National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

The Senate and House Appropriations Committees completed their mark-ups of the Fiscal Year 2009 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. However, as with most appropriations bills, it is not likely that the bill will be considered by the full House or Senate. Legislation to impose sanctions on Iran is bubbling, but again, there may not be sufficient time before adjournment to complete any legislation. While the Defense Authorization bill remains in limbo, House and Senate leadership have said that Congress will pass an annual Defense Appropriations bill -- most likely in September.

KEY 2008 NATIONAL SECURITY BILLS

FISCAL YEAR 2009 STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

On July 16, the House approved the Fiscal Year 2009 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill. On July 17, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill. Both bills provide $36.6 billion in funding and represent the largest component of the Fiscal Year 2009 International Affairs Budget. When combined with the proposed $1.3 billion in funding for the International Food Aid Programs (Agriculture Appropriations) and $300 million for the Global AIDS Fund (HHS-Labor Appropriations), total spending for the FY09 International Affairs Budget will be $38.2 billion. This spending level represents a $1.6 billion reduction from the Administration's request and a $4 billion increase or 11% increase over FY08 base spending levels.

SANCTIONS ON IRAN/RUSSIA "123" NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

On July 17, the Senate Banking Committee approved still another Iran sanctions bill by a vote 0f 19 - 2. The measure, introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chair Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Ranking member Richard Shelby (R-AL), would impose sanctions on foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies that do business with Tehran. There is no section blocking the U.S.-Russian nuclear agreement.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have said that the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations bill will be one of two appropriations measures passed by Congress this year, most likely in September. The Senate Appropriations Committee plans a mark-up of the bill on July 24.