MFAN Statement: Development Must Play a Larger Role in QDDR Legislation

By: Staff Person
September 19, 2012

While S. 3341 rightly seeks to codify a review of U.S. diplomacy and development programs every four years, the lack of emphasis on a strong and independent development voice implies backsliding in our prioritization of U.S. development efforts. The QDDR’s important assertion that “diplomacy and development must be mutually reinforcing” is not well served by the legislation in its current form.

MFAN Statement: Lugar-Rubio Bill Signals Commitment to More Transparent, Accountable Foreign Assistance

By: Staff Person
September 19, 2012

In a period of intense political polarization, MFAN is pleased that members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came together to pass The Foreign Assistance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2012 (S. 3310) earlier today. This bipartisan legislation demonstrates broad agreement that the U.S. has an important role to play overseas and that we can drive better development outcomes with these critical reforms.

MFAN Statement: Chabot-Isakson Bill Highlights Critical Role of Private Sector in Effective Development

By: Staff Person
August 2, 2012

MFAN applauds Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) for introducing H.R. 6178, which calls for the U.S. government to establish a more effective working relationship with private sector companies that are making critical investments in alleviating poverty, fighting disease and bolstering economic growth in developing countries. The bill already has bipartisan cosponsors in the House and companion Senate legislation (S.3495), introduced by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), has gained support from members of both parties as well.

MFAN Statement: Senate Budget Bill Strong on Foreign Assistance and Reform

By: Staff Person
May 30, 2012

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a strong FY13 State and Foreign Operations budget to support U.S. leadership in the fight against global poverty and disease. Acknowledging the challenging fiscal climate, we urge Congress to adopt the Senate bill and advance it to President Obama to sign into law.

MFAN Statement: Agencies Report Progress on Obama Development Policy

By: Staff Person
April 5, 2012

Six months ago, MFAN challenged the U.S. government agencies involved in development to provide public information about how they were implementing President Obama’s Global Development Policy (PPD), which in September 2010 called for accelerating foreign assistance reform. The answers we received – which have been posted on MFAN’s new “Policy to Action” webpage – suggest that key agencies have made concrete changes in line with the PPD’s focus on economic growth, coordination, country ownership and accountability.

MFAN Statement: President Obama’s FY13 Budget Reaffirms Importance of Foreign Assistance Reform

By: Staff Person
February 14, 2012

While no budget is perfect, we believe the President’s FY13 international affairs request is balanced and constructive. Most importantly, it seems to us to be a reaffirmation of the Administration’s focus on reforming U.S. foreign assistance. We remain committed to working with both the Administration and Congress to see that these reforms have lasting impact.

MFAN Statement: Agency Consolidation Must Be Done Carefully

By: Staff Person
January 17, 2012

The Obama Administration’s efforts to consolidate U.S. Government trade agencies into a more streamlined, efficient single entity are commendable. The goal of consolidation should be to increase coherence, effectiveness and accountability, and we have long argued that similar activities could strengthen the U.S. development system.

MFAN Statement: Congress Avoids Catastrophic Aid Cuts, Advances Reform in FY12 Budget

By: Staff Person
December 19, 2011

We are pleased that Congress avoided making catastrophic cuts to foreign assistance in the Fiscal Year 2012 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. We appreciate the efforts of the policymakers who fought to protect these critical programs, and we commend them for using the bill to advance some key foreign assistance reform priorities that will lead to better results for U.S. taxpayers and people in developing countries.