congress on
why America's civilian tools are critical to our national
security.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=Mk5X5wf1UStKeBHd0geq9A

#2 - Proposal Undermines America's Full National Security
Arsenal

As the new budget proposal slashes our nation's civilian
footprint overseas by 24%, the Administration is also requesting a
boost in military spending. This split breaks with the longstanding
bipartisan consensus on the importance of strengthening resources for
both military and civilian tools to confront global threats.

#3 - Great Power Competition Drives Budget Priorities

The budget focuses on America's economic prosperity and
prioritizes funding to counter Chinese and Russian influence,
expanding U.S. exports, trade, and investment, and doubling down on
the new Development Finance Corporation, a priority with strong
bipartisan support.

* BY THE NUMBERS: Compared to last year's request, resources
for the Indo-Pacific region skyrockets by 90% and funding for
countering Russian influence is increased by 17%.
* WHAT TO WATCH: Expect questions about whether these investments
are sufficient when China's Belt One Road is on track to
spend 7x compared to the Marshall Plan.

#4 - Women's Economic Empowerment is Front and Center

The budget includes $100 million to fund W-GDP, a new initiative led
by Ivanka Trump to empower women economically around the world. The
effort has been well-received with strong bipartisan support on
Capitol Hill, following the passage of the WEEE Act earlier this year.
At the same time, lawmakers are already asking questions on how the
overall cuts to the State Department and USAID will impact women in
the developing world.


#5 - Cutting 1/4 of the U.S. Global Footprint Would Have
Consequences

With no shortage of threats on the global stage, appropriators in
Congress will be forced to reconcile how to address all the crises and
hotspots demanding U.S. leadership - including humanitarian
priorities.

* DISPLACEMENT AND FAMINE: In total, spending for humanitarian
assistance would be reduced by 34% compared to current funding
levels - a dangerous downward trend. With nearly 70
million people displaced around the world - more than at
any time in human history - these cuts could mean millions
lose access to life-saving assistance. Also a key challenge:
Close to 20 million people are living on the brink of famine in
Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, and Nigeria - regions that
are at a nexus with ISIS, Al-Shabab, and Boko Haram.
* PANDEMICS: The world is currently facing the second largest
Ebola outbreak in history in the DRC. With multiple cuts for
global health accounts that help strengthen health systems
around the world - including a 29% cut to PEPFAR -
America's ability to swiftly respond to outbreaks would be
diminished.
* ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND PEACEKEEPERS: Some of the largest
reductions include the U.S. contribution to the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), which is zeroed out, and the U.S.
contribution to U.N. peacekeeping operations, which is cut by
27%.

#6 - New Policies Call for Diplomatic Flexibility & Burden
Sharing

In calling for decreases to overall non-defense spending, the budget
asks for increases in burden-sharing from foreign governments and
private sector partners. This could raise questions about the
willingness of our partners to step up when the U.S. is seemingly
stepping back. With global challenges, such as Venezuela, the
Administration also calls for new flexibility to address unanticipated
crises:

* DIPLOMATIC PROGRESS FUND: A new $175 million fund for the State
Department to respond to diplomatic breakthroughs
* VENEZUELA RESOURCES: $500 million in transfer authority that the
Administration can access to "support a democratic
transition" in Venezuela and "respond to related
needs in the region"

#7 - Reduced at the Core

Operating budgets for both the State Department and USAID -
critical to maintaining our diplomatic presence around the world
- would be reduced by 8% and 7%. Meanwhile, the budget request
also proposes reduced funding for diplomatic security by 11% and
embassy security by 23%, which will likely be non-starters on Capitol
Hill.

#8 - Secretary Pompeo Went to Bat

Things could have been worse. All departments and agencies were asked
by the Office of Management and Budget to reduce their overall
spending by another 5% from last year's budget request. In this
case, Secretary Pompeo managed to push back against that request and
secure a 1.7% increase above the Administration's last proposal.

What to Watch Next

Administration leaders are sure to face tough questions in the coming
days in Congress. Russ Vought, the Acting Director for the Office of
Management and Budget, is slated to appear before the House Budget
Committee tomorrow morning and in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon.
While not yet announced, initial expectations are that Secretary
Pompeo will testify before the end of the month.

>> Click here to get the full USGLC analysis report

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=0sGpe6aOEUiwKiDa2msJDg


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