The House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman has introduced the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2010-11, calling for 1500 new Foreign Service Officer positions. It also calls for doubling the number of Peace Corps Volunteers (currently 8000). This press release from the American Academy of Diplomacy expresses support and includes a link to the text of the bill. – Ed.

Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2010-11 Introduced
American Academy of Diplomacy Press Release
May 15, 2009  
        
Washington, D.C.: The American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD) applauds the efforts of Congressman Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in calling for 1500 additional Foreign Service Officers over the next two years to enable the U.S. State Department to respond to modern foreign policy challenges. The Congressman introduced the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) on Thursday, which also contains provisions on recruitment and training of officers, support for public diplomacy, and improvement of Consular services.
 
"This is a significant step towards advancing America's national security interests," said Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann (ret.), president of the American Academy of Diplomacy.
 
The Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 supports efforts to rebuild the capacity of the Department of State to fulfill its core diplomatic mission in fulfilling U.S. national security goals.  It also authorizes the resources necessary for the United States to meet its financial commitments to the United Nations and other international organizations that support a wide range of U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic goals.
 
"Securing adequate staffing and resources for the U.S. State Department is paramount to fixing the human capital crisis that has hobbled U.S. diplomacy worldwide, crippled its response to crises, and inappropriately thrown additional foreign policy burdens on the military," said Ambassador Thomas Boyatt, chairman of AAD's Foreign Affairs Budget Project.
 
According to a recent AAD report, "A Foreign Affairs Budget for the Future," the State Department, USAID, and related organizations currently lack the tools to meet today's complex global challenges. The report calls for urgent investments in diplomacy and development assistance to rebuild America's foreign affairs capability. 
 
Specifically, the report says President Obama needs 4,735 more diplomats and development professionals – a growth of 46%  – over the next five years, in order to implement a successful foreign policy. 
 
Appropriately funding, staffing, and training America's diplomatic corps is in the best interests of our country's national security, and is an important reflection of America's strong commitment to diplomacy.