WASHINGTON — USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer released the following statement in support of the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2015, introduced by Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD):

We applaud the leadership by Senators Rubio and Cardin and Congressmen Poe and Connolly for championing efforts to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of our nation’s foreign assistance programs. Their bipartisan legislation will contribute to strengthening America’s global leadership, and advancing our interests and values around the world.

The USGLC has long been an advocate for a strong and effective International Affairs Budget and ensuring that our foreign assistance programs continue to be accountable, transparent and results driven. This legislation helps codify the game-changing reforms undertaken by multiple Administrations in the past decade, and particularly those embraced by USAID.

For only one percent of the federal budget, America’s development and diplomacy programs provide a powerful return on investment for our nation’s security and prosperity. We congratulate the sponsors for their commitment to further enhancing these vital investments.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments to elevate development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.