U.S. Would Funnel More Money Into Diplomacy

The State Department is poised to realize significantly larger percentage budget increases than the Pentagon — a reflection, officials say, of a bipartisan consensus that civilians should play a greater role in U.S. foreign policy. Bills passed recently by House and Senate committees would increase State Department and related spending by about 25% from what was spent in 2008 and nearly double the 2005 level. The new money, some of which is included in a 2009 supplemental spending bill passed and signed last month, is set for 1,300 new diplomats, major new development programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and increases in foreign and humanitarian assistance. By contrast, overall spending by the military would increase .2% to $664 billion under the Defense Department's 2010 budget proposal.