Congress Passes 2007 Funding Bill Including Increase for International Educational Exchange Programs

On February 14, 2007 the Senate approved a continuing resolution by a vote of 85-15 that will fund the government through the end of the year. The measure was previously passed in the House on January 31, 2007 by a vote of 286-140. Included in this FY 2007 funding bill is $445.275 million for the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), representing a $19 million increase over 2006 levels, but $29 million below what had been requested by the Bush Administration for the 2007 fiscal year.

Funding for most other federal programs, including Peace Corps, Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs, will remain at 2006 levels. While FY2007 funding for individual appropriation accounts has been set, decisions regarding specific program allocation levels are not likely to emerge for some time.

This continuing resolution, signed into law by the President on February 15, 2007, completes the FY 2007 budget process.

Congress will now turn its attention to the Administration’s FY 2008 budget request, proposed by President Bush on February 5, 2007.

View information on the FY 2008 budget process