Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Castro Legislation to Make U.s. International Development Efforts More Impactful and Cost-efficient

Statement

Today, The Global Development Lab Act, a bill introduced by Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee and moved one step closer to consideration by the full House of Representatives. The legislation authorizes and augments the capabilities of the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Global Development Lab, an entity that applies science, technology, innovation, and partnerships to accelerate development impact and solve the world's most pressing problems.

"Today's adoption of the Global Development Lab Act shows the Foreign Affairs Committee's support for applying science and building partnerships to solve urgent, complex development challenges," said Rep. Castro. "USAID's Global Development Lab is revolutionizing our efforts to save lives, foster international stability, and fulfill strategic foreign policy objectives through development work overseas. Today's legislation expands the universe of brainpower in the private sector, academia, and non-profits that the Lab can tap in its pursuit of groundbreaking solutions. With this bill, we empower the Lab not only to continue its bold work of making our planet more peaceful and prosperous for all, but to do that work more efficiently. I look forward to the full House's consideration of this legislation that holds the potential to do so much good for humankind."

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