State Department Budget slashed

[Moses]

On June 7, the House Appropriations Committee approved, by voice vote, the FY2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce and Related Agencies spending bill (as yet unnumered).

The Department of Justice is receiving $21.4 billion -- a $1.1 billion increase.

The State Dept. will be funded at $9.5 billion, a $1.1 billion DECREASE -- a DECREASE of well over 10%!!!

So who is running and carrying out our foreign policy? Clearly there is NO intention to do so through diplomacy.

[karpomrx]

The 1.1 billion is being spent to provide body armor to all state department personel, This is part of a streamlining of cost by the DoD.

[Moses]

heh heh-- that and doing away with embassies and simply replacing them w/ military bases.

[Moses]

Do the math:
www.voanews.com/english/2005-07-20-voa76.cfm

US Senate Approves Bill to Fund Foreign Operations
By Deborah Tate
Capitol Hill
20 July 2005


The U.S. Senate has approved a $31.7 billion package to fund foreign operations, including economic and political aid to countries around the world.

The bill funds State Department functions and international organizations, bolsters security at U.S. embassies and other diplomatic facilities, and seeks to strengthen public diplomacy by funding international broadcasting and educational and cultural programs.

The measure provides funds for nonproliferation and anti-terrorism programs.  It includes assistance to a number of key nations, including U.S. partners in the war on terrorism.

For example, Pakistan would receive nearly $700 million in economic and military aid and Afghanistan would receive $920 million in economic and political assistance under the bill.

The legislation provides over $1 billion to support international peacekeeping operations.

It includes money for fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, for combating drug trafficking, and for promoting democracy around the world.

Bill Frist"America's national security depends on our ability to integrate and coordinate all of the elements of our national power," said Senator Bill Frist, Senate Majority Leader.  "It includes diplomacy, intelligence, economic strength, and military might.  The foreign operations bill advances those efforts and demonstrates our generosities and our priorities."

The House of Representatives approved their version of the legislation last month.  Differences in the two bills will have to be reconciled before a final measure is sent to President Bush for his signature.