Yoho, Smith Lead Colleagues in Calling for Transparency in Proposed Redesign of U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development

Statement

Representatives Ted Yoho (R-FL03) and Adam Smith(D-WA09), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance, led 67 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mulvaney calling for open dialogue on the proposed changes to U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development:

"In these financially restrictive times, as the United States re-evaluates our foreign assistance programs Congress must remain involved and work with the Administration to create the most efficient and effective programs possible," said Congressman Ted Yoho. "By doing so, we can lay out specific goals to transition countries from aid to trade as rapidly as possible for maximum effect."

"Any redesign of U.S. foreign assistance programs must be done in a transparent manner and in consultation with the development community and with Congress." said Congressman Adam Smith. "Public engagement during this critical juncture is necessary in order to improve the overall effectiveness of foreign assistance and bring further stability to the world."

"Strong bipartisan Congressional support for foreign assistance programs is a key element of the United States' global leadership. Over the last 15 years, Congress has worked with Republican and Democratic administrations to improve U.S. foreign assistance with powerful results, such as the Global Food Security Act and the Foreign Assistance Transparency and Accountability Act," wrote the Members of Congress. "Given Congress' role as the sole body in the authorizing and budgetary processes, we believe that any effort to enact reforms without a strong partnership between Congress and the Administration will not be sustainable."

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