Global Ties US has released a news brief regarding the Fiscal Year 2108 Blueprint and discusses the proposed major cut in the budget to the US Department of State. It is suggested that there will be significant but unspecified cuts to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).
Cuts of this magnitude to the State Department, and specifically the ECA, would seriously undermine educational and cultural exchange programs that have been a critical component of U.S. national security policy since the end of World War II.
There is support amongst Congress members for international exchange programs. Furthermore, the State Department and USAID are “essential” to promoting America’s interests abroad along with “preventing conflict and countering extremism” says Secretary of Defense General James Mattis.
This blueprint is the current administration’s recommendation and will be resolved in early winter next year. We will be counting on you to educate your elected officials about the importance of public diplomacy programs. Global Ties US will be putting out a call to action to resist significant cuts to the ECA by advocating together with other like-minded coalitions.