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The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation provides annual funding for almost all of the international affairs programs generally considered as part of the 150 International Affairs Budget Function (the major exception being food assistance). The legislation has also served as a vehicle for Congress to place conditions on the expenditure of those funds, and express its views regarding certain foreign policy issues.
This report briefly discusses the legislation generally and then provides a short description of the various funding accounts as they appear in Division JK, "Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 20172018," of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 2018 (P.L. 115-31)141).
The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (State, Foreign OperationsSFOPS) appropriations bill provides annual appropriations for the vast majority of international affairs programs generally considered as part ofcomprising the 150 International Affairs Budget Function.1 The State Department portion makes up about one-third of the funding, and the Foreign Operations portion—often called the "foreign aid" bill—makesaccounts make up the remainder of the funds appropriated.2
Among the areas covered by the State, Foreign OperationsSFOPS appropriations legislation, and explained below, are the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) operating budgets; both assessed and voluntary U.S. contributions to international organizations and peacekeeping operations; U.S. non-militarynonmilitary international broadcasting; bilateral and multilateral U.S. foreign economic assistance; assistance to foreign militaries; anti-narcoticsantinarcotics funding; and funding for the Peace Corps, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the many other programs operated primarily by the Department of State and USAID several other programs through which the United States engages with the world to protect and advance U.S. national interests. Beyond providing funds, the appropriations bills, in recent years, also have been an important vehicle in conditioning the use of these funds and stating congressional views regarding foreign policy issues.
There are, however, several funding areas that are not covered by the State, Foreign OperationsSFOPS appropriations legislation that might be considered international affairs activities. These programs would include P.L. 480 Title II and other food assistance, part of the 150 budget function but funded by the Agriculture appropriations bill. While the State Department and USAID sponsor nearly four-fifths of U.S. and foreign participants in educational and cultural exchange programs, other government agencies are responsible for the remaining participants in such programs, including, for example, the short-term exchange of scientists program at the National Cancer Institute. The Department of Defense's Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) supports the training and equipping of Afghanistan's police and military forces, its 10 U.S.C. 2282 (formerly known as "Section 1206") authority facilitates the strengthening of foreign military capacities, and its Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities Program provides counter-narcoticscounternarcotics support. These and other programs are funded through their own agency appropriations measures.
While the appropriation of funds is an authority reserved for Congress by the Constitution, the two-step authorization/appropriations process is established by House and Senate rules; and the authorization of appropriations is intended to provide guidance to appropriators as to a general amount and under what conditions funding might be provided to an agency or program.3 However, in the case of the State Department and foreign assistance programs, it is prescribed by law that legislation authorizing appropriations is required before the appropriations can be made.4 These provisions have been waived in the years for which Congress has not enacted authorizations.5
Within the SFOPS appropriations legislation, account names have changed over the years and new accounts have been added and old ones terminated. In FY2008, for example, the International Disaster and Famine Assistance account became the International Disaster Assistance account. In the FY2009 bill, the Former Soviet Union account was combined with the Eastern Europe and Baltic States account to form a new Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia account. That account was discontinued in the FY2013 appropriations at the request of the Obama Administration, but was reinstated in FY2016. In the FY2006 bill, a new Democracy Fund was established. The overall organization of the legislation may change as well. The FY2009 bill added a new title (Title II), specifically for USAID operations.
In the FY2017FY2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-31), the State Department141) the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations legislation (Division JK) is divided into eight titles:
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Title I |
Department of State and Related Agency |
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Title II |
United States Agency for International Development |
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Title III |
Bilateral Economic Assistance |
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Title IV |
International Security Assistance |
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Title V |
Multilateral Assistance |
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Title VI |
Export and Investment Assistance |
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Title VII |
General Provisions |
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Title VIII |
Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism |
This report briefly explains the different accounts in the order they are presented in the FY2017 State, Foreign OperationsFY2018 SFOPS appropriations legislation.
Title I provides funds for (1) the personnel, operations, and programs of the Department of State; (2) U.S. participation in international organizations, such as the United Nations, as well as small commissions, such as the International Boundary and Water Commission between the United States and Mexico; (3) U.S. government, non-military-nonmilitary international broadcasting; and (4) several U.S. nongovernmental agencies whose purposes also help promote U.S. interests abroad, and other U.S. commissions and interparliamentary groups more directly related to U.S. foreign policy initiativesand other U.S. commissions and interparliamentary groups, such as the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The Administration of Foreign Affairs account category provides funding for the personnel, operations, and programs of the Department of State as well as the construction and maintenance of its facilities in the United States and around the world.
Diplomatic and Consular Programs is the principal operating account of the Department of State. The account includes four funding categories:
The Capital Investment Fund was createdestablished by Congress in 1994 to provide for purchasing information technology and other capital equipment to ensure efficient management, coordination, and communications.
This account funds the State Department's Office of the Inspector General, which conducts independent audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigations of the programs and offices of the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
With funds appropriated to this account, the State Department manages U.S. educational, professional, and cultural exchanges, such as the Fulbright Scholar Program, the International Visitor Leadership Program, and the Young Leaders in the Americas Initiative. Funds are appropriated to Academic Programs, Professional and Cultural Exchanges, and Young Leaders Initiatives.
Funding for the Representation Expenses account provides partial reimbursement to Ambassadors, Principal Officers, and some Foreign Service Officers for costs associated with providing for the official representation of the United States in the host country where they are assigned. For example, funds have been used in the past to support events that promote U.S. foreign policy priorities on the margins of major regional summits.
Funding for the Representation Expenses account reimburses Foreign Service personnel for protocol-related entertainment costs that involve expanding relations with foreign officials, providing for the proper representation of the United States and its interests abroad, or contributing to the achievement of embassy objectives.
This account provides funding for reimbursable expenses to municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the United Statesstate and local governments as a result of "extraordinary" protective services provided for the protection of foreign missions and officials. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security permanently or intermittently protects international organizations and foreign missions and officials in New York City and elsewhere in the United States.
Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance funds provide for ongoing operations—the general maintenancemanagement and support of U.S. State Department facilities both in the United States and abroad—and. This account also funds Worldwide Security Upgrades (WSU), which providesprovide the Department of State's share of the costs involved with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance and security upgrades of embassies and facilities around the world. The funds are managed by the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO).
This account addresses unexpected events, such as the evacuation of U.S. diplomats and their families from an embassyor, in some circumstances, private U.S. citizens or third-country nationals as a result of natural disasters, epidemics, terrorist attacks, or civil unrest. This account also pays for rewards for information related to international terrorism, narcotics-related activities, transnational organized crime, and war crimes. It also funds select activities of senior Administration officials pertaining to the conduct of foreign affairs, including participation in conferences such as NATOG-20 Summits or OAS General Assemblies.
The Repatriation Loans Program allows the U.S. government to provide funds, on a loan basis, to destitute U.S. citizens abroad who are unable to fund their return to the United States.
The American Institute in Taiwan acts as an unofficial U.S. consulate.(AIT) is a nonprofit, private corporation tasked, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act (P.L. 96-8), with conducting or carrying out "[p]rograms, transactions, and other relations conducted or carried out by the President or any agency of the United States Government with respect to Taiwan." 7 The account supports a contract providing for salaries, benefits, and other expenses associated with maintaining the InstituteAIT.
The International Center, or the International Chancery Center (ICC), is a 47-acre diplomatic enclave owned by the U.S. government located in Washington, DC. This account comprises proceeds drawn from leases paid by foreign governments for the use of space at the ICCfees collected from other executive agencies and proceeds from past leases that are used in turn to carry out ICC development, maintenance, security, and repairs.
The Fundfund is a mandatory expense that covers the U.S. government's portion of maintaining the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System and the Foreign Service Pension System.
Through the following two accounts in the International Organizations category, the United States meets its assessed obligations to the many international organizations and peacekeeping efforts that the United States supports.
