ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
Alliance endorses American Decade of Sports Act
The Alliance for International Exchange is proud to endorse the bipartisan American Decade of Sports Act sponsored by Representatives Kamlager-Dove (D, CA-37) and Huizenga (R, MI-4) in the House and Senators Rosen (D-NV), Young (R-IN), Padilla (D-CA), and Curtis (R-UT) in the Senate.
October 2025: Potential Impact of a U.S. Government Shutdown on International Exchange Programs
As of 12:01 this morning (Wednesday, October 1), the U.S government fully shut down for the first time since 2019.
Where Things Stand: An Update on OMB Holds on ECA Funding
Last week, the Alliance for International Exchange learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to cut $100 million in FY25 funding for at least 22 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) international exchange programs.
OMB Moves to Cut FY25 Funding for at Least 22 ECA Programs
Yesterday, the Alliance for International Exchange learned that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to cut FY25 awards for at least 22 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) international exchange programs, which amounts to approximately $100 million in funding.
Potential FY26 Government Funding Scenarios
Over the last few weeks, Congress has gotten over two major hurdles that have an influence on FY26 appropriations negotiations and possible legislation: the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, the work on which was sucking the air out of everything else on Capitol Hill, and the $9 billion rescissions package for foreign assistance programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. With these two markers in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to game out some FY26 funding predictions.
House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee bill funds ECA at $700.95 million
The House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (formerly SFOPS) Subcommittee released its FY26 appropriations bill, and the proposed topline funding amount for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is $700,946,000.
Action Alert: Tell Congress to reject President’s budget proposal and support funding for international exchange programs
The Alliance for International Exchange, on behalf of its more than 90 U.S.-based members who implement international exchange programs is launching a campaign to urge Members of Congress to reject the President’s FY26 budget proposal and support funding for international exchange programs.
Lessons Learned: The First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration
International exchange programs make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” This has been an Alliance refrain since Secretary of State Marco Rubio first coined the phrase during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 15. It has fueled our advocacy over the past 100 days as we’ve worked to thaw a funding freeze, navigated Executive Orders and leaked memos impacting exchanges, prepared for expected proposed cuts to ECA funding, and so much more.Read on for four lessons from the past 100 days that we at the Alliance are reflecting on to inform our advocacy efforts going forward.
The Department of State Memo That Leaked: Let’s Talk About the Budget Process
This week in Washington began abuzz, first with rumors and speculation about a damaging memo possibly coming from the Department of State, and then real alarm when The Washington Post published a piece about a memo that was leaked to them proposing to slash the agency’s funding by nearly half, including the elimination of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The coverage of this memo has been breathless and dire. We at the Alliance saw the full memo, and it is very concerning.
Exchanges Aren’t Going Anywhere: Leaked State Department Memo and What It Means for Exchanges
On Monday, April 14, The Washington Post broke the news that a leaked internal Administration memo proposed cutting the State Department by 48% and eliminating the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and its exchange programs. While the memo is concerning and must be taken seriously, context is key: the memo is a proposal of a potential proposal and doesn’t mean the imminent elimination of ECA and exchange programs.
Advocacy Update: Exchange Funding Begins to Flow After Pause
As of Friday, March 28, Alliance members have received over 85% of outstanding State Department payments that had been withheld due to the ongoing funding freeze.
Action Alert: Urge Congress to Restore Vital International Exchange Funding
The Alliance for International Exchange, on behalf of its more than 90 U.S.-based members who implement international exchange programs, and in conjunction with NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad, is launching a campaign to urge Members of Congress to demand that the U.S. Department of State lift the freeze on international exchange funding.