The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is similar to foreign ministries, foreign offices, ministries of external relations, etc. in other countries. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the United States Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S.

Funding Highlights:

• Reflects the Administration's commitment to strengthen diplomatic and assistance tools to address current and future challenges that impact the security of the United States.
• Puts the United States on a path to double U.S. foreign assistance. This funding will help the world's weakest states reduce poverty, combat global health threats, develop markets, govern peacefully, and expand democracy worldwide.
• Supports the worldwide operations of the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, provides new resources to hire additional Foreign Service officers, and builds civilian capacity to meet the challenges of today's world.
• Increases non-military aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan to revitalize economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban. Realigns U.S. assistance to Iraq to help responsibly end the war and enable Iraqis to assume more control of their country.
• Provides additional funding for key programs that advance U.S. foreign policy goals, including significantly increasing funding for energy initiatives, programs addressing global climate change, agriculture investments, and the Peace Corps.
• Provides full funding of all 2010 scheduled payments to the Multilateral Development Banks and a portion of the outstanding arrears to reinforce the U.S. commitment to play a leadership role in these institutions. Increases the U.S. quota subscription to the International Monetary Fund as part of the 2008 agreement on the Fund's reform, which will promote a strong international economy and maintain the U.S. voting share at the International Monetary Fund.
• Meets U.S. financial commitments to the United Nations and other international organizations that support a wide range of U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic goals.
• Supports United Nations peacekeeping activities that help restore and maintain peace around the world.
• Responds to global security threats by increasing counterterrorism and law enforcement aid to critical partner nations including those in the Western Hemisphere, as well as increasing funding for nonproliferation activities to secure nuclear material at vulnerable sites.
• Ensures that the United States continues to be the world's leader in providing food aid and life-sustaining support for refugees and other conflict and disaster victims.
• Improves fiscal discipline and transparency by shifting funding for recurring programs, previously funded in supplemental appropriations, into the 2010 Budget.

Puts the united States on a Path to double foreign Assistance

By increasing foreign assistance, the United States will reach out to the global community and renew its role as a leader in global development and diplomacy. Through increased foreign assistance funding, the United States will embark on several new initiatives that will give children in the poorest countries access to education ensuring they can participate in the global marketplace; foster global food security through sustainable agriculture; expand goodwill and inspire service by increasing the size of the Peace Corps; and stabilize post-conflict states, creating room for them to plant the seeds of democracy.

Increases funding for Global health Programs

The Administration will continue to build on its commitment to save lives through increasing investments in global health programs, including areas such as maternal and child health, family planning and other core health programs, while also emphasizing a commitment to HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through successful programs, such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief and the Malaria Initiative. Together with our multilateral partners, the United States will continue to provide global leadership to improve the health status of the world's poorest populations.

Reinvigorates Counter-Proliferation, Anti- Terrorism, and Transnational Crime-fighting Efforts

The Budget will fund reinvigorated efforts to counter proliferation, terrorism, and transnational crime. By fostering opportunity and security worldwide, this initiative will make the American people safer at home. This Budget includes first-year funding for a multi-year counterterrorism and law enforcement assistance program that strengthens the capabilities of our international partners in the Western Hemisphere and other critical regions around the world. The Budget also provides additional nonproliferation and counter-proliferation funding that will be used to help secure nuclear materials and promote safe civilian uses of nuclear energy.

Refocuses Resources to Priorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq

The 2010 Budget refocuses U.S. resources toward addressing the resurgence of al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Budget increases non-military assistance to both countries, providing additional funding for governance, reconstruction, counter-narcotics, and other development activities that will help counter extremists. The Budget expands the number of civilian personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to stabilize these countries, build government capacity, and successfully manage expanded assistance programs. The Budget strengthens our assistance to Iraqis who have been displaced from their homes because of the war. The Budget also realigns our assistance efforts in Iraq to ensure that Iraqis can assume more responsibility for their own political and economic future.

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