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.