At a glance
The United States Department of State (DOS) is responsible for the international relations of the United States.
The State Department is made up of 13,000 foreign service employees, 11,000 civil service employees, and 45,000 foreign service local employees.
“The greatest threat to our nation is not North Korea, or Russia, or even ISIS. The greatest threat to our nation is our inability to get our fiscal house in order, and it is absurd that Washington continues to turn a blind eye to the dangerous crisis staring us in the face.” - Bob Corker
A Path Forward
The State Department oversees many agencies and programs that send billions in foreign aid to our allies. While Americans see the importance of our country’s goal to spread American values and wealth, it is important those priorities are vetted and have a clear goal. For example, the department spends billions on educational and cultural exchange programs that have resulted in no significant positive outcomes. The U.S. also sends foreign aid to countries that own billions in U.S. debt. By pausing to evaluate our foreign programs and their outcomes, we not only find better ways to help our allies, but we respect American taxpayers who are footing the bill.
29.45 Billion Annual Budget
Rex W. Tillerson Secretary
Budget Growth 2012 - 2016
Annual budget for the federal government
Percentage of Federal Budget
Oversight Reports
STATE OIG: 2018 Comprehensive Oversight Plan
STATE OIG: Audit of the Conventional Weapons Destruction Program in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon
STATE OIG/SIGAR: The U.S. Civilian Uplift in Afghanistan Has Cost Nearly $2 Billion, and State Should Continue to Strengthen Its Management and Oversight of the Funds Transferred to Other Agencies
STATE OIG: Management Alert (Grants Management Deficiencies)
STATE OIG: Department Financial Systems Are Insufficient to Track and Report on Foreign Assistance Funds
STATE OIG: Compliance Follow-up Review: Department of State is Still Unable to Accurately Track and Report on Foreign Assistance Funds
STATE OIG: Middle East Region Operations: Improvements Needed To Strengthen Vehicle-Fueling Controls and Operations and Maintenance Contract at Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan
STATE OIG: Audit of Bureau of Diplomatic Security Worldwide Protective Services Contract Task Order 3 — Baghdad Embassy Security Force
STATE OIG: Audit of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Administration of the Armored Vehicle Program
GAO: Preliminary Observations on IAEA’s Role in Verifying the Iran Agreement
GAO: Security Assistance: U.S. Government Should Strengthen End-Use Monitoring and Human Rights Vetting for Egypt
STATE OIG: State Department and Other Agencies Should Further Explore Opportunities to Save Administrative Costs Overseas
GAO: Diplomatic Security: State Department Should Better Manage Risks to Residences and Other Soft Targets Overseas
GAO: Overseas Allowances: State Should Assess the Cost-Effectiveness of Its Hardship Pay Policies
STATE OIG: Evaluation of the Department of State’s Security Clearance Process
STATE OIG: Audit of the Department of State Travel Card Program
STATE OIG: Office of the Secretary: Evaluation of Email Records Management and Cybersecurity Requirements
STATE OIG: Management Assistance Report: Foreign Assistance Sustainability Is Not Clearly Defined in the Foreign Affairs Manual
STATE OIG: Compliance Follow-up Review of the Review of the Department of State Disciplinary Process
STATE OIG: Audit of the Financial Results of the Telephone, Wireless, and Data Cost Center
STATE OIG: Management Assistance Report: Annual Purchase Card Program Reviews
Can you believe the US Government spends more money on it’s cable bill than on disaster relief?