Senators propose legislation on foreign aid reform
July 31, 2009

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), and Committee members Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Bob Corker (R-TN), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Jim Risch (R-ID) this week introduced legislation to bolster the effectiveness of U.S. development assistance. The Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act of 2009 seeks to improve monitoring and evaluation of aid spending and foster effective coordination among the various U.S. aid agencies in the field. It also aims to restore the capacity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to design and implement effective, responsive assistance. “This legislation will go a long way toward improving our immediate ability to deliver foreign aid in a more accountable, thoughtful and strategic manner,” said Chairman Kerry.

The Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act of 2009 (S.1524):

• reestablishes a Bureau for Policy and Strategic Planning at USAID, restoring its leadership position in U.S. development policy;
• calls for strengthening the coordination of U.S. foreign aid in the field under the guidance of the USAID mission director;
• increases accountability and transparency of U.S. foreign aid programs by establishing an independent Council in the executive branch to evaluate the impact and results of all development and foreign aid programs undertaken by the U.S. Government;
• strengthens USAID’s personnel systems, with the goal of rebuilding the agency’s expertise and staff capacity to lead on U.S. development policy.

Learn more about the bill:

Chairman Kerry's opening statement for the hearing on reforming U.S. foreign aid policies

A statement from Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) Co-Chairs David Beckmann and George Ingram commending the Senators for introducing the bill

Senator Lugar's op-ed Strong Voice for Development Needed posted on the Center for Global Development website

IGD's work to improve foreign aid