The bill provides a total of $48.7 billion for State Department programs, contributions to international organizations, and foreign aid, which is two percent below the level appropriated in FY 2009 (including supplemental funding) and $3.3 billion below the amount requested by the President.

Assessed Contributions to International Organizations

The consolidated spending package includes $1.68 billion to pay U.S. dues to 45 multilateral organizations, which is $115 million below the President’s request and $14.5 million below the House- and Senate-passed level.

In their conference report (H. Rept. 111-366), House and Senate negotiators note the deletion from the final bill of a Senate provision directing the State Department to “prioritize synchronization payments to international organizations that are important to the security interests of the United States.” In its FY 2010 budget request, issued last spring, the administration requested $175 million to begin the process of synchronizing U.S. assessed payments to international organizations. Currently, the United States pays its dues to nearly every international organization at the end of the year, instead of the beginning of the year when they are due.

In its budget documents, the administration noted that the “full and timely payment of assessed contributions affects the standing and influence that the U.S. has at international organizations.”  In addition, it stated, “When the U.S. falls behind in the timing of its payments…advancing the U.S. financial and management reform agenda can become very challenging as other nations, particularly those which are not like-minded, use late payment of assessed contributions as a distraction in negotiations.”

The conference report endorses House language requiring the administration to report on the status of late U.S. payments to international organizations. Separately, the bill includes a new provision requiring the State Department to report to Congress on resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.  

Assessed Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities

The bill includes up to $2.18 billion for UN peacekeeping dues payments, which is $80 million below the President’s request.  The bill also amends a longstanding statutory cap limiting the share of UN peacekeeping expenses that the United States can pay, raising it from 25 percent to 27.3 percent for calendar year 2010. The cap has been lifted in recent years to prevent the United States from generating new UN arrears.

At the end of 2009, the General Assembly adopted new peacekeeping assessment levels for the next three years. The United States rate will increase from 25.9 percent in 2009 to 27.17 in 2010 and 27.14 percent in 2011 and 2012.  The regular budget rate will remain unchanged at 22 percent.

In their report, House and Senate negotiators expressed support for the work of the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) “to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse, including sexual abuse, in peacekeeping operations and to recommend corrective action and reform.” The report directs the State Department to help provide adequate resources for OIOS to fulfill its mandate and to request from OIOS an annual performance report covering its budget and activities.

Voluntary Contributions to International Organizations

The bill provides $394 million for voluntary contributions to international organizations, including UN funds and programs. This is an increase of $37.4 million above the President’s budget request. The bill includes $132.2 million for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF); $100.5 million for the UN Development Fund (UNDP); $65 million for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in addition to an assessed contribution; $11.5 million for the UN Environment Program (UNEP); $7 million for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and $3 million for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In addition to directing $6 million to the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and $3 million to the UNIFEM Trust Fund, the conference report expresses support for UN efforts to address the needs of women and girls. The report notes the adoption of a General Assembly resolution last September creating a new UN agency to address women’s issues, which may include the consolidation of existing gender programs and agencies. The report directs the State Department to consult with Congress before providing any funds to the new women’s entity.

The bill includes $55 million for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and contains a House provision requiring a dollar-for-dollar withholding related to UNFPA’s work in China. Specifically, the bill requires the administration to withhold an amount equal to the funds UNFPA plans to spend in China for 2010. In March 2009, the Obama Administration announced that it was restoring U.S. funding of UNFPA (see Washington Report, March 26, 2009). In each of the previous seven years, the United States withheld congressionally-appropriated funding for the organization based on concerns about its programs in China.  

Additionally, the bill contains language authorizing the Secretary of State to withhold voluntary contributions for UN agencies that are not determined to be adequately implementing reforms to improve transparency and accountability. 

Coburn Amendment Defeated

On November 19, 2009, the Senate rejected an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) to transfer funding for UN regular budget and peacekeeping dues to pay for expanded veterans programs. The amendment to a veteran’s health bill was defeated by a vote of 32 – 66 (to view the vote breakdown, click here).  Among the Senators who spoke on the floor against the amendment were Mark Begich (D-AK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and John Kerry (D-MA). To view a transcript of the debate, click here.