FY 2018 Congressional Budget Justification - Secretary's Letter | U.S. Department of Stat..

usaid.gov; see also.

image (not from entry) from

Excerpt:

THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
May 23, 2017

America continues to be the world’s beacon of freedom and the greatest force for good and stability. This year’s budget request addresses the challenges to American leadership abroad and the importance of defending our national security interests. It acknowledges that U.S. diplomacy engagement and aid programs must be more efficient and more effective, and that advancing our national security, our economic interests, and our values will remain our primary mission. This budget is responsive to the realities of the world in the 21st century, and the need for a State Department that operates with maximum flexibility in an ever-changing international environment. An optimally functioning State Department and USAID will deploy funding that restores the leadership the American people and allies depend on for stability, security, and prosperity. This budget reflects a commitment to ensure every tax dollar spent is aligned with mission-critical objectives. 

The FY 2018 budget request for the State Department and USAID is $37.6 billion. This budget request supports the President’s “America First” vision with a commitment to four key national priorities:

• Defending U.S. National Security
• Asserting U.S. Leadership and Influence
• Fostering Opportunities for U.S. Economic Interests
• Ensuring Effectiveness and Accountability to the U.S. Taxpayer

The FY 2018 request of $37.6 billion includes $25.6 billion in enduring funding, and $12.0 billion in Overseas Contingency Operations funding. To carry out these strategic objectives, the FY 201 8 budget request reflects four high-priority areas: ...

2. Asserting U.S. Leadership and Influence ...

The request includes $820 million in public diplomacy resources and programming. Funding for the Department’s core Public Diplomacy personnel and programs is continued at $535 million, while funding for Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs is reduced to focus on proven successful programs, such as Fulbright and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). ...

4. Ensuring Effectiveness and Accountability to the U.S. Taxpayer: ...

The FY 201 8 budget eliminates programs that can draw on other private and public resources, to include the Asia Foundation and the East West Center. ...

Sincerely,
Rex W. Tillerson
Secretary of State

Date
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - 12:30pm