FY21 Appropriations and Budget

Each year, Congress negotiates how to spend U.S. taxpayer dollars through a process called appropriations. Of the $4 trillion U.S. federal budget, about 1% is appropriated, or allocated for spending by Congress, to foreign assistance. Half of that 1% is directed toward poverty-reducing humanitarian and development aid. On February 10, 2020, the administration released their Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) budget request, calling for a 22% cut to foreign assistance, including deep and disproportionate decreases to poverty-reducing humanitarian and development assistance. The House and Senate ultimately decide on funding levels for our budget. As they continue to develop and negotiate their FY21 proposals, it is important for interested stakeholders to share their priorities.

This document is designed to provide background information to help you communicate with the offices of your members of Congress about the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations process and its connections to the issues of hunger and forced migration.

It also includes the annual chart of budget accounts for congressional offices that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and CRS advocate for to address global poverty.

Download the PDF below to learn more about this piece of legislation.