Congress and the MCA

CGD Analysis Summary

The U.S. Congress plays a key role in overseeing the MCA. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House International Relations Committee are charged with authorizing MCA programs, and the Senate and House Foreign Operations subcommittees appropriate funds for the MCA annually.

This page offers a summary of relevant legislation, hearings and other Congressional activity, and lists CGD work on the topics.

 

 

 

 

 

What's New in Congress

FY2008 Budget

 

 

Read the MCA Monitor's analysis of why the MCA could use the full $3 billion requested for it in the FY08 Budget Request. 

On June 5 the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee released their mark-up of the FY08 budget allocating $1.8 billion for the MCA--slightly above the prior two years' enacted levels.  (Read the House press release (pdf)).  On June 28 the Senate came out with a $1.2 billion mark for MCC which is lower than any appropriated level since FY04, MCC's first year of operations.  (Read the Senate press release (pdf)).

House Commends Lesotho, Recognizes Role of MCC in Encouraging Reform

On June 16, 2007 the House passed a resolution (H.Res.294) commending the Kingdom of Lesotho for enacting a law that ends the minority status of married women and ensures their ability to own property.  The resolution was sponsored by Diane Watson (D-CA), vice-chair of the House Africa Subcommittee of the House Committee of Foreign Affairs, and had 47 co-sponsors.  Congresswoman Watson recognized MCC's leadership role and cooperative work with the government of Lesotho to help encourage the passage of the law by promoting the importance of gender equality in economic participation.  The Senate passed a similar resolution (S.Res.103)--led by Richard Lugar (R-IN)--in March 2007.

 

CGD Work on Congress and the MCA

• The Impact of FY2008 Funding Options on the MCA: From Saving Face to Saving the Program, by Sheila Herrling (November 16, 2007)
• The Millennium Challenge Account In Africa - Testimony Before the House Committee On Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health , by Steve Radelet (June 28, 2007)
• Foreign Assistance Reforms: Successes, Failures, and Next Steps - Testimony for the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development, Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection, by Steve Radelet (June 13, 2007)
• Will the Millennium Challenge Account Be Caught in the Crosshairs? A Critical Year for Full Funding, by Sheila Herrling and Sarah Rose (March 30, 2007)
• US Development Aid and the Millennium Challenge Account: Emerging Trends in Appropriations, by Kaysie Brown, Bilal Siddiqi and Myra Sessions (October 16, 2006)
• The Millennium Challenge Account: Making the Vision a Reality - Testimony for the House Committee on International Relations by Steven Radelet
  (April 27, 2005)
• House International Relations Committee Hearing on the Millennium Challenge Account Summary by Sarah Lucas (April 27, 2005)
• House Foreign Operations Subcommittee Hearing on the Millennium Challenge Account Summary by Sarah Lucas (April 13, 2005)
• U.S. Foreign Assistance After September 11th - Testimony for the House Committee on International Relations by Steven Radelet (February 26, 2004 )
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee Mark Up on the MCA Summary by Sarah Lucas (May 21, 2003 )