Whereas there has long been a strong bipartisan consensus that diplomacy, development, and defense are key pillars of an effective national security strategy; Whereas former Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified before Congress that If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition … . ; Whereas President Barack Obama’s first National Security Strategy affirmed that Our Armed Forces will always be a cornerstone of our security, but they must be complemented. Our security also depends upon diplomats who can act in every corner of the world … . ; Whereas President George W. Bush, in his first National Security Strategy, recognized the interdependent relationship between development, diplomacy, and defense as critical to advancing United States national security interests; Whereas the Department of State and its employees are extremely effective in resolving international disputes through diplomacy, thus precluding the need for the use of Armed Forces and saving American lives and taxpayer dollars; Whereas the United States Agency for International Development and its employees lead efforts that help countries and communities progress from crisis and poverty to stability and opportunity, creating a stronger, safer world that is ultimately less dependent on aid; Whereas in an April 21, 2010, letter to Congress, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote that The work performed by diplomatic and development professionals helps build the foundation for more stable, democratic and prosperous societies. These are places where the potential for conflict can be minimized, if not completely avoided, by State and USAID programs—thereby lowering the likely need for deployment of U.S. military assets. ; Whereas for between just one and one-and-a-half percent of the total Federal budget, the United States International Affairs Budget supports all United States diplomacy and development objectives, which advance United States national security interests at home and abroad