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Dear Board of Directors,

I wanted to give you the behind the scenes intel on the conclusion of this year’s FY17 funding bill. The bottom line for the International Affairs Budget is actually very strong given the current environment, though publicly our posture is much more guarded – we need to be smart as we position ourselves heading into the FY18 negotiations. Here<http://www.usglc.org/2017/05/01/usglc-statement-on-fy17-omnibus-appropriations-bill/> is my press release on the FY17 Omnibus.

With only five months left in Fiscal Year 2017, lawmakers finally came to an agreement last night to fund the government – and as I said, we have good news to report.

1. Topline numbers. Congress is set to approve $54.8 billion for the International Affairs Budget in FY17, a slight increase (about 1%) above FY16 enacted levels, which includes additional funding for famine relief. When you add in the emergency funding to counter ISIS approved in December, the total for FY17 comes to just under $60 billion ($59.1 billion.) A big win not just because of the innumerable challenges we currently face, but because of the daunting landscape we have to overcome in FY18.

2. The backstory. What’s remarkable is that this account is actually an 8% increase above FY16 when the emergency funding to counter ISIS (approved late last year) is considered. In contrast, back in March, the Administration recommended a 5% cut to our budget in order to pay for the “wall” and defense build-up. We got an early indication that this recommendation was “dead on arrival” but as negotiations dragged on, we took nothing for granted and pushed forward. The final funding level in the Omnibus is just about the same as when the FY17 appropriations process began – right in the middle of the pack, as some agencies fared better and some fared worse.

The headwinds we face in FY18 are strong but this Omnibus bill lays down an important bipartisan marker. Congress had the chance to disproportionately cut the International Affairs Budget – and they chose not to. That’s hopeful news going into the next battle.

3. Famine funding. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the hard work that went into securing nearly $1 billion in additional funding to address the four famines facing South Sudan, Somalia, northern Nigeria, and Yemen. Many of you were the drivers behind this funding and given what Carolyn Miles has reported from her trip to Somalia, it could not come at a more urgent time.

4. Report language on reorganization. We will have a full analysis of the bill later this week, but there is one more important item to share. Congress added reporting language requiring the Administration to report on any reorganization plan or action taken pursuant to the March Executive Order, particularly with its impact on national security and civilian personnel. This is the first legislative move Congress has made to ensure they are involved in any decision related to plans for reorganization at State and USAID, such as merging USAID into State. This is very good news.

More soon.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC