Newly proposed Global Partnerships Act seeks to modernize U.S. foreign assistance

U.S. Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) unveiled his new draft Global Partnerships Act of 2011 today. This proposed plan seeks to replace the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and bring U.S. foreign assistance into the 21st century.

Among its many provisions, the bill: requires the development of a comprehensive U.S. Strategy for Global Development every four years; stipulates that humanitarian action should be primarily civilian in nature, with the Department of Defense providing aid only when no civilian alternatives exist; and requires a comprehensive plan to strengthen and rebuild USAID's capacity.

“This new plan to streamline and modernize foreign assistance makes more sense than haphazardly slashing the budget now—as some in Congress have proposed—and paying significantly more later to fix systemic problems and meet program needs,” said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. “We are pleased this proposal includes many of the reform elements our members have championed in recent years.”

Read InterAction’s full press release here.