战略与国际研究中心-Watershed-Investments-for-Food-Security-and-Climate-Change-Adaptation--2020-Budget-Insights-from-Malawi_31页_1mb

Summary of Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2020 Budget and Appropriations

Core Content

The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) budget for FY2020 reflects a significant reduction compared to the FY2019 enacted level. The Trump Administration requested $42.72 billion in discretionary funds, which is a 2.5% increase from the FY2019 request but a 21% decrease from the FY2019 enacted level. This budget is shaped by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA), which imposed discretionary spending caps, and includes mandatory retirement funds totaling $158.9 million, bringing the total to $42.88 billion.

Congressional action on FY2020 SFOPS appropriations was split between the House and Senate. The House Appropriations Committee approved H.R. 2839 on May 16, 2019, which provided $56.54 billion in total spending (including $8 billion in OCO funds). The Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 2583 on September 26, 2019, with a total of $55.16 billion in new funding (including $8 billion in OCO funds). A Continuing Appropriations Act, H.R. 4378, was also passed by the Senate on September 26, 2019, and signed by the President on September 27, 2019, continuing SFOPS funding at FY2019 levels through November 21, 2019.

Main Views

State Department and Related Agencies

• The Administration requested a 15.7% reduction in funding for the State Department and related agencies, from $16.46 billion to $13.87 billion.
• The House bill (H.R. 2740) provides $17.35 billion, a 10% increase over the FY2019 enacted level.
• The Senate committee bill (S. 2583) provides $16.53 billion, a 3% increase over FY2019 enacted funding.
• Key areas of funding cuts include:
  • Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs: 56% reduction
  • International Organizations: 26% reduction
  • U.S. Agency for Global Media: 22% reduction

Diplomatic Security

• The Administration requested $5.41 billion for diplomatic security, with $3.78 billion for Worldwide Security Protection (WSP) and $1.63 billion for Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance (ESCM).
• The House bill provides $6.09 billion for diplomatic security, a 1% increase over FY2019 enacted levels.
• The Senate bill provides $5.67 billion, an 11% reduction from FY2019 enacted levels.
• Both bills include funding for embassy construction in Qatar, Brazil, and Malawi, as well as new consulates in Italy and Indonesia.

International Assessments

• The U.S. pays assessed contributions to international organizations through the Contributions to International Organizations (CIO) account and to peacekeeping missions through the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account.
• The Administration requested a 26% cut in CIO funding, from $2.91 billion to $2.15 billion, and a 26% cut in CIPA funding, from $2.91 billion to $2.15 billion.
• The House bill provides $3.65 billion for CIO and CIPA, a 25% increase over FY2019 enacted levels, and includes $478.9 million to pay peacekeeping arrears.
• The Senate bill provides $3.05 billion for CIO and CIPA, a 5% increase over FY2019 enacted levels, and encourages the State Department to review peacekeeping missions for cost savings.

Key Information

Budget Trends

• SFOPS funding has fluctuated over the years, with the FY2020 request being the lowest since FY2009 (Figure 1).
• The FY2020 request includes no OCO funding, in contrast to previous years.
• The House and Senate bills differ in their total funding levels, with the House providing $56.54 billion and the Senate providing $55.16 billion.

Program Priorities

• Diplomatic Programs: The Administration requested $8.42 billion, a 8% reduction from FY2019 enacted levels. The House bill provides $9.25 billion, and the Senate bill provides $8.89 billion.
• Diplomatic Security: The Administration requested $5.41 billion, which is 11% less than FY2019 enacted levels. The House provides $6.09 billion, and the Senate provides $5.67 billion.
• International Organizations and Peacekeeping: The Administration requested a 26% cut in CIO and CIPA funding, citing reduced linkages to U.S. national security and economic interests. The House bill includes provisions to address peacekeeping arrears.

Legislative Developments

• The House passed the FY2020 SFOPS legislation (H.R. 2740) as part of a "minibus" bill on June 19, 2019.
• The Senate committee approved S. 2583 on September 26, 2019, but the full Senate had not yet considered it.
• A Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 4378) was passed to maintain FY2019 funding levels through November 21, 2019.

New Account Proposal

• The Administration proposed a new standalone account for Worldwide Security Protection (WSP), aiming to improve transparency between diplomatic programs and security activities.
• The House and Senate bills do not fully support this new account, though they do provide funding for WSP and ESCM.

Key Sectors

Development and Security Assistance

• The Administration requested a 23.5% reduction in foreign operations funding, with the largest cuts to:
  • Non-health development assistance: 39% cut
  • Humanitarian assistance: 34% cut
  • Global health: 28% cut
• The House bill provides $39.2 billion for foreign operations, a 34% increase over the Administration's request.
• The Senate bill provides $38.95 billion, which is nearly level with the House recommendation.

Country and Regional Aid

• The top 10 country recipients of U.S. aid are listed in Table 9, though specific allocations are not detailed in the summary.
• The House and Senate bills allocate aid differently across regions, with a focus on certain areas based on strategic priorities.

Conclusion

The FY2020 SFOPS budget and appropriations reflect a complex interplay between the Trump Administration's requests and congressional responses. While the Administration sought significant cuts, particularly in development and security assistance, the House and Senate provided higher funding levels than requested, with the House bill being the most supportive. The legislation includes provisions to address peacekeeping arrears, fund embassy security and construction, and maintain the State Department's operations. The final appropriation for FY2020 was not yet enacted at the time of the report, and further negotiations were expected.