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Summary

The 111th Congress will face a number of issues regarding the development of civilian capabilities to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities. In September 2008, Congress passed the Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act, 2008, as Title XVI of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (S. 3001, P.L. 110-417, signed into law October 14, 2008). This legislation codified the existence and functions of the State Department Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) and authorized new operational capabilities within the State Department, a Civilian Response Corps of government employees with an active and a standby component, and a Civilian Reserve Corps. S/CRS was established in 2004 to address longstanding concerns, both within Congress and the broader foreign policy community, over the perceived lack of the appropriate capabilities and processes to deal with transitions from conflict to stability. These capabilities and procedures include adequate planning mechanisms for stabilization and reconstruction operations, efficient interagency coordination structures and procedures in carrying out such tasks, and appropriate civilian personnel for many of the non-military tasks required. Effectively distributing resources among the various executive branch actors, maintaining clear lines of authority and jurisdiction, and balancing short- and long-term objectives are major challenges for designing, planning, and conducting post-conflict operations, as is fielding the appropriate civilian personnel. Since July 2004, S/CRS has worked to establish the basic concepts, mechanisms, and capabilities necessary to carry out such operations. Working with a staff that has slowly grown from a few dozen to 112 individuals from the State Department, other executive branch agencies, and on contract as of January 30, 2009, S/CRS has taken steps to monitor and plan for potential conflicts, to develop a rapid-response crisis management surge capability, to improve interagency and international coordination, to develop interagency training exercises, and to help State Department regional bureaus develop concepts and proposals for preventive action. In June 2008, Congress specifically provided $65 million for S/CRS and USAID S&R activities, including the establishment and implementation of civilian response capabilities, in the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-252). Congress provided another $75 million in FY2009 appropriations in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 111-8). On March 7, 2009, the Obama Administration requested $323.3 million in FY2010 funds to continue developing the Civilian Response Corps (CRC) active and standby components, formally launched in July 2008, and to establish a 2,000-member civilian reserve component. In addition, the Administration requested a $40 million Stabilization Bridge Fund under the Economic Support Fund (ESF) to support the activities of deployed CRC members responding to urgent needs until other funds can be reprogrammed, transferred, appropriated, or otherwise made available. Among the issues that Congress faces in developing civilian capabilities are the means to support, maintain, and deploy the civilian response and reserve corps. In action on the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410), the House authorized the Administrations CSI FY2010 $323.3 million funding request, as well as such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011. In floor action, the House incorporated an amendment to expand the categories of persons who would be permitted to participate in the CRC. The House Appropriations Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee both reported State Department and Foreign Operations Appropriations bills (H.R. 3081 and S. 1434) that cut the Obama Administration request to (to $155 million and $150 million respectively). Both bills completely eliminated funding for the Civilian Response Corps reserve component.

Related Legislation:
• S.3001
• S.2010
• H.R.2410
• H.R.3081
• S.1434

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