CCEFA Profile: Co-Chairs Ander Crenshaw and Adam Smith

By: Staff Person
June 10, 2011

To kick off our Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance (CCEFA) profiles, we revisit the founding Co-Chairs—Reps. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Adam Smith (D-WA). Together, they led the Caucus’ launch event on the Hill last month that also included a panel of leading voices in development policy and practice. See below for more about the Co-Chairs and stay tuned next week as we begin to profile recent Members who have joined CCEFA.

Update: Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance

By: Staff Person
June 9, 2011

A few weeks ago, Reps. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Adam Smith (D-WA) launched the Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance (CCEFA) with a packed event on Capitol Hill. In the days since, the Caucus has put out an overview document laying out its purpose and topics for the roundtable and briefing event series. In the overview, the Caucus outlines five areas of focus, including: Strategic Importance of Effective Foreign Assistance; Importance of Foreign Assistance Reform; What Currently Works in Development; Aid Model for the 21st Century; and Best and Worst Practices in Foreign Aid.

Tweet Stream: Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance Launch

By: Staff Person
May 16, 2011

Last Thursday, Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL-04) and Adam Smith (D-WA-09) launched the Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance at an event that featured remarks from USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah and a panel of leading development community voices. See MFAN’s live tweet stream (@modernizeaid) of the event below in reverse chronological order: Thanks to John Ariale (Rep. … Continue reading Tweet Stream: Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance Launch

Effective Foreign Assistance Caucus Launch Tomorrow

By: Staff Person
May 11, 2011

Last week, Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL-04) and Adam Smith (D-WA-09) circulated a Dear Colleague letter announcing the launch of the newly-formed Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance, of which they are co-chairs. As their letter states, “In our increasingly interconnected world, the delivery of foreign assistance must be effective in order to successfully achieve our critical … Continue reading Effective Foreign Assistance Caucus Launch Tomorrow

Reps. Crenshaw and Smith Announce Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance

By: Staff Person
May 5, 2011

Today, Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL-04) and Adam Smith (D-WA-09) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter on Capitol Hill about next week’s launch of the Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance. Crenshaw and Smith hope to bring together a group of Members who will be open to a serious conversation about the way the U.S. delivers foreign assistance and how it can be made more effective.

Two Congressman and Global Washington Founder Argue Foreign Aid is a Critical Investment

By: Staff Person
April 19, 2011

“Foreign aid is far from wasteful spending: Dollars spent abroad help maintain America’s economic and political leadership, as well as support our vital national-security interests. These programs have amplified benefits for global stability through contributions to poverty alleviation, health and disease prevention, and infrastructure-building worldwide.”

Chamber of Commerce Urges Support for International Affairs Budget

By: Staff Person
March 30, 2011

“U.S. businesses understand that diplomacy and development assistance play vital roles in building economic prosperity, protecting our national security, and promoting America’s humanitarian values. The International Affairs Budget is critical to U.S. economic engagement with the world, especially at a time when there is a wide recognition of the need to boost U.S. exports to create American jobs.”

Ros-Lehtinen Calls for Severe Cuts to State, USAID

By: Staff Person
March 24, 2011

“In evaluating the FY2012 budget, the Majority also identified an endemic problem: misplaced priorities. The Administration is proposing dramatic increases in global health and climate change programs while cutting key programs, such as the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism partnership and the Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism – at a time when al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa set their sights on American targets, and American citizens are being captured and killed by Somali pirates.”

USAID, MCC Budget Hearing Seeped in Partisan Bickering

By: Staff Person
March 21, 2011

Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) remained above the fray, kicking off the hearing with some promising comments about the need to emphasize partnerships with the private sector and be more accountable with our aid dollars—with the ultimate goal of promoting economic growth. Ranking Member Howard Berman (D-CA) hit on some important reform principles both USAID and MCC have implemented into programs and policies whether those principles are about emphasizing science and technology as part of USAID Forward or embracing transparency and accountability with MCC compacts. Berman said the committee should be focused on ensuring that every tax dollar is put to best possible use but that doesn’t mean we should cut foreign assistance funding.