{
  "id": "R43577",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R43577",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "id": 436669,
      "date": "2014-12-23",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T22:51:23.197970",
      "title": "U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: Recent Trends and FY2015 Appropriations",
      "summary": "Geographic proximity has forged strong linkages between the United States and the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean, with critical U.S. interests encompassing economic, political, and security concerns. U.S. policy makers have emphasized different strategic interests in the region at different times, from combating Soviet influence during the Cold War to advancing democracy and open markets since the 1990s. Current U.S. policy is designed to promote economic and social opportunity, ensure citizen security, strengthen effective democratic institutions, and secure a clean energy future. As part of broader efforts to advance these priorities, the United States provides Latin American and Caribbean nations with substantial amounts of foreign assistance.\nTrends in Assistance\nSince 1946, the United States has provided over $160 billion (constant 2012 dollars) in assistance to the region. Funding levels have fluctuated over time, however, according to regional trends and U.S. policy initiatives. U.S. assistance spiked during the 1960s under President Kennedy\u2019s Alliance for Progress, and then declined in the 1970s before spiking again during the Central American conflicts of the 1980s. After another decline during the 1990s, assistance remained on a generally upward trajectory through the first decade of this century, reaching its most recent peak in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Aid levels for Latin America and the Caribbean have fallen in each of the past four fiscal years, however, as Congress has sought to trim the foreign aid budget and countries have been seen to require less assistance.\nFY2015 Obama Administration Request\nThe Obama Administration\u2019s FY2015 foreign aid budget request would continue the recent downward trend in assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. The Administration requested some $1.3 billion to be provided through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which is 10% below the FY2014 estimate and 27% lower than the amount provided in FY2012\u2014the last year before budget sequestration took effect. Under the request, the balance of U.S. assistance to the region would shift toward development aid and away from security aid, as each of the four major U.S. security initiatives would see cuts. Aid levels for Colombia, Haiti, and Mexico would decline, but they would continue to be the top three recipients in the region, accounting for 52% of all U.S. aid to Latin America and the Caribbean.\nCongressional Action\nIn recent years, the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations measure has been the primary legislative vehicle through which Congress reviews U.S. assistance. Although the House and Senate Appropriations Committees reported out their respective bills (H.R. 5013 and S. 2499) in June 2014, no action was taken on those measures. After funding foreign aid programs through a series of continuing resolutions, Congress included foreign assistance appropriations in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235), which the President signed into law on December 16, 2014. The legislation includes some $33.2 billion for bilateral economic assistance and international security assistance worldwide; this funding level is about 1.2% higher than the Administration\u2019s request (as amended), 9.6% higher than the House bill, and 5.7% higher than the Senate bill. \nIt is unclear how much foreign assistance will be directed to each of the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean, however, since, for the most part, appropriations levels for individual countries and programs are not specified in the legislation or the accompanying explanatory statement. Nevertheless, funding for a number of countries and programs will exceed the Administration\u2019s request. The legislation provides at least $24 million more than was requested for Colombia, $64 million more than was requested for Mexico, and $130 million more than was requested for the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI).",
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462104/",
      "id": "R43577_2014Sep10",
      "date": "2014-09-10",
      "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41",
      "title": "U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: Recent Trends and FY2015 Appropriations",
      "summary": "This report provides an overview of U.S. assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines historical and recent trends in aid to the region as well as the Obama Administration's FY2015 request for State Department and U.S Agency for International Development (USAID)-administered assistance. It also tracks congressional action on foreign aid appropriations for Latin America and the Caribbean in FY2015, and raises questions Congress may consider as it appropriates funding for the region.",
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          "id": "Foreign policy",
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          "id": "Foreign economic relations -- Central America and Caribbean -- U.S.",
          "name": "Foreign economic relations -- Central America and Caribbean -- U.S."
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          "id": "Foreign relations -- Central America and Caribbean",
          "name": "Foreign relations -- Central America and Caribbean"
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      "id": "R43577_2014Jun03",
      "date": "2014-06-03",
      "retrieved": "2014-08-27T12:47:05",
      "title": "U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: Recent Trends and FY2015 Appropriations",
      "summary": "This report provides an overview of U.S. assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines historical and recent trends in aid to the region as well as the Obama Administration's FY2015 request for State Department and U.S Agency for International Development (USAID)-administered assistance. It also tracks congressional action on foreign aid appropriations for Latin America and the Caribbean in FY2015, and raises questions Congress may consider as it appropriates funding for the region.",
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          "id": "Foreign policy",
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          "id": "Foreign economic relations -- Central America and Caribbean -- U.S.",
          "name": "Foreign economic relations -- Central America and Caribbean -- U.S."
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          "id": "Foreign relations -- Central America and Caribbean",
          "name": "Foreign relations -- Central America and Caribbean"
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          "id": "Foreign aid",
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  "topics": [
    "Appropriations",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Latin American Affairs",
    "National Defense"
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}