Reference Guide to the President's FY 2009 Budget Request for the Civilian Stabilization Initiative

Civilian Stabilization Initiative (CSI) (State Operations):

The request for CSI funding provides $248.6 million to build the full complement of USG interagency civilian expertise necessary to respond rapidly to a stabilization crisis; partner effectively with the US military, international actors, and host nationals; and promote effective rule of law, economic stabilization and transitional governance.

The Secretary of State, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development and the Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Treasury, and Homeland Security requests funding for 250 full time employees ($75.2 million) for an interagency Active Response Corps of trained and equipped stabilization first responders who can deploy in 48 hours to countries in crisis. The budget also funds training for 2000 'standby' responders drawn from within these agencies.

The request provides $86.8 million to build and train the U.S. Civilian Reserve Corps to a strength of 2000 members. These civilian reservists will be drawn from the private sector and state and local governments across the United States, with expertise in the range of processes necessary in a transition from crisis including: policing and rule of law, infrastructure development, economic stabilization, state and local governance, agriculture, and provision of basic services.

CSI includes $63.6 million in start-up funding for the two month ramp up of an initial deployment and civilian force protection to lay the groundwork for successful transition in countries in crisis. The early period after a crisis is often when the international community can have the greatest impact, but insufficient U.S. civilian capacity has impaired our ability to rely on USG civilian agencies for this task. Through CSI, the reconstruction and stabilization (R&S) first responders can coordinate in the field with U.S. or coalition military forces, international organizations and NGOs, and local governments and citizens. They can also initiate the R&S assessment, planning, program design, negotiations, and training necessary to assist countries in restoring law and order, saving lives, stabilizing the economy, and providing the essential services that allow societies to avert or transition from conflict. The Department has also requested authorities to allow the Secretary to transfer funds to support CSI activities beyond the initial deployment.

The request provides $23 million in operating expenses for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) to ensure it can fully implement the President's directive on management of stabilization and reconstruction operations. This includes building and supporting the civilian capacity funded by the CSI request. S/CRS provides Washington leadership to whole-of-government strategic planning, analysis, policy direction and coordination of USG reconstruction and stabilization activities. It also provides operations support services to the USG in connection with the Civilian Stabilization Initiative, building on State's pilot Active and Standby Response Corps. In addition, S/CRS builds on lessons learned in past operations and develops USG policy for integrated, effective, operations. This includes implementation of best practices, standardized civil-military planning and exercises, and development of civilian personnel capacity.

Department of Defense Transfer Authority:

Section 1207 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 authorized the Secretary of Defense to provide to the Department of State up to $100 million in articles, services, and funds per year in FY 2006 and FY 2007 to support R&S operations (P.L. 109-163) This authority was renewed for FY 2008, subject to the same limitations, in section 1210 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (P.L. 110-181).

State has used $110 million in funds transferred under Section 1207 to support innovative projects in Lebanon, Haiti, Yemen, Colombia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South-East Asia and the Trans-Sahara, that integrate security, development and governance to target critical areas of assistance where immediate activities can tip the balance towards peace.

The FY 2009 President's budget for the Department of Defense includes requested funding of $200 million to continue support to these operations. This funding complements deployment funding requested by State.

EXCERPT REFERENCES:

President's FY2009 Budget Request, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, P.L. 110-447, Title XVI--Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management

Keeping America Safe

International Engagement

Diplomatic and development efforts support our national security goals by promoting peace, strengthening democratic institutions, and increasing economic opportunity. … The Budget also invests needed resources to increase our diplomatic and development capabilities, including civilian experts who can deploy quickly to respond to crises and help plan and execute civilian stabilization and reconstruction efforts in post-conflict countries.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/state.html

Strengthens U.S. capacity for global engagement. Strengthens operations worldwide to meet new high-priority foreign policy requirements, including a repositioned and strengthened American presence in critical emerging areas. To improve U.S. civilian response capabilities, the Budget provides for a 250-member Active Response Corps, a 2,000-member Standby Corps across civilian Federal agencies, and a 2,000-person Civilian Reserve Corps made up of experts from outside the Federal Government who can quickly deploy in response to crises.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/appendix/sta.pdf

Civilian Stabilization Initiative (Including Transfer of Funds)

For necessary expenses to establish, support, maintain, mobilize, and deploy a civilian response corps, and for related reconstruction and stabilization assistance to prevent or respond to conflict or civil strife in foreign countries or regions, or to enable transition from such strife, $248,631,000, to remain available until expended:

Provided, That such funds may be made available to provide administrative expenses for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization:

Provided further, That the Secretary of State may transfer and merge funds made available under any other heading in Titles I, III and IV of this Act with funds made available under this heading to maintain and deploy a civilian response corps: Provided further, That the Secretary may appoint, compensate and remove Civilian Reserve Corps personnel without regard to Civil Service or classification laws.

The appropriation provides authorization and appropriations for training, supporting, equipping, and deploying an interagency Civilian Response Corps as well as for related reconstruction and stabilization assistance. The Civilian Response Corps supports U.S. Government reconstruction and stabilization assistance operations abroad and is comprised of Active, Standby, and Civilian Reserve personnel, to include mission-ready experts in fields such as policing and rule of law, transitional governance, and economic stabilization and development. This appropriation also provides funding for personnel and other operating expenses of the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.

Civilian Stabilization Initiative Sec. 641

In this fiscal year or in any fiscal year hereafter, funds appropriated or made available under this or any other Act for reconstruction and stabilization assistance, including funds that are reprogrammed or transferred to be made available for such purposes, may be made available for such purposes, notwithstanding any other provision of law: Provided, That the administrative authorities of the Foreign Assistance Act may be utilized for assistance furnished with such funds: Provided further, That the President may furnish additional assistance by executing the authorities provided in sections 552(c) and 610 of the Foreign Assistance Act, notwithstanding the percentage and dollar limitations in such sections: Provided further, That funds allocated or reprogrammed for purposes of this section shall remain available until expended.

Department of State's FY2009 Budget Request, http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/100033.pdf p6 Budget in Brief:

Coordinate Civilian Stabilization in Post-conflict States: The request provides $249 million in a new appropriation to support USG civilian efforts to help stabilize and reconstruct post-conflict states. The requested funding will help support, train, equip, and deploy an interagency Civilian Response Corps (CRC). The CRC is comprised of Active, Standby, and Civilian Reserve personnel and includes mission-ready experts in fields such as policing and the rule of law, transitional governance, and economic stabilization and development. The request will also provide related stabilization and reconstruction assistance and fund the personnel and operating expenses of the Office of the Coordinator.

Reports to Congress

Report on Improving Interagency Support for United States 21st Century National Security Missions and Interagency Operations in Support of Stability, Security, Transistion, and Reconstruction Operations: June 2007

Final Report to Congress Reconstruction and Stabilization: Civilian Response: December 2005

Functions of the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization: January 2005

For Additional Information, Please Contact: Terry Heide at Heidet@state.gov or Melanie Anderton at AndertonMD@state.gov