[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE INITIATING FOREIGN ASSISTANCE REFORM ACT OF 2009

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2009

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Initiating Foreign 
Assistance Reform Act of 2009. This legislation is an important first 
step in reforming and improving the U.S. foreign assistance program, 
particularly with respect to developing countries. I call it a first 
step, because I intend to work with my House and Senate colleagues 
later this year on a broader reform effort that will include a 
comprehensive rewrite of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
  There is broad consensus that the U.S. foreign assistance program is 
in need of a significant overhaul. Currently, foreign assistance 
programs are fragmented across 12 departments, 25 different agencies, 
and nearly 60 government offices. The current foreign assistance 
structure is characterized by duplication, fragmentation, and 
conflicting purposes and objectives. As a result, the United States 
lacks a clear and consistent strategy toward developing countries. Last 
week, the Government Accountability Office issued a report detailing 
the urgent need for developing such a strategy.
  Over the years, there have also been criticisms about the 
accountability, effectiveness, and transparency of U.S. foreign 
assistance. While some of these criticisms have merit, in the vast 
majority of cases our assistance is being used to help lift people out 
of poverty, combat food insecurity, and promote stability and good 
governance all over the world. Yet without an effective and transparent 
system that tracks our assistance, it is difficult to document our 
successes.
  In order to begin addressing these issues, this bill requires the 
President to develop and implement a comprehensive National Strategy 
for Global Development, which will define and streamline the roles of 
each department and agency engaged in development policies, programs 
and activities overseas. In addition, the strategy will establish a 
process to review and improve coordination among the various 
departments and agencies involved. The strategy will also establish 
objectives for our development programs, with the goal of reducing 
poverty and contributing to broad-based economic growth in developing 
countries. Most importantly, it will spell out the connection between 
reducing poverty in the developing world and advancing U.S. national 
security and foreign policy interests.
  To improve the accountability and transparency of foreign aid, the 
legislation requires each U.S. department and agency carrying out 
foreign assistance to develop a system to monitor and evaluate the 
effectiveness and efficiency of assistance programs. It also requires 
the President to publish and make publicly available comprehensive 
information on U.S. foreign assistance on a program-by-program and 
country-by-country basis. Upon enactment of this legislation, every 
American and all recipients of U.S. foreign aid will be able to see 
where and how U.S. foreign assistance is being used.
  Madam Speaker, overhauling our foreign assistance apparatus is 
critical to safeguarding America's long-term national security, 
confronting transnational threats, stimulating global economic growth 
and ensuring that U.S. foreign assistance reflects the values and 
priorities of the American people. This legislation is a critical first 
step in achieving these objectives, and I look forward to working with 
my House and Senate colleagues and the Obama Administration on the 
broader U.S. foreign assistance reform effort.

                          ____________________