ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
House passes FY27 funding bill, rejects amendment to eliminate Fulbright funding
Yesterday, the House approved the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations bill, sending its funding proposal for the Department of State and exchange programs to the Senate in a major step forward for the appropriations process. The bill includes topline FY27 funding for educational and cultural exchange programs at $647 million and did not include an amendment that would have eliminated funding for the Fulbright Program.
New ECA Assistant Secretary confirmed
On May 18, Catherine Dillon was confirmed by the Senate as the new Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Assistant Secretary Dillon was confirmed 46-43 as part of a group of 49 nominations.
ECA’s Account Is Full: What Is Apportionment And Why It Matters To Exchanges
Apportionment is the practice by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of transparently making deposits into the accounts of federal agencies, which was codified into law in the FY22 appropriations bill. What does this practice mean for exchange funding?
Thirty-eight Senators sign letter supporting robust FY27 exchange funding and funding protections
On April 30, 2026, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and thirty-seven fellow Senators sent a letter on behalf of educational and cultural exchange programs to the Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Senate Committee on Appropriations leadership.
House appropriations subcommittee bill funds ECA at $647 million for FY27
In a rejection of the Administration’s recent budget request, the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP, formerly SFOPS) Subcommittee proposed funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $647 million.
President’s FY27 budget proposes 68% cut to Department of State exchange programs
Released last week, the PBR proposes funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $215 million for FY27, a 68% topline cut from the FY26 enacted level. The complementary Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ) provides further detail on how these cuts would be enacted, proposing the elimination of 15+ programs and slashing funding for countless more.
Nominee for ECA Assistant Secretary takes the stage during Senate confirmation hearing
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) held a confirmation hearing today for Catherine Dillon, the nominee for Assistant Secretary of State at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State. If confirmed, Ms. Dillon will lead the U.S.’ global efforts to engage individuals through academic, cultural, professional, sports, film, music, and youth exchanges.
Making J-1s a Priority: The Importance of J-1 Visa Appointment Availability to the U.S. in Summer 2026
We’re less than three months out from the start of the summer season for U.S. businesses and communities, and one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the U.S. has a J-1 visa appointment availability problem.
Exchange programs take center stage in Under Secretary Rogers’ first appearance before Congress since confirmation
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 5, 2026, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle brought U.S. Department of State international exchange programs to the forefront of their questioning and remarks.
National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill funds exchanges at $667 million for FY26
On Sunday, January 11, the House Appropriations Committee introduced the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. This bill is the product of negotiations between House and Senate appropriators, and key to advancing full-year funding for FY26. The legislation provides $667 million for educational and cultural exchanges, a significant signal of Congress’ continued support for ECA exchange programs amid a broader environment of sweeping funding cuts.
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.
Unnecessary visa interview pause threatens U.S. prosperity and security
The Trump administration’s decision to temporarily pause scheduling F, M, and J visa appointments jeopardizes the success of international exchange programs essential to the U.S.’ economic prosperity and national security.
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.
President’s FY26 budget proposes to essentially eliminate State Department exchange programs
We expected it, but it’s still deeply disappointing to see. The President’s FY26 budget proposal would essentially eliminate State Department 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.
Policy Update: ECA Remains Intact Amidst Major State Department Reorganization
This morning, Secretary of State Rubio shared his vision for a reorganization of the Department of State, including a new org chart, attached here