On the heels of yesterday’s Policy Monitor item regarding broad Congressional support for a robust international affairs budget in FY 2011, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) reports that Senate Budget Committee Chair Kent Conrad (D-ND) cut President Obama’s FY 11 international affairs budget request by $4 billion, or 7 per cent. USGLC notes that this move “ignores bipartisan Senate support and calls from national security leaders to bolster funding for development and diplomacy.”

USGLC also reminds that “last year Sen. Conrad cut the President’s request by a similar amount, but full funding was restored by a Kerry-Lugar amendment on the Senate floor.” The Alliance will work closely with the USGLC in its advocacy efforts to restore this cut funding.