A Message to Freshman Members of Congress: Invest in nation’s smart power

By: Staff Person
February 17, 2011

Representatives Gerald Connolly (D-VA) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) authored an op-ed which appeared in today’s Politico about the importance of investing in smart power regardless of one’s political affiliation. The bipartisan piece was geared toward freshman members of Congress – providing a word of advice on the importance of the international affairs budget and it’s impact on national security.

House Appropriator Warns Against Cuts in Foreign Assistance

By: Staff Person
February 16, 2011

In today’s The Hill, Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a longtime member of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense and State and Foreign Operations, argues that reducing U.S. foreign assistance will make America less safe.

Is Obama’s Budget Good on Reform Efforts?

By: Staff Person
February 16, 2011

But of course the question isn’t just about how much we’re spending. The most important question is about how and where we’re investing that money. And here—on the test of brains—Obama’s budget holds much more promise.

Shah’s Speech at NIH: Delivering Dramatic, Sustainable Global Health Gains

By: Staff Person
February 15, 2011

Before US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah uttered the first word of his National Institutes of Health (NIH) Barmes Lecture today, NIH Director Francis Collins called attention to the symbolism of the moment: He said it marked the first time that a sitting USAID leader had spoken at NIH. But Shah had more than symbolism in mind.

MFAN Partners React to FY’11 and FY’12 Budgets

By: Staff Person
February 15, 2011

Below are excerpts from MFAN Partners’ statements in reaction to President Obama’s FY2012 budget request released yesterday and the ongoing debates over the Continuing Resolution for FY 2011 in the House. You can read MFAN’s statement on the budget here. To learn more about the budget debates, click on the following links: U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Budget Center; InterAction; and ONE’s blog.

Nides Briefing on FY’12 State and USAID Budget

By: Staff Person
February 14, 2011

In case you missed it, watch the clip below for Deputy Secretary Thomas Nides’ briefing on the FY’12 budget request for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

MFAN Members Set the Scene for Budget Day

By: Staff Person
February 14, 2011

On Saturday, Worthington argued that any attempts to cut foreign assistance would be “penny-wise and pound foolish” in an op-ed for the National Review. Worthington described foreign assistance as an investment, writing, “Foreign assistance is a down payment for U.S. national security in that it helps to create a more stable and secure world. Investing in societies now reaps rewards for years to come and helps avert future military conflicts, which cost much more in blood and national treasure. Development is a key component of foreign policy strategy and must not be an afterthought.” He closed his piece by noting the power of American generosity and the need to resist being “stingy” in a complex world.

Another foreign assistance casualty of the 112th Congress?

By: Staff Person
February 14, 2011

Congress allowed a longstanding trade access program to lapse in December, 2010. That program, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), allowed over 100 poor developing countries around the world to export their goods to the United States. The program has been in place since 1974, and has succeeded in enabling low-income countries to expand their economies and create jobs for their citizens, thereby becoming less aid-dependent. The program is consistent with a long-term vision of sustainable economic development.

MFAN Partner ONE Speaks Out on Aid Reform and the Budget

By: Staff Person
February 11, 2011

“This month marks the beginning of what is sure to be a difficult and contentious year-long, and perhaps years-long, debate over U.S. spending. Foreign aid should and will be part of that discussion and cuts are certain, whether they come from the Administration or Congress. But my hope is that they will be “smart” cuts that will not minimize the goal of advancing American interests, scale back aid programs that have proven to be effective, or stifle promising new initiatives that will bring greater efficiency, accountability, and impact to that less-than-1% of the budget that is foreign aid.”

USAID IMPACT Blog: Forming a Strong Partnership with Brazil

By: Staff Person
February 11, 2011

For the United States, the more donors with whom we can collaborate to address the some of the world’s most intractable problems, the more we advance our national interests and provide paths out of poverty. In Brazil, we have a partner who shares our commitment to advancing global development; and who has come up with effective and innovative approaches to tackling some of the very same challenges facing developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa.