International Affairs Budget:
Framework for Assessing Relevance, Priority, and Efficiency
T-NSIAD-98-18: Published: Oct 30, 1997. Publicly Released: Oct 30, 1997.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-4128
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the programs and activities funded by the international affairs budget, the function 150 account of the federal budget, focusing on the issues that should be raised in assessing the current programs and activities on the books that support U.S. foreign policy and economic objectives.
GAO noted that: (1) funding in the 150 account, which totalled $18.1 billion in fiscal year 1997, constitutes only 1 percent of the federal budget and just 3 to 4 percent of discretionary funding; (2) these expenditures fund activities that are designed to influence world political and economic agendas; (3) to support its interest in such agendas, the U.S. government maintains a worldwide infrastructure of embassies, missions, consulates, and trade offices, with an overseas staff of more than 35,000; (4) the 150 account funds a wide range of programs and activities; (5) a large percentage of the funds in the account is directed by Congress or the President for specific countries and purposes; (6) to facilitate the examination of 150 account funding, GAO grouped the various programs and activities into six categories: (a) security and peacekeeping operations; (b) bilateral assistance; (c) foreign affairs management; (d) public diplomacy; (e) multilateral assistance; and (f) trade and investment; and (7) GAO presented information on the funding levels and trends for activities in each of the six categories and also discussed the particular set of issues and questions that could be raised with respect to relevance, priority, and efficiency.
Dec 9, 2020
International Trade:
Observations On Whether Women's Rights and Economic Interests Are Protected or Promoted by U.S. Trade Preference ProgramsGAO-21-190: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 2, 2020
-
Foreign Assistance:
USAID Should Analyze Data on the Timeliness of ExpendituresGAO-21-51: Published: Dec 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
-
Global Food Security:
Information on Spending and Types of Assistance Provided by the United States and Other DonorsGAO-21-47R: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
-
Human Trafficking:
Agencies Have Taken Steps to Strengthen International Anti-trafficking ProjectsGAO-21-53: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020. -
Rule of Law Assistance:
State and USAID Could Improve Monitoring EffortsGAO-21-14: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 27, 2020
-
Forced Labor Imports:
DHS Increased Resources and Enforcement Efforts, but Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and MonitoringGAO-21-106: Published: Oct 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 27, 2020.
Oct 2, 2020
-
Combating Wildlife Trafficking:
Agencies Work to Address Human Rights Abuse Allegations in Overseas Conservation ProgramsGAO-21-139R: Published: Oct 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2020.
Sep 22, 2020
-
Cyber Diplomacy:
State Has Not Involved Relevant Federal Agencies in the Development of Its Plan to Establish the Cyberspace Security and Emerging Technologies BureauGAO-20-607R: Published: Sep 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 22, 2020.
Sep 15, 2020
-
Steel and Aluminum Tariffs:
Commerce Should Improve Its Exclusion Request Process and Economic Impact ReviewsGAO-20-517: Published: Sep 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 15, 2020.
Sep 14, 2020
-
Conflict Minerals:
Actions Needed to Assess Progress Addressing Armed Groups' Exploitation of MineralsGAO-20-595: Published: Sep 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on International Affairs
Explore our other Key Issues here
