Washington, DC —USGLC Executive Director Liz Schrayer released this statement in support of the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013 (H.R. 2638; S. 1271), introduced yesterday by Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD):

“The USGLC commends Congressmen Poe and Connolly and Senators Rubio and Cardin for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation to further enhance the accountability and effectiveness of foreign assistance programs.  In addition to ensuring ample funding and resources for development and diplomacy, it’s vital that we ensure the highest standards for transparency and results.  This legislation does exactly that, building on the important reforms being undertaken by USAID and those modeled in the Foreign Assistance Dashboard and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Dollar for dollar, and for only one percent of the federal budget, our international affairs programs provide a powerful return on investment for our nation’s security and prosperity.  We congratulate the sponsors for their commitment to further enhancing these vital investments.”

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.