LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Monthly Treasury Statement, in fiscal 2008, the government spent a total of $11.427 billion in international assistance programs. According to the statement, in fiscal 2011, it spent $20.599 billion -- an increase of $9.172 billion, or 80 percent from 2008.

International assistance spending had been trending down for three years, prior to President Obama taking office. In fiscal 2005, it was $14.787 billion. In fiscal 2006, it dropped to $13.914 billion. In fiscal 2007, it dropped again to $12.764 billion and in fiscal 2008, it dropped yet again to $11.427 billion.

International assistance spending has increased each year since 2008. In fiscal 2009, it climbed to $14.827 billion. In 2010, it jumped to $20.038 billion and in fiscal 2011, it climbed again to $20.599 billion.

After the first eleven months of fiscal 2012, by the end of August, the federal government had already spent $20.058 on foreign aid in that fiscal year. That was well ahead of the $18.439 billion the federal government had spent on foreign aid through August of last year. The Treasury has not yet published the final amount that was spent on foreign aid in fiscal 2012, which ended on Sunday.

As foreign aid spending has climbed over the past four years, spending on border security reached its pinnacle in fiscal 2009 and has since been on a downward trend.

In fiscal 2008, the federal government spent $9.984 billion on customs and border protection, according to the Monthly Treasury Statement. In fiscal 2009, that increased to $12.122 billion. But, in fiscal 2010, that dropped to $11.376 billion. In fiscal 2011, it increased slightly to $11.698 billion - which is still less than the $12.122 billion spent on customs and border protection in fiscal 2009.

Through the month of August of fiscal 2012, spending on customs and border protection was $11.259 billion, ahead of the $10.656 billion on customs and border protection spent through August of fiscal 2011.

The $20.599 billion spent on foreign aid last year was 76 percent more than the $11.698 billion spent on customs and border protection.

Below in billions of dollars is the annual spending on international assistance and customs and border protection over the past nine fiscal years.

FY 2012 (first 11 months).............$20.058          $11.259
FY 2011.....................................$20.599          $11.698
FY 2010.....................................$20.038          $11.376
FY 2009 ....................................$14.827          $12.122
FY 2008 ....................................$11.427          $9.984
FY 2007 ....................................$12.764          $7.948
FY 2006 ....................................$13.914          $7.069
FY 2005 ....................................$14.787          $6.278
FY 2004 ....................................$13.788          $6.660

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.