Prevent War: Obama Requests an Ounce of Prevention

Prevent War: Obama Requests an Ounce of Prevention

Topics in this message:

  1. Hill Update: Administration’s 2010 Budget Invests in Prevention
  2. Take Action: Urge Congress to Invest in Preventing Deadly Conflict
  3. Additional Resources
  4. New Resources at FCNL.org

1. Hill Update: Administration’s 2010 Budget Invests in Prevention

“Expenditures on diplomacy and development represent an investment which in the long run is less costly in terms of lives and dollars than defense spending that would otherwise be required.” ~ excerpt from President Obama’s budget request for FY2010.

This administration gets it. Preventing wars is cheaper than fighting them.

Last week, President Obama sent Congress the full details of his 2010 budget request. It included an unprecedented increase for the international affairs budget (a 9.2% increase from FY09 appropriations) and specific investments in diplomacy, development, and international cooperation that would strengthen the United States’ capacity to help prevent deadly conflict and mitigate crises.

President Obama’s budget would:

  • Add a total of 1,181 new full time employees to the State Department and USAID. More than 700 of these positions would be Foreign Service officers for the State Department.
  • Provide $323 million for the Civilian Response Corps – teams of civilians with expertise in policing, transitional governance, economics, engineering, and other areas critical to rebuilding war-torn countries. This request is more than double what was appropriated last year.
  • Provide $40 million for a new “stabilization bridge fund,” or a fund enabling the State Department to provide rapid assistance in crisis situations.
  • Fully meet U.S. obligations to international organizations, including the U.N. and peacekeeping operations.
  • Nearly triple the budget for USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), which provides assistance to help countries transition from deadly conflict to sustainable peace. Of the $126 million proposed budget for this program, $76 million would support a new and much needed rapid response fund.

In short, President Obama’s international affairs budget would seriously boost the ability of U.S. civilian agencies, particularly the State Department and USAID, to respond faster and more appropriately to help stabilize crises, prevent conflicts from turning deadly, and promote durable peace.

2. Take Action: Urge Congress to Invest in Preventing Deadly Conflict

In tough economic times, members of Congress may look to cut the sizeable increase President Obama has requested for the international affairs budget in 2010. Opponents will likely go after new pots of money, like the much-needed rapid response funds requested for the State Department and USAID. FCNL will be lobbying Congress to support the president’s investments in prevention. But we need your help!

Please urge your members of Congress to support the president’s 2010 international affairs budget request, particularly funding for the tools of diplomacy, development, and international cooperation.

3. Additional Resources

“Obama Administration Boosting US Diplomatic Corps,” (VOA News)

“Prevention Without Hard Power: Mission Impossible?” Kyle Matthews (Human Rights and Human Welfare)

4. New Resources at FCNL.org

Climate Legislation – Sign on Letter to Key Congressman

100 Peace Groups Urge Progressive Caucus to Oppose War Funding