Number: R40102
Title: Foreign Aid Reform: Studies and Recommendations
Authors: Susan B. Epstein, Specialist in Foreign Policy; Matthew C. Weed, Analyst in Foreign Policy Legislation 
Abstract: In recent years, numerous studies have addressed various concerns and provided recommendations regarding U.S. foreign aid policy, funding, and structure. Views range from general approval of the F process as a first step toward better coordination of aid programs and the need to build on it, to strong criticism of the creation of the F Bureau, its inadequacy in coordinating or reforming much of what is wrong with foreign aid, and the need to replace it with a cabinet-level department of foreign aid. While the 14 studies surveyed by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) emphasize different aspects of the importance of U.S. foreign assistance, all agree that foreign assistance must be reformed to improve its effectiveness. Of the 16 recommendation categories CRS identifies, only enhancing civilian agency resources has the support of all of the studies covered in this report. The next two most-often cited recommendations are raising development to equal status with diplomacy and defense, and increasing needs-based foreign aid, while encouraging recipientgovernment ownership of aid effectiveness. Half of the studies urge a greater congressional role in foreign aid budgeting and policy formulation.
Pages: 29
Date: December 17, 2008