June 24th, 2009 by Max

The full committee markup for State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs took place yesterday. Several cuts were made that will affect American democracy promotion efforts. Among cuts are:

• The National Endowment for Democracy (-$15 million from FY2009, due to “higher priority activities”)
• The Millennium Challenge Corporation (-$25 million from the President’s request, yet still $525 million more than FY2009)
• The Middle East Partnership Initiative (-$16 million from the President’s request, due to “higher priority activities”)
• The UN Democracy Fund (-$9.25 million from the President’s request, also due to “higher priority activities”)
• Transition Initiatives (-$26 million from the President’s request, due to “minimal justification for the Rapid Response Fund”)

Consistent with his campaign pledge to develop a Rapid Response Fund, President Obama’s FY10 budget request included $76 million to establish a fund that “will respond quickly to unforeseen opportunities to address divisive issues and reconcile competing interests in new and fragile democracies.” Under the umbrella of Transition Initiatives, the budget will include $26 million less than requested.

There has also been a cut of $253,803,000 from the President’s request for Development Assistance, though the extent to which cuts have been made to democracy and good governance aid is as of yet unclear.

Posted in Congress, Democracy Promotion, US foreign policy |