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Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations
The 2008 federal fiscal year runs from October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008.
Status: Unable to agree on and pass individual appropriations bills, and facing veto threats from the president on most measures, Congress decided to combine everything together into a single omnibus appropriation bill. Although funding for international educational initiatives did not come out as robustly as in previous iterations of the bills, the FY 2008 funding levels for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs in the Department of State and Title VI and Fulbright Hays Programs in the Department of Education represent an increase over 2007 levels. The House passed the omnibus package on December 17, 2007, and the Senate the following day. The measure was signed into law on December 26, 2007.
The amount included for exchanges is $36 million above the FY 2007 levels, and $15 million above the president’s request. The bill provides $282.971 million for academic programs, $160.040 million for professional and cultural programs, $3.170 million for program and performance, and $49.260 million for exchanges support. The omnibus package also includes $5.359 billion for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, which is higher than both the $4.747 billion proposed by the House and the $4.729 billion proposed by the Senate. Of that amount, $781.6 million is designated emergency spending.
The bill does not include FY 2008 funding for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation, since the program has not yet been authorized by Congress. Although the bill does not include funding for the Simon Foundation, the committees note they "are supportive of this effort, and will review the new authorities and funding requirements once the program is authorized." Conference report language also states, "The Appropriations Committees support expanding study abroad opportunities for United States students, diversifying the study abroad population, and increasing study in non-traditional countries. Over the past decade study abroad by United States students has increased by 150 percent and funding provided by Congress has also increased significantly; the amount provided in fiscal year 2008 reflects an 8.4 percent increase in a single year. The Appropriations Committees endorse the report requirement contained in Senate Report 110-128 to expand the capacity of study abroad." Senate report language directed the Secretary of State to submit a plan for "expanding U.S. student exchange, in particular the investment needed to expand overseas capacity of high quality educational institutions in developing countries and other non-traditional study abroad regions."
Included in the sections of the bill that fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State are a number of travel system reform provisions. These provisions, many of which were part of the 9/11 bill signed into law earlier this year and will benefit all travelers, including students and scholars, include:
Of the total funds alloted by the Senate for educational and cultural exchanges, $285.039 million is recommended for academic exchange programs, and $162.013 million for professional and cultural exchanges. Of the amount alloted for academic exchanges, the committee recommends: $222.645 million for Fulbright programs, $10.872 million for Educational Advising and Student Services, $14.331 million for English Language Programs, $5.925 million for the Gilman program, and
$2 million for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation**. Of the amount alloted for professional and cultural exchanges, the committee recommended: $77.285 million for the International Visitor Program, $76.950 million for the Citizen Exchange Program, and $7.808 million for special professional and cultural programs. The legislation also provides $3.17 million for program evaluation and performance, and $49.26 million for program support.
In that same funding bill, the Senate also alloted $4,794,973,000 for diplomatic and consular affairs. Of that amount, the committee recommended $40 million above the administration's budget request of $258.998 million for FY 2008 for passport operations, facilities, and systems to help alleviate the passport backlog created by the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Also, recognizing the challenges foreign nationals face in obtaining visas, the committee recommended $5 million for the Consular Services Demonstration Program to expand access to consular services, including through the use of mobile consular services.
** The amount recommended for the Simon Foundation is pending authorization of the legislation and confirmation of the Board of Directors, and is intended to be for the start up costs for the Foundation. In order for any funding to be appropriated to the Foundation, the legislation (S.991, H.R. 1469) still needs to be enacted into law.
With report language stating the importance of educational and cultural exchanges in our nation's public diplomacy efforts, the House recommended $279.963 million in spending for academic programs, and $169.007 million for professional and cultural exchanges. Of the amount alloted for academic exchanges, the committee recommended: $218.757 million for Fulbright programs, $25.272 million for global academic exchanges, and $35.934 million for special academic exchanges. Of the amount alloted for professional and cultural exchanges, the committee recommends: $82.255 for the International Visitor Program, $70.95 million for the citizen exchange program, and $15.802 million for special professional and cultural programs. The legislation also provides $3.17 million for program evaluation and performance, and $49.26 million for program support.
The report language also recognizes and supports the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation, stating that they will look into providing funding for the Foundation once the authorizing legislation is enacted into law.