The Contributions to International Organizations account under the Department of State funds U.S. assessed contributions to the budget of the United Nations, certain U.N. system organizations, Interinter-American organizations, war crimes tribunals and mechanisms, and other intergovernmental organizations.
The Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities account funds U.S. assessed contributions to U.N. peacekeeping operations worldwide. It also provides assessed contributions to the War Crimes Tribunals in Yugoslavia and RwandaInternational Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.
Accounts under the International Commissions category provide funding for the U.S. portion of the salaries and programs of the following bilateral and multilateral commissions:
The sole listing under the "Related Agency" category, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is the independent federal agency that directs and oversees all U.S. government-funded non-militaryU.S. civilian international media programs. Operating in dozens of languages, BBG's media networks include Voice of America (VOA), Broadcasting to Cuba (Radio and TV Marti), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN), which includes Alhurra Television Radio Sawa. The broadcasting category is generally agency. It comprises the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa (under the Middle East Broadcasting Networks [MBN]), and Radio and TV Martí (under the Office of Cuba Broadcasting [OCB]). The broadcasting category is divided into the following two accounts:
The Operations account funds the operations of the BBG and all U.S. government, non-militarynonmilitary international broadcasts, including salaries and benefits of management, administrative staff, broadcasters, and reporters; contracts with surrogate broadcasters such as Radio Free Asia; transitioning to greater use of new digital communications methods;for new hires, programmatic expansion priorities including increased focus on Venezuela and more comprehensive coverage of Central America, and other operating expenses.
The Capital Improvements account supports provisionimprovements and maintenance of BBG facilities and equipment, from broadcast station repair to the building of new antennas, as well as physical security programs worldwide.
Under this category, funds are provided to several nongovernmental organizations that have objectives that are similar to views and positions advocated by thealign with United States in its foreign policy. These nongovernmental organizations provide educational programs, exchanges, and grants to organizations in foreign countries promoting democracy, rule of law, economic development, open markets, literacy, women's rights, and many similar objectives. foreign policy. Most of these organizations are nonprofit organizations and receive funding from both the U.S. government, through appropriated funds, and through appropriations and private donations.
The Asia Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that seeks to strengthen democratic processes and institutions in Asia, support economic reform and developmentcounter violent extremism, promote economic opportunities for Asian and U.S. businesses, and improve U.S.-Asian relations.
The mission of the U.S. Institute of Peace isworks to increase the nation'sUnited States' capacity to manageprevent, mitigate, and help resolve international conflict without violence. It offers educational programs, conferences, and workshops; professional training; applied research; and dialogue facilitation in the United States and abroad.
The FY2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-199) created a trust fund to support the operations of the International Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue (the Hollings Center). Through policy discussions and programs of cooperative study, theThe Hollings Center promotes dialogue between the United States and nations with significant Muslim populations, including Turkey and those in the Middle East, North Africa, South and Central Asia, and elsewhere to generate new thinking on key international issues and expand people-to-people contacts.
The Exchange Program brings professionals who are rising leaders in their countries to the United States and sends their U.S. counterparts abroad with custom-designed programs for each participant to make contacts and learn about the other's country and work environment. It provides learning and networking opportunities for all participants in preparation for increasingly senior positions in government, business, and nongovernmental institutions.
The IASP funds scholarships for Israeli Arabs to attend institutions of higher education in the United States.
The East-West Center promotes understanding and cooperation among the governments and peoplesbetter relations and understanding among the people and nations of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States through cooperative study, training, and research.
NED is a private, nonprofit organization established to support democratic institutions in over 90 countries.
The commissions and groups in the Other Commissions category of the State, Foreign OperationsSFOPS appropriations are organizations that are established by an act of Congress to advance certain U.S. objectives in the international arena. In the Federal Budgetfederal budget submission to Congress, these organizations are listed under the legislative branch Boards and Commissions; however, Congress funds them through State, Foreign Operations, and Related ProgramsLegislative Branch Boards and Commissions (with the exception of the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, which is listed under Other Independent Agencies); however, Congress funds them through SFOPS appropriations.
