(English) U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA): Fiscal Year Appropriations Request

Key Chapter Title List

1. Secretary's Statement
2. Performance Statement and Evidence-Based Action
3. Appropriations Summary Table
4. Department of State and Related Agencies
5. Diplomatic Engagement Summary
6. Foreign Policy Reform and Adjustment
7. Ten-Year History of Diplomatic Engagement Appropriations for the Department of State
8. Public Diplomacy Resources
9. Summary of Department of State Fees
10. Cybersecurity Budget Crosswalk
11. Diplomatic Programs
12. Consular and Border Security Programs
13. Information Technology Central Fund
14. Working Capital Fund
15. Embassy Security, Construction, and Maintenance
16. Office of Inspector General
17. Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs
18. Contributions to International Organizations
19. Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities

Document Introduction

This document is the Congressional Budget Justification for Fiscal Year 2026 submitted by the U.S. Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs to Congress. The report systematically outlines the foreign policy priorities, budget requests, agency reorganization plans, and performance management strategy of the Department of State and its related agencies under the "America First" policy framework.

The report begins with a signature from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, articulating the core of this administration's foreign policy commitment to reducing the federal deficit and improving the return on investment for American taxpayers. The Department of State's base budget request for FY 2026 is $28.5 billion (excluding rescissions), aiming to build a more effective and efficient Department by streamlining programs and operations. The report emphasizes the "aggressive reallocation" of resources to objectives that best serve U.S. interests, while achieving overall cost savings.

The main body of the report details budget data for various appropriation accounts, providing comparisons from FY 2024 estimates to the FY 2026 request. The budget request shows significant structural adjustments: the total request for Diplomatic Engagement and related accounts decreases from an estimated $16.8 billion in FY 2025 to $11.3 billion; the total request for Foreign Operations decreases from $42.4 billion to $18.1 billion. Specific changes include: significant reductions or eliminations of contributions to multiple international organizations (such as the United Nations, World Health Organization) and peacekeeping activities; the integration and reshaping of the foreign assistance system, including the creation of a new "America First Opportunity Fund" (A1OF) to respond to emergent opportunities and challenges, and the integration of some U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs into the Department of State; concurrently, multiple bilateral economic assistance, multilateral assistance, and security assistance programs have been reduced or restructured.

A dedicated chapter discusses the Department of State's ongoing "most comprehensive reorganization in decades," aimed at addressing agency bloat, functional overlap, and inefficiency, with the goal of establishing a more agile, focused Department that consistently puts American interests first. While the reorganization plan is not fully reflected in this budget request, it is evident in initial actions such as the elimination of the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO).

Furthermore, the report emphasizes evidence-based decision-making and performance management, detailing the strategic planning process, performance reporting mechanisms, and the application of data and artificial intelligence (AI) tools (such as StateChat, Northstar) in enhancing diplomatic efficiency. The report also outlines the planned takeover of the ForeignAssistance.gov platform and data quality improvement plans during the integration of USAID functions.

In summary, this budget justification report is a key policy document that comprehensively reflects the shift in U.S. foreign policy towards "America First," pursuing strategic focus and fiscal austerity. It is not merely a listing of financial requirements but a systematic reassessment and planning of the role, priorities, and operational methods of U.S. diplomatic institutions. It holds significant reference value for understanding the direction of U.S. foreign and foreign assistance policy in the coming years.