USAID Operating Expenses

Description

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) global engagement is essential to defending U.S. national security, asserting U.S. leadership and influence, and advancing stability, security, and prosperity worldwide.

What Does This Buy?

Funding supports the salaries and expenses of Washington-based and overseas employees, personal service contractors, employees hired by other federal agencies but assigned to USAID, and associated support costs, while ensuring prudent stewardship and accountability of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Funds also go toward the modernization of IT systems, which help to ensure that programs operate more transparently and effectively.

Justification for the Request

• USAID has transformed into an evidence-based and results-oriented organization. It has helped communities lift themselves out of poverty by focusing on economic solutions and market-based approaches.
• USAID staff continue to serve in the Frontline States of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

U.S. Interest

USAID operating expenses support the global engagement of USAID staff. This engagement is essential to defending U.S. national security, maintaining U.S. leadership, and furthering stability around the globe.

Bold Vision

• USAID is undergoing a transformation process that will make it more efficient and responsive. With increased funding these changes could impact a broader population, impacting the lives of more beneficiaries.
• Increased funding could help restore critical in-house expertise and capabilities, including the ability to design and implement intelligent development programming that would contribute to the overall goals of ending poverty, better governance, and achieving progress that make countries more resilient.

Impact of Cuts

• Funding cuts to USAID operations prevent the agency from achieving optimum results. This includes oversight of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars, response to ongoing and rising crises that jeopardize U.S. security, and innovative development.
• Cuts decrease USAID’s technical expertise in vital programs and threaten efficiency and effectiveness.