The 21-member Commissioncommission seeks to identify and report on cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that are associated with the heritage of U.S. citizens, particularly endangered properties. It also works to obtain, in cooperation with the Department of State, assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will be protected and preserved. The commission also encourages, sponsors, assists, and otherwise facilitates private and foreign government site restoration, preservation, and memorialization projects.
In consultation with the State Department, the commission seeks to promote international religious freedom.
The commission oversees the work of the It makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE)
The CSCE is an independent U.S. government commission that seeks to advance American interests by promoting human rights, military security, and economic cooperation in the 57-country Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), particularly in the area of humanitarian affairs.
The commission monitors China's compliance with international human rights agreements and standards, as well ashuman rights and the development of rule of law in China.
The commission monitors, investigates, and submits to Congress an annual report and recommendations on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People's Republic of China.
This title provides operational funds for USAID, an independent agency (under the foreign policy guidance of the Department of State) directly responsible for implementing most bilateral development assistance and disaster relief programs, many of which are funded in Title III.
The Operating Expense account funds the operational costs of USAID including salaries and benefits, overseas and Washington, DC, operations, staff training, security, and information technology maintenance and upgrades.
A program begun in FY2003, the Capital Investment Fund supports USAID modernization of information technology systems and the construction of facilities overseas.
This account supports operational costs of USAID's Inspector General office, which conducts audits and investigations of USAID programs, as well as of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Foundation, the United States African Development Foundation, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
Under this title, funds are appropriated in support of U.S. government departments and independent agencies conducting humanitarian, development, and other programs meeting U.S. foreign policy objectives throughout the world.
Funds in this category of appropriations are provided chiefly through USAID or in close association with the Department of State.
Global Health Programs is made up of two accounts supporting multiple health activities conducted by USAID and the Department of State:
Managed by USAID, appropriations in this account fund programs focused on combating infectious diseases such as immunization and oral rehydration; HIV/AIDS; malaria; tuberculosis; maternal and child health; vulnerable children; and family planning and reproductive health.
Managed by the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC) in the Department of State, this account is the largest source of funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Programs funded from this account are implemented by USAID, the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Peace Corps, among others. A specified amount from the Global Health-State account supports the U.S. contribution to the multilateral organization, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Managed by USAID, the Development Assistance account funds programs infocused on agriculture, private sector development, microcredit, water and sanitation, education, environment, and democracy and governance, among othersother sectors.
Managed by the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the account provides relief and rehabilitation to nations struck by natural and manmade disasters and emergencies.
In recent years, the account has been used increasingly to provide emergency food assistance to supplement commodity food aid provided through the P.L. 480 Title II account in the agriculture appropriation.The Transition Initiatives account supports the activities of USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), a program launched in 1994 to bridge the gap between disaster and development aid. It supports flexible, short-term assistance projects in transition countries that are moving from war to peace, civil conflict to national reconciliation, or where political instability has not yet erupted into violence and where conflict mitigation might prevent the outbreak of such violence.
The Fundfund allows USAID to respond to emerging or unforeseen crises with projects aimed at the root causes of conflict or instability. It is meant to replace funding formerly provided through the Department of Defense Section 1207 authority.
Managed by USAID, the Development Credit Authority specifies an amount of funds that may be transferred from other accounts to subsidize U.S. loan guarantees that assume a portion of the risk taken by private banks financing housing shelter projects, water and sanitation systems, and microcredit and small enterprise development programs, among others. The provision also directly appropriates administrative costs to run the credit program.
The Economic Support Fund uses economic assistance to advance U.S. political and strategic goals in countries of special importance to U.S. foreign policy. Key recipients in recent years include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Egypt, Colombia, and Jordan. Funding decisions are made by the State Department; programs are implemented largely by USAID.
The Fundfund supports democratization programs run by the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), and USAID's Office of Democracy and Governance.