The committee also urged the Department of State to continue to work together with other federal agencies to strengthen the visa process to make it an effective anti-terrorism tool, while avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers or delays to legitimate travel to the United States. The committee requests a 30-day standard for a personal interview to be scheduled after a non-immigrant visa request has been submitted, and supports the examination into the feasibility of conducting visa interviews by teleconference or similar electronic means.
The omnibus bill provides $108.983 million for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays, providing a $3.232 million increase over FY 2007 levels. Of that amount, Title VI Programs received $95.611, representing a $2.47 million increase, and Fulrbight Hays Programs received $13.372, a $0.762 million increase.
The legislation and its accompanying report language also includes several directives. Of the funding increase for Title VI Programs, one-third should be used to expand the number of Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, a portion should also be used to assist Title VI grantees to enhance databases and develop webportals to improve the dissemination of information produced through these programs. The legislation also stipulates that no funds shall be available for an e-learning clearinghouse and any finds diverted from Title VI programs for this purpose shall be restored. Under the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP), the bill and report language also set aside $2.4 million for five-year local educational agency critical foreign language partnerships with institutions of higher education.
The appropriations bill, HR 3043, passed both the House and the Senate in early November. However, the president vetoed the bill on November 14, citing earmarks and wasteful spending. The House failed to override President Bush’s veto on November 15, 2007. Fifty-one Republicans joined 226 Democrats in voting to pass the bill, but they fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.
Of the amount alloted, the committee recommends: $91.541 million for Title VI programs, $12.610 million for Fulbright Hays programs, and $1.6 million for the Institute for International Public Policy. The bill includes language allowing funds to be used to support visits and study abroad by individuals who plan to utilize their language skills in world areas vital to the United States' national security in the fields of government, international development, and the professions. Bill language also allows up to 1 percent of the funds provided to be used for program evaluation, national outreach, and information dissemination activities.
Of the amount alloted, the committee recommends: $100.341 million for Title VI programs, $13.61 million for Fulbright Hays programs, and $1.7 million for the Institute for International Public Policy.
In report language, citing the 2006 study done by the National Research Council on Title VI programs, the Committee places a high priority on restoring budget cuts to the Title VI programs in the coming years. The committee also urges the Department of Education to establish a coordinating group on international education and foreign language studies within the Department.
Read more on the President's FY 2008 request.
| Dept. of State, Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs |
Fulbright Hays Programs |
|
| Appropriations, FY 2007 | $445.275 | $105.751 |
| Emergency supplemental (Public Law 110-28), FY 2007 |
$20.0 | $105.751 |
| President's Budget Request, FY 2008 | $486.4 | $105.751 |
| Senate appropriation, FY 2008 | $509.482 | $115.651 |
| House appropriation, FY 2008 | $501.4 | $110.7 |
| Omnibus appropriation, FY 2008 (FINAL) | $501.347 | $108.983 |
Status: Unable to agree on and pass individual appropriations bills, and facing veto threats from the president on most measures, Congress decided to combine everything together into a single omnibus appropriation bill. Although funding for international educational initiatives did not come out as robustly as in previous iterations of the bills, the FY 2008 funding levels for Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs in the Department of State and Title VI and Fulbright Hays Programs in the Department of Education represent an increase over 2007 levels. The House passed the omnibus package on December 17, 2007, and the Senate the following day. The measure was signed into law on December 26, 2007.
Department of State: Educational and Cultural Exchanges
Omnibus Appropriation
The Omnibus Appropriation bill includes $501.347 million for the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Total funding for exchanges in the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations section of the omnibus spending package is $505.441 million. Applying an across-the-board cut of 0.81 percent to all programs in the bill, the total funding amount for exchanges in the Department of State will be $501.347 million.The amount included for exchanges is $36 million above the FY 2007 levels, and $15 million above the president’s request. The bill provides $282.971 million for academic programs, $160.040 million for professional and cultural programs, $3.170 million for program and performance, and $49.260 million for exchanges support. The omnibus package also includes $5.359 billion for Diplomatic and Consular Programs, which is higher than both the $4.747 billion proposed by the House and the $4.729 billion proposed by the Senate. Of that amount, $781.6 million is designated emergency spending.
