When nearly 50 retired four- and three-star generals and flag officers sign a letter to Members of Congress, you probably wouldn’t assume that they’re asking for more money for the Peace Corps and USAID. But that’s exactly what happened this morning when 48 members of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) called the International Affairs Budget “a fundamental pillar of U.S. national security and foreign policy” and urged support for the President’s $58.5 billion budget request.

In their years of service to our country, these seasoned military leaders have seen first-hand just how important development and diplomacy are—along with a strong defense—to keeping our nation safe and prosperous. “The United States must combine its strong military with robust, effective civilian tools of international development and diplomacy to secure its national interests in an era when many of the challenges of the 21st century recognize no borders,” the leaders declare.

The President’s International Affairs Budget for fiscal year 2011 represents only 1.4% of the entire federal budget and less than 7% of national security funding—something these military leaders know a lot about. So when they urge Members of Congress “to support no less than the Administration’s request of $58.5 billion for the International Affairs Budget,” they mean business.

This letter reflects a growing consensus—across the political and ideological spectrum—that investments must be boosted in development and diplomacy for security, economic and humanitarian reasons. Broad bipartisan support for these programs exists on Capitol Hill, as shown in the December 2009 letter sent to the President by 247 members of Congress urging a strong International Affairs Budget request. It also comes on the heels of remarks last week by Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen where he called for increased resources for civilian capabilities and worried that “we aren’t moving fast enough in this regard.”

Now the question is whether Congress will heed these calls.

-Tod Preston, Government Relations Director, and John Glenn, Policy Director, USGLC