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I believe that America’s interests are best served by an increased and continued emphasis on diplomacy and development, which are the roles and responsibilities of our foreign service agencies. I serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which oversees many aspects of our country's foreign policy.
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I am a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 2139, the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act 2009, which I consider a necessary first step toward comprehensive reform of U.S. foreign assistance policy. H.R. 2139 places great emphasis on aid effectiveness and the need to better coordinate U.S. foreign aid programs by requiring increased transparency.
I believe that poverty reduction must be at the core of the critically important efforts to reform U.S. foreign assistance policy. I also believe that U.S. foreign assistance programs should be under civilian control in all but the most exceptional cases. In achieving a full-scale reformation of U.S. foreign assistance management, it is important that the roles and budget of USAID be strengthened and expanded to oversee all aid-related initiatives and programs. The further development of developing or underdeveloped nations should be one of the three pillars of ensuring U.S. national security along with diplomacy and defense. |
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To provide resources for foreign policy efforts and public diplomacy, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410) contains components that will expand study-abroad programs as well as cultural and educational programs to broaden the perspectives of our young and future generations. It will also increase the size of the U.S. peace corps and volunteers to strengthen our development and humanitarian efforts worldwide. Most importantly, it will allow the State Department to expand its foreign service workforce over the next two years to support active engagement with partners and allies to restore American leadership and renew our image. In addition, the bill will reiterate U.S. commitment to multilateral diplomacy and our readiness to work with the international community by implementing U.S. financial commitment to the United Nations and other international organizations in which we are an active and responsible member. I strongly support this legislation.
We need to invest in diplomacy and development as a way to advance our national interests and promote good relations with our allies and the international community. As a Member of Congress, I will work closely with my colleagues and the Administration to ensure that the U.S. foreign service meets its goals and objectives. |
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