The bill does not include FY 2008 funding for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation, since the program has not yet been authorized by Congress. Although the bill does not include funding for the Simon Foundation, the committees note they "are supportive of this effort, and will review the new authorities and funding requirements once the program is authorized." Conference report language also states, "The Appropriations Committees support expanding study abroad opportunities for United States students, diversifying the study abroad population, and increasing study in non-traditional countries. Over the past decade study abroad by United States students has increased by 150 percent and funding provided by Congress has also increased significantly; the amount provided in fiscal year 2008 reflects an 8.4 percent increase in a single year. The Appropriations Committees endorse the report requirement contained in Senate Report 110-128 to expand the capacity of study abroad." Senate report language directed the Secretary of State to submit a plan for "expanding U.S. student exchange, in particular the investment needed to expand overseas capacity of high quality educational institutions in developing countries and other non-traditional study abroad regions."
Included in the sections of the bill that fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State are a number of travel system reform provisions. These provisions, many of which were part of the 9/11 bill signed into law earlier this year and will benefit all travelers, including students and scholars, include:
- Providing $40 million to fund a "Model Ports" program at America’s top 20 inbound international airports to streamline the visitor entry process and make it more welcoming to international travelers;
- Allowing for the hiring of 200 new officers to reduce processing times at the top 20 international airports;
- Establishing the International Registered Traveler (IRT) Program to expedite the inspection of frequent U.S. and international travelers arriving by air into the United States;
- Providing $26 million to fund the development and implementation of a fully automated electronic travel authorization system to collect basic biographical information to determine, in advance of travel, the eligibility of a foreign visitor to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Construction of the ETA is a prerequisite for expansion of the VWP to additional countries such as South Korea and newly-admitted European Union countries;
- Allocating $475 million to enhance US-VISIT by improving entry and exit tracking of foreign visitors. It also includes funds for deployment of new fingerprint devices and software to reduce false positives and to begin construction of a biometric exit program at U.S. airports required to allow further expansion of the VWP;
- Providing $5 million dollars to the Department of State to develop a capability to deploy mobile teams of consular officials to conduct visa interviews for would-be travelers who do not live near a U.S. consulate; and
- Providing $225 million for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implementation and requiring certification from the Departments of State and Homeland Security if WHTI documentation requirements are imposed on travelers before June 1, 2009.
Senate
On September 6, the Senate passed the FY 2008 State, Foreign Operations bill, providing $509.482 million in funding for the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs by a vote of 81 to 12. This is $64 million more than the amount approved by Congress for FY 2007, and $23 million above the president's FY 2008 request.Of the total funds alloted by the Senate for educational and cultural exchanges, $285.039 million is recommended for academic exchange programs, and $162.013 million for professional and cultural exchanges. Of the amount alloted for academic exchanges, the committee recommends: $222.645 million for Fulbright programs, $10.872 million for Educational Advising and Student Services, $14.331 million for English Language Programs, $5.925 million for the Gilman program, and
$2 million for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation**. Of the amount alloted for professional and cultural exchanges, the committee recommended: $77.285 million for the International Visitor Program, $76.950 million for the Citizen Exchange Program, and $7.808 million for special professional and cultural programs. The legislation also provides $3.17 million for program evaluation and performance, and $49.26 million for program support.
In that same funding bill, the Senate also alloted $4,794,973,000 for diplomatic and consular affairs. Of that amount, the committee recommended $40 million above the administration's budget request of $258.998 million for FY 2008 for passport operations, facilities, and systems to help alleviate the passport backlog created by the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Also, recognizing the challenges foreign nationals face in obtaining visas, the committee recommended $5 million for the Consular Services Demonstration Program to expand access to consular services, including through the use of mobile consular services.
** The amount recommended for the Simon Foundation is pending authorization of the legislation and confirmation of the Board of Directors, and is intended to be for the start up costs for the Foundation. In order for any funding to be appropriated to the Foundation, the legislation (S.991, H.R. 1469) still needs to be enacted into law.
House
On June 12, the House passed its State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, H.R. 2764, by a vote of 241 to 178. The bill includes $501.4 million for the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, a $55.7 million increase above the FY 2007 appropriated levels (not including funding provided in the supplemental appropriations bill) and a $15 million increase above the president's request.With report language stating the importance of educational and cultural exchanges in our nation's public diplomacy efforts, the House recommended $279.963 million in spending for academic programs, and $169.007 million for professional and cultural exchanges. Of the amount alloted for academic exchanges, the committee recommended: $218.757 million for Fulbright programs, $25.272 million for global academic exchanges, and $35.934 million for special academic exchanges. Of the amount alloted for professional and cultural exchanges, the committee recommends: $82.255 for the International Visitor Program, $70.95 million for the citizen exchange program, and $15.802 million for special professional and cultural programs. The legislation also provides $3.17 million for program evaluation and performance, and $49.26 million for program support.
