USAID Administrator speaks on development’s role in national security

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Ambassador (Ret.) Mark Green spoke on the subject of USAID’s role in international development and U.S. national security at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on November 1.

In his opening statement, Green spoke about the necessity of Department of Defense and USAID cooperation in U.S. foreign policy, citing the agencies’ recent combined efforts responding to disasters in Latin American and the Caribbean. When later speaking about his experience at USAID, Green said that he was “struck by the level of humanitarian need” and noted the growing level of need.

During the hearing, Amb. (Ret.) Green answered questions about proposed changes to the budget, including programs that have been eliminated, and USAID’s plans to address pressing humanitarian problems. Members of the subcommittee inquired after the empowerment of women and girls, wildlife trafficking as a form of terrorist financing, famine aid, and bolstering diversity in programming, among other soft power diplomacy efforts.

Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) asked about USAID’s “chronic management problems,” including coordinating with other agencies and communicating about their programs and funding. Green stressed USAID’s commitment to congressional consultation, constant dialog, and the sharing of ideas. Chairman Rogers also expressed concern about the planned reorganization of USAID, for which Rogers said the committee has not received updates. Green promised the committee would be consulted in the future.

U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Ambassador (Ret.) Mark Green answers questions
during a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on November 1.

For more on Administrator Green’s statement, please follow the link below.
USAID Administrator Mark Green’s Opening Statement before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, U.S. Agency for International Development
Oversight Hearing – Accountable Soft Power in the National Interest, The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations