U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1

19–011 2003

108th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 108–37

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE MILLENNIUM 

CHALLENGE ACT OF 2003

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE MILLENNIUM 

CHALLENGE ACCOUNT AND THE MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE 

CORPORATION

FEBRUARY 11, 2003.—Referred jointly to the Committees on International 

Relations, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Resources, and Government 

Reform and ordered to be printed 


E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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To the Congress of the United States: 

I am pleased to transmit a legislative proposal to establish the 

Millennium Challenge Account and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Also transmitted is a section-by-section analysis. 

The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) represents a new approach to providing and delivering development assistance. This 

new compact for development breaks with the past by tying increased assistance to performance and creating new accountability 

for all nations. This proposal implements my commitment to increase current levels of core development assistance by 50 percent 

over the next 3 years, thus providing an annual increase of $5 billion by fiscal year 2006. To be eligible for this new assistance, 

countries must demonstrate commitment to three standards—ruling justly, investing in their people, and encouraging economic freedom. Given this commitment, and the link between financial accountability and development success, special attention will be 

given to fighting corruption. 

The goal of the Millennium Challenge Account initiative is to reduce poverty by significantly increasing economic growth in recipient countries through a variety of targeted investments. The MCA 

will be administered by a new, small Government corporation, 

called the Millennium Challenge Corporation, designed to support 

innovative strategies and to ensure accountability for measurable 

results. The Corporation will be supervised by a Board of Directors 

chaired by the Secretary of State and composed of other Cabinetlevel officials. The Corporation will be led by a Chief Executive Officer appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. This proposal provides the Corporation with 

flexible authorities to optimize program implementation, contracting, and personnel selection while pursuing innovative strategies. 

The Millennium Challenge Account initiative recognizes the need 

for country ownership, financial oversight, and accountability for 

results to ensure effective assistance. We cannot accept permanent 

poverty in a world of progress. The MCA will provide people in developing nations the tools they need to seize the opportunities of 

the global economy. I urge the prompt and favorable consideration 

of this legislation.

GEORGE W. BUSH. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, February 5, 2003. 

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