Subject: Good budget news to report
From: "Liz.Schrayer" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 7 May 2014 07:57:04 -0400

Dear USGLC Board of Directors,

We are pleased to share the good news that the House 302(b) spending allocation for the International Affairs Budget is very strong - essentially maintaining current funding levels.

On Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee will vote on the binding FY15 spending allocations known as 302(b) allocations, including a number for the State-Foreign Operations (which contains about 95% of the International Affairs Budget) of $42.4 billion for base funding, only $200 million below current levels, and the OCO war-related funding of $5.9 billion which is at the same level as the Administration's request.

This is a significant development, particularly given the large cuts proposed in past year's House appropriations allocations.  As you recall from our last Board discussion, this was the best case scenario and would not have happened without your efforts and strategic direction.  A special shout out to Chairman Hal Rogers, who our military leaders met with last month, and to Chairwoman Kay Granger, who we honored at our Tribute Dinner last year.  Our work on Capitol Hill and around the country with these and other Republicans members has paid off (so far.)

The fight is certainly not over, and the Senate will announce their allocations on May 22.  We need to be vigilant in case these bills come to the floor this summer,  but we're in a much stronger position in the House than we've been in recent years.

Liz and Tod