The report language also recognizes and supports the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation, stating that they will look into providing funding for the Foundation once the authorizing legislation is enacted into law.
The committee also urged the Department of State to continue to work together with other federal agencies to strengthen the visa process to make it an effective anti-terrorism tool, while avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers or delays to legitimate travel to the United States. The committee requests a 30-day standard for a personal interview to be scheduled after a non-immigrant visa request has been submitted, and supports the examination into the feasibility of conducting visa interviews by teleconference or similar electronic means.
Department of Education: Title VI and Fulbright Hays
Omnibus Appropriation
The omnibus bill incorporated a 1.747% across-the-board reduction below funding levels for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, excluding the Pell Grant Program. Since most of the international education and foreign language education programs were increased over FY 2007 levels in the earlier bill, most of these programs still came out ahead of 2007 levels despite the cut.The omnibus bill provides $108.983 million for Title VI and Fulbright-Hays, providing a $3.232 million increase over FY 2007 levels. Of that amount, Title VI Programs received $95.611, representing a $2.47 million increase, and Fulrbight Hays Programs received $13.372, a $0.762 million increase.
The legislation and its accompanying report language also includes several directives. Of the funding increase for Title VI Programs, one-third should be used to expand the number of Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, a portion should also be used to assist Title VI grantees to enhance databases and develop webportals to improve the dissemination of information produced through these programs. The legislation also stipulates that no funds shall be available for an e-learning clearinghouse and any finds diverted from Title VI programs for this purpose shall be restored. Under the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP), the bill and report language also set aside $2.4 million for five-year local educational agency critical foreign language partnerships with institutions of higher education.
House and Senate Passed Bill
Representatives from both the House and Senate met on November 1, 2007, to reconcile differences between their respective spending bills for funding select agencies. The conference report takes a middle road between the House and Senate recommendations on funding for international education and foreign language programs, alloting a total of $110.7 million for those programs. Of that amount, $95.39 is alloted for Title VI programs; $13.61 is alloted for Fulbright Hays programs; and $1.7 million is alloted for the Institute for International Public Policy. In addition, the conference committee recommends that $5 million be used for helping to fund degrees for students, both Bachelor's and Master's, in fields of STEM and critical foreign languages. This funding was not included in either in the president's request or in the House or Senate bills.The appropriations bill, HR 3043, passed both the House and the Senate in early November. However, the president vetoed the bill on November 14, citing earmarks and wasteful spending. The House failed to override President Bush’s veto on November 15, 2007. Fifty-one Republicans joined 226 Democrats in voting to pass the bill, but they fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.
Senate
On October 23, the Senate passed the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 by a vote of 75 to 19. The bill includes a total of $105,751,000 for international education and foreign language programs, which is the same as the fiscal year 2007 level. The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 21.Of the amount alloted, the committee recommends: $91.541 million for Title VI programs, $12.610 million for Fulbright Hays programs, and $1.6 million for the Institute for International Public Policy. The bill includes language allowing funds to be used to support visits and study abroad by individuals who plan to utilize their language skills in world areas vital to the United States' national security in the fields of government, international development, and the professions. Bill language also allows up to 1 percent of the funds provided to be used for program evaluation, national outreach, and information dissemination activities.
House
On July 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by a vote of 276 to 140. The bill includes a total of $115.651 for international education and foreign language programs, a $9.9 million increase over FY 2007 funding levels.Of the amount alloted, the committee recommends: $100.341 million for Title VI programs, $13.61 million for Fulbright Hays programs, and $1.7 million for the Institute for International Public Policy.
In report language, citing the 2006 study done by the National Research Council on Title VI programs, the Committee places a high priority on restoring budget cuts to the Title VI programs in the coming years. The committee also urges the Department of Education to establish a coordinating group on international education and foreign language studies within the Department.
President's Budget Request
On February 5, 2007, the president announced his budget request for FY 2008, including a $486.4 million request for the educational and cultural exchange programs of the U.S. Department of State and $105.751 million for the Department of Education’s Title VI and Fulbright Hays programs.Read more on the President's FY 2008 request.
