Washington, D.C. – Foreign Policy for America welcomes the release of President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request, which includes important investments in diplomacy and development programs that will further advance U.S. national security. Operating within the constraints of the bipartisan budget framework agreed to last Summer, the Administration’s request leaves critical priorities underfunded, but it would nevertheless constitute a net increase to the topline level of the International Affairs budget, fulfilling President Biden’s promise to revitalize U.S. diplomacy and restore American leadership on the world stage to deliver for the American people. As Congress moves ahead with the FY25 budget process, we call on thoughtful leaders in both chambers to treat this proposal for what it is: not the starting point in a protracted negotiation, but a firm and pragmatic topline consistent with the bipartisan budget caps established last Summer.
President Biden’s request includes over $64 billion for the State Department, USAID and other critical international programs. This includes allocating $500 million for the Green Climate Fund and overall support for developing country climate efforts that will fulfill the administration’s $11 billion annual climate finance pledge, approximately $1 billion to address root causes of migration from Central America, and $10.3 billion in humanitarian and refugee assistance. Importantly, the budget request prioritizes modernizing our foreign policy architecture, including expanding the use and oversight of AI within the State Department and over $2 million to reduce Foreign Service vacancies and expand State and USAID’s workforce by over 500 positions.
The Biden Administration’s commitment to strengthening U.S. diplomacy and development stands in stark contrast to the House Republicans, who sought nearly $10 billion in cuts to the FY24 International Affairs budget. These cuts would have resulted in devastating reductions in disaster assistance, girls’ education, and international health programs that support global stability and economic productivity. Thankfully, the Administration and the Senate have rejected the House Republicans’ reckless proposals, but their partisan approach has led to unnecessary delays to the completion of the FY24 funding process. It is well past time for Congress to provide full-year funding to the State Department, USAID, and other foreign affairs agencies.
Foreign Policy for America remains concerned that the level of the International Affairs budget is inadequate to meet the pressing foreign policy and national security challenges of the 21st century. For decades, diplomacy and development programs have been chronically underfunded, resulting in an extraordinary imbalance between investments in America’s military and non-military toolkit for engaging the world. While we applaud the Administration’s prioritization of alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and Europe in its defense budget request, the United States must also ensure that it properly resources our diplomatic engagement in these regions. A failure to do so risks conflict and ultimately undermines our national security.
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