This account, discontinued at the Obama Administration's request in FY2013, was reinstated in FY2016. It combines two formerly separate accounts into one. The two accounts were the following:
The Migration and Refugee Assistance program supports refugee relief activities worldwide and, in some cases, helps resettle refugees. Most MRA funds are channeled to international organizations such as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
ERMA holds contingency funds that can be drawn upon quickly in times of refugee emergencies. Appropriations replenish resources to this account.
The Peace Corps, established in 1961, sends U.S. volunteers to developing countries to provide technical aid and to promote mutual understanding on a people-to-people basis. In FY2015, 6,919 volunteers served in 63 nations.
Established in 2004, the MCC supports large-scale, five-year development projects, called "compacts," designed and implemented by recipient countries, which are selected on the basis of their commitments to good governance; investment in health, education, and the environment; and support for economic freedom.
The IAF finances small-scale enterprise and grassroots community self-help activities aimed at assisting poor people in Latin America.
The USADF finances small-scale enterprise and grassroots community self-help activities aimed at assisting poor people in Africa.
This technical assistance program supports financial advisors to countries seeking help in implementing economic reforms, focusing on banking and financial institutions, economic crimes, government debt, revenue policy, and budget and financial accountability.
The INCLE account funds international counter-narcoticscounternarcotics activities; anti-crimeanticrime programs, including fighting human trafficking; and rule of law activities, including support for judicial reform. For example, funds support the efforts in Mexico to enhance bilateral and regional cooperation to combat drug trafficking and organized crime, in Colombia and the Andean region for both drug interdiction and alternative development, and in Afghanistan to support judicial system reform and counter-narcotics activities.
This account funds a variety of State Department-managed activities aimed at countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, supporting anti-terrorismantiterrorism training and related activities, and promoting demining operations in developing nations.
Unlike the Title I Contributions to Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account, which provides assessed funds for peacekeeping forces, the PKO account provides voluntary support for multilateral efforts in conflict resolution, including the training of African peacekeepers and funding operations of the Multinational and Observers Mission in the Sinai. The State Department controls the funds and sets the policy; DOD implements the activities.
Through IMET, the United States provides training and education to selected foreign military and civilian personnel on U.S. military practices and standards, including democratic values. The State Department controls the funds and has policy authority; the Department of Defense implements this program.
The Foreign Military Financing Program supports U.S. overseas arms transfers on a grant basis. The State Department controls the funds and has policy authority; the Department of Defense implements this program.
This account provides voluntary donations through the Department of State to support the programs of international agencies involved in a range of development, humanitarian, and scientific activities, including the U.N. Development Program (UNDP), U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), and U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA).
This is distinct from the CIO account under Title I, which funds assessed contributions (dues) to international organizations.Under this category, funds are provided through the Department of the Treasury to a wide range of multilateral financial institutions, which offer loans—both "soft" (i.e., concessional) and "hard" (i.e., near-market rate)—and some grants to developing countries and private sector entities in those countries. Not all international financial institutions require or receive U.S. contributions from year to year.69
In the case of concessional lending institutions, U.S. appropriations contribute to periodically agreed donor replenishments as capital is drawn down. Cosponsored by the UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank, the GEF makes grants to help developing countries deal with global environmental problems. As the World Bank's "soft loan" window, IDA lends at concessional rates to low-income countries. Non-concessionalNonconcessional bank institutions rarely require new financial commitments. In FY2018, funds were appropriated for the following entities.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
World Bank: International Development Association (IDA)
bank institutions rarely require new financial commitments. However, following the global financial crisis, donor countries agreed to increase the capital base of the hard loan windows. Congress authorized participation in the capital increases in FY2011 (P.L. 112-10) and FY2012 (P.L. 112-74), and appropriations of the U.S. commitment have been spread out over a multiyear period (five to eight years, depending on the institution). In FY2017 funds were appropriated towards the capital increases for the hard lending facilities at three multilateral development banks. Congress also appropriated funds to multilateral funds focused specifically on the environment and food security.
Cosponsored by the UNDP, UNEP, and the World Bank, the GEF makes grants to help developing countries deal with global environmental problems.
