Obama Boost State Budget

Ah, the shorthand we use.  President Obama has proposed a $5 billion increase in the budget for the Department of State for FY2011.  This is good news.  It is time to stop depending on the Department of Defense to do a lot of our overseas work.  It is time to bring the Department of State back into the picture.

The article, from The Washington Times is right here.  The author is Nicholas Kralev—no, I don't know him either.

President Obama on Monday proposed a $5 billion increase in the State Department's 2011 budget, most of which is intended for programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq — the only three countries to also benefit from an additional $4.5 billion this year.

Global health and development aid overseas will go up significantly in the fiscal year beginning in October, while the biggest decreases will affect the fight against HIV/AIDS and migration and refugee assistance.

The State Department budget request, including the U.S. Agency for International Development, totals $52.8 billion, Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew told reporters. Aid and civilian contributions to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq represents 20 percent of the entire budget, he added.

One of the good things about appointing Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State is the possibility that her voice will be heard in the corridors of power.

Regards  —  Cliff