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.

New CAP-CGD Report on Reorienting the International Affairs Budget

By: Staff Person
May 24, 2012

To create the report, Veillette and Norris put together a working group of 15 bipartisan individuals who provided input on ways to frame and approach the topic. The goal was to provide a framework to accommodate cuts to the International Affairs budget—frequently referred to as the 150 account—while maintaining U.S. global leadership in the field.

Secretary Clinton Defends FY’13 Budget Request to Congress

By: Staff Person
March 1, 2012

This week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made two appearances on Capitol Hill, testifying before four committees, on the administration’s FY 2013 budget request for the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Clinton appeared before the Senate State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House State/Foreign Operations … Continue reading Secretary Clinton Defends FY’13 Budget Request to Congress

The end of poverty: Is America in it to win it?

By: Staff Person
February 27, 2012

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Secretary makes the ritual annual trip to Capitol Hill, to testify before keyCongressional Committees about next year’s foreign affairs budget request. The Secretary has long been a champion of robust, effective global development programs. But with the economy still weak, and the deficit still big, the Secretary is going to need to make her strongest possible case if she is going to be able to avoid cuts to US diplomatic and development efforts.

What should we expect from the President’s 2013 assistance budget?

By: Staff Person
February 9, 2012

Although the 2012 international affairs budget dodged the proverbial bullet, and the president’s 2013 budget request will likely be reasonably robust, this is all something of a mirage. The administration appears eager to keep its powder dry in advance of what will eventually be a high stakes showdown over sequestration at the end of the year, after considerable election-year dust has settled.

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.

Thanksgiving and the American Mind

By: Staff Person
November 22, 2011

As we look forward to Thanksgiving celebrations, IREX President Ambassador W. Robert Pearson reminds Congress to appreciate the importance of foreign assistance.  This entry originally appeared in the Voices of IREX blog. The Thanksgiving holiday in America gives us all a chance to reflect on gratitude, on generosity, and on reaching out to those in … Continue reading Thanksgiving and the American Mind

Street Theatre: Superheroes or supervillans?

By: Staff Person
October 27, 2011

See below for a post from Linda Delgado calling upon the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to protect poverty-focused development assistance. Linda Delgado is Director of Government Affairs at Oxfam America. It is street theatre everywhere these days. Standard decision making processes and procedures are OUT. Legislating on appropriations bills is IN. And twelve … Continue reading Street Theatre: Superheroes or supervillans?