
Answer:
It would not help to compare the U.S. federal budget this year to previous years.
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Proposed cut in USAID for the upcoming fiscal year of 2019 = 33%
USAID spending in 2019 = $16.8 billion
This would have been $16.8 billion/67% = $25.07 without the proposed cut.
Ratio of actual 2019 USAID spending to the 2019 budget = $16.8 billion/$4.4 trillion = 0.038 or 4%
b) Comparing the U.S. federal budget this year to previous years' is not relevant to the issue of foreign aid spending. Â Instead, the comparison should concentrate on issues connected to foreign aid.