1. When we talk about funding for the Department of State and various international programs, we are talking about the federal budget process.  Federal agencies are funded through Congressional action.  In a simplified overview, the House and Senate Budget Committees establish budget levels, the Authorizing Committees assign funds to specific agencies and programs under their jurisdiction, and the Appropriations Committees secure and provide the funds for these purposes.  How well is this system working today?  What are the major issues?  How can they be resolved? 

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2.  The Disaster Response and Contingency Planning guide is a basic foundation for responding to a disaster or crisis by organizational entities ranging from businesses, schools, and government levels from local to regional to national.  One of the functional annexes typically included in such plans is one for pets and animals.  The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PL 109-308), informally known as the PETS Act, provides that certain state-designated shelters are required by statute to provide co-located shelter facilities for pets.  Is this a best use of scarce resources?  What should the government’s responsibility be for pets?  350 words with references on one page