As the World Bank's "soft loan" window, IDA lends at concessional rates to low-income countries.
The IBRD is the World Bank window that provides loans on near-market terms to promote economic development primarily in middle-income countries, based largely on bond sales. Appropriated funds support the "general capital increase" at the IBRD.
The IADB promotes economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean by providing near-market rate loans through its ordinary capital account and concessional loans to the poorest nations through its Fund for Special Operations (FSO). Appropriated funds support the "general capital increase" at the IDB.
The AsDF is the "soft loan" window of the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), which finances economic development programs in Asia and the Pacific.
The AfDB lends at near-market rates, with special emphasis on agriculture, infrastructure, and industrial development. To support a general capital increase, legislative provisions include both paid-in capital and callable capital subscriptions.7
The AfDF lends on concessional terms to low-income sub-Saharan African countries. It resides within the African Development Bank.
IFAD is a multilateral financial institution helping developing countries increase agricultural productivity and income, improve nutritional levels, and integrate into larger markets.
The GAFSP was established with leading developed and developing countries (the G-20) to increase investments in agriculture and food security in poor countries. The United States chairs the Steering Committee of this fund.
The Export-Import Bank issues loan guarantees and insurance to commercial banks that make trade credits available to American exporters. The Bankbank also extends direct loans to U.S. businesses, especially those whose counterparts abroad receive foreign government-subsidized trade credits. An appropriation is provided for the agency's inspector general. An appropriation ceiling is also specified for a subsidy to support the agency's programs and administrative expenses, but most, if not all, of these costs are annually covered by Bankbank receipts.
OPIC offers political risk insurance, guarantees, and investment financing to encourage U.S. firms to invest in developing countries. Although the agency is self-sustaining, the appropriation sets ceilings on administrative expenses to carry out the insurance programs and denotes a level of support for credit financing.
The TDA finances feasibility studies and other project-planning services for major development activities in developing countries, to support economic development and to promote U.S. exports.
Under the General Provisions title are limitations and prohibitions on assistance; administrative, notification, and reporting requirements; and more detailed funding mandates for specific accounts in other titles of the legislation.8 Provisions also address specific countries and regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (§7035 through §7041); sub-Saharan Africa (§7042); East Asia and Pacific (§7043); South and Central Asia (§7044); Latin America and the Caribbean (§7045); and former Soviet Union (§7046 and §7070)11 This title specifies allocations for various aid sectors, including education, democracy promotion, water and sanitation, and food security, as well as cross-cutting issues such as gender equality. In addition, Title VII provides more detail about aid to certain countries and regions.
Since FY2012, executive branch budget requests have distinguished between "core" or "enduring" international affairs funding and funding to support "overseas contingency operations" (OCO), described. The OCO designation was described initially in budget documents as reflecting "the extraordinary costs of Department [of State] and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) operations and programs in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan" and extended by the Obama Administration in 2014 to include efforts to combat the Islamic State.912 Congress has adopted this approach, but has defined OCO more broadly. In each of the past five years, Congress appropriatedappropriating OCO funding for a broader range of countries and activities, particularly, according to the FY2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act's Joint Explanatory Statement, "in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa; security, stabilization, and peacekeeping programs; humanitarian activities; and counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts." OCO funding isan even broader range of countries and activities. OCO funding supports accounts that received core funding in Titles I-V of the legislation, but is identified separately in Title VIII. OCO funds are not counted toward spending caps established by the Budget Control Act, 2011, as amended (P.L. 112-25).
