Religion has played an increasing role in U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy over the last 15 years, but its status at the State Department may be threatened by proposed budget cuts and vacancies within the Office of Religion and Global Affairs.
President Donald Trump's budget proposal, released March 16, would decrease the State Department's budget by 28 percent through a variety of policy and personnel changes, including a reduction of payments to the United Nations and increased resource-sharing in peacekeeping and other diplomatic efforts.
This budget "recognizes the need … to pursue greater efficiencies through reorganization and consolidation in order to enable effective diplomacy and development," the proposal reads.
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