At a recent hearing examining U.S. public diplomacy efforts to stem the tide of anti-Americanism in the Islamic world, Senators called for more resources for public diplomacy and exchange programs.

"Money alone will not solve our public diplomacy problems. But I respectfully suggest that we need to invest a lot more in public diplomacy," said ranking Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) at the February 26 hearing. "We have proven programs in educational and citizen exchanges, cultural diplomacy, and international broadcasting - all of which are underfunded. We only hurt ourselves, and the national interest, by such parsimony."

Tuesday, March 2, 2004
2:00 p.m.
Host: American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, 7 th Floor

On March 2, the State Department Task Force, chaired by Sandra Lauffer (AED), met to discuss the State Department budget and appropriations cycle for FY 2005.

Repeatedly citing polling data showing profound anti-American sentiment around the world, senior members of Congress today expressed disappointment at the Bush Administration's reaction to a major report on U.S. public diplomacy in the Middle East, calling the response 'lackluster', 'tepid', and 'discouraging'.

In his FY 2005 budget, which tightens spending for most discretionary programs outside of homeland security and defense, President Bush called for a small increase in spending for educational and cultural exchange programs at the Department of State. The FY 2005 request of $345.346 million is equal to the amount requested last year, and $25.346 million above the amount appropriated by Congress in FY 2004.

In his FY 2005 budget, which tightens spending for most discretionary programs outside of homeland security and defense, President Bush called for a small increase in spending for educational and cultural exchange programs at the Department of State. The FY 2005 request of $345.346 million is equal to the amount requested last year, and $25.346 million above the amount appropriated by Congress in FY 2004.

Following a long and contentious process, the Senate this afternoon passed the $820 billion fiscal year (FY) 2004 omnibus spending package which includes $320 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, $500,000 for the Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowships Commission, $1 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and $1.65 billion for HIV/AIDS, among other programs. The final agreement which funds seven of the 13 annual appropriations bills, was approved by the House in early December.

Following a long and contentious process, the Senate this afternoon passed the $820 billion fiscal year (FY) 2004 omnibus spending package which includes $320 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, $500,000 for the Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowships Commission, $1 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and $1.65 billion for HIV/AIDS, among other programs. The final agreement which funds seven of the 13 annual appropriations bills, was approved by the House in early December. The Senate held back its approval until today, almost four months into the fiscal year, because of several contentious issues unrelated to exchanges in the bill. The legislation is now cleared for President Bush's signature.

The omnibus funding legislation that incorporates seven appropriations bills includes language and funding for a commission to recommend a significant new program to increase study abroad by American university students.