Author Contact Information
Key Policy Staff
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Area of Expertise |
Name |
Phone |
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State Department Appropriations |
Cory Gill |
[phone number scrubbed] |
[email address scrubbed] |
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Foreign Operations Appropriations |
[author name scrubbed] |
[phone number scrubbed] |
[email address scrubbed] |
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Foreign Operations Appropriations |
Marian Leonardo Lawson |
[phone number scrubbed] |
[email address scrubbed] |
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Foreign Operations Appropriations |
[author name scrubbed] |
[phone number scrubbed] |
[email address scrubbed] |
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Multilateral Assistance |
Rebecca Nelson |
[phone number scrubbed] |
[email address scrubbed] |
| 1. |
International affairs is one category of the various components of the federal budget designated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Each category represents a major objective and operation of the federal government. Each function and subfunction is assigned a three-digit code. International affairs is 150. Subfunction 151 encompasses international development and humanitarian assistance; subfunction 152 consists of security assistance programs, etc. Accounts under the International Commissions category of the legislation are the exception—they are part of the 300 Natural Resources Budget Function. |
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| 2. |
Until the 110th Congress, the State Department and Foreign Operations portions of the bill were developed in different Appropriations subcommittees and considered as separate bills. |
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| 3. |
CRS Report RS20371, Overview of the Authorization-Appropriations Process, by [author name scrubbed] |
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| 4. |
See §15 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2680) and §10 of the Foreign Military Sales Act amendments, 1971 (22 U.S.C. 2412). |
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| 5. |
For example, see §7022 of the |
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| 6. | |
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See §135 of P.L. 103-236, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2684a). 7.
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See 22 U.S.C. ch. 48 8.
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The accounts were commonly known as the SEED Act account (Support for East European Democracy), after its authorizing legislation (P.L. 101-179), and the FREEDOM Support Act account (Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act), after its authorizing legislation (P.L. 102-511). 9.
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Among those that sometimes receive funding but for which there was either no FY2018 are the following:
World Bank: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD.) The IBRD is the World Bank window that provides loans on near-market terms to promote economic development primarily in middle-income countries, based largely on bond sales. Appropriated funds support the "general capital increase" at the IBRD. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB.)The IADB promotes economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean by providing near-market rate loans through its ordinary capital account and concessional loans to the poorest nations through its Fund for Special Operations (FSO). Appropriated funds support the "general capital increase" at the IDB. World Bank Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency (MIGA). MIGA encourages private investment in developing countries by offering insurance against noncommercial risks such as expropriation. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The EBRD lends at near-market rates to help East European and former Soviet states adopt market economies. Private sector and privatizing public sector firms receive substantial amounts of EBRD lending. Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC). The Enterprise for the Americas Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). The MIF, a multi-donor trust fund residing within the Inter-American Development Bank, provides technical and financial assistance to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to reform their investment policies in order to attract foreign investment. Clean Technology Fund (CTF). This multilateral fund, for which the World Bank is trustee, seeks to reduce the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries by financing the extra costs of commercially available cleaner technologies over dirtier, conventional alternatives. Strategic Climate Fund (SCF). Another multi-donor fund seeking to address climate change under the auspices of the World Bank, the SCF supports three targeted programs: the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience, the Forest Investment Program, and the Program for Scaling-Up Renewable Energy in Low-Income Countries. Each program seeks to pilot new approaches and scaled-up activities to address climate change challenges in developing countries. Asian Development Bank (AsDB). The Asian Development Bank provides loans on near-market terms to promote economic development. North American Development Bank (NADBank). The NADBank is governed by the United States and Mexico as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It began lending in 1996 to finance environmental infrastructure projects along the U.S./Mexico border, as well as community adjustment and investment activities in both nations. Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) The GAFSP was established with leading developed and developing countries (the G-20) to increase investments in agriculture and food security in poor countries. The United States chairs the Steering Committee of this fund. 10 |
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U.S. financial commitments to the general capital increases include "paid-in" capital (money paid directly to the multilateral development bank) and "callable capital" (money that is a guarantee, but only paid in the event of a default). Callable capital |
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For further discussion, see CRS Report R40557, Foreign Operations Appropriations: General Provisions, by [author name scrubbed], [author name scrubbed], and [author name scrubbed]. |
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From Department of State, Congressional Budget Justification, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Fiscal Year 2015, p. 138, and White House, Office of Management and Budget, Budget Estimate No. 5, November 10, 2014. |