IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 880 

Supporting the continued work of the Millennium Challenge Corporation as 

it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its creation. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 

Mr. SMITH of Washington (for himself and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the continued work of the Millennium Challenge 

Corporation as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its 

creation. 

Whereas the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was 

established in 2004 by Congress as an independent Federal Government development agency working to reduce 

global poverty through economic growth; 

Whereas MCC’s grants are designed to create measurable 

economic growth opportunities, improve the lives of the 

world’s poor, incentivize better governance, and open new 

markets for United States businesses; 

Whereas the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003, as amended 

(22 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), established MCC as an independent Federal development agency with the goal of— 


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•HRES 880 IH 

(1) delivering smart United States foreign assistance 

by focusing on good policies, country ownership, and results; 

(2) providing time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions; and 

(3) forming partnerships with developing countries 

who are committed to democracy, good governance, economic freedom, and investing in their citizens; 

Whereas MCC’s impact reaches beyond specific projects to 

promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in its 

partner countries; 

Whereas MCC projects tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by communities across developing countries, 

encourage policy reforms that advance the rights of vulnerable communities, and combat the challenges of lack 

of access to reliable electricity, clean drinking water and 

sanitation, sustainable food systems, and durable and reliable roads; 

Whereas MCC’s evidence-based approach to development, 

which focuses on economic growth and addressing root 

causes of poverty, has proven to be effective; 

Whereas MCC’s partnerships with governments, the private 

sector, and civil society have been critical to its success; 

Whereas, across its global portfolio, MCC has trained 

426,495 farmers in improved agricultural techniques, 

supported 394,840 students in education activities, added 

113 megawatts of generation capacity to power grids, 

formalized 320,722 land rights to give individuals more 

secure property rights, constructed 3,563 kilometers of 


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•HRES 880 IH 

roads, and added 220,000,000 liters of water production 

capacity per day to water systems; 

Whereas MCC’s good governance eligibility criteria have provided a powerful incentive for countries to adopt reforms 

to strengthen their commitment to democratic governance, economic freedom, and investing in their people, a 

phenomenon referred to as the ‘‘MCC Effect’’; 

Whereas, by holding partner countries accountable for results 

and continued good governance, MCC advances American 

security, values, and prosperity; 

Whereas MCC grants complement other United States and 

international development programs by pairing investment in infrastructure with policy and institutional reforms in countries that meet rigorous standards for good 

governance, fighting corruption, and respecting democratic rights; 

Whereas MCC consistently works with partner countries to 

unlock the economic potential of women and overcome financial, legal, and cultural barriers that prevent women 

from fully engaging in their countries’ economies; 

Whereas, since its inception, MCC has mandated the integration of gender into its country programs, and gender 

analysis informs all aspects of MCC’s work, from selecting country partners to identifying gender-responsive economic growth constraints to supporting partner governments to enact legal and policy changes; 

Whereas MCC has consistently been ranked as the most 

transparent United States foreign aid agency, and the 

Federal agency that most effectively creates and uses evidence for program impact; and 


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Whereas, over the last 20 years, MCC has invested more than 

$15,000,000,000 in 86 programs located in 50 countries, 

benefiting over a quarter of a billion people worldwide, 

with a focus on country-led implementation and rigorous 

oversight: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) congratulates and commends the Millen3 nium Challenge Corporation on 20 years of reducing 

4 global poverty by delivering sustainable economic 

5 growth to countries committed to good governance; 

6 (2) recognizes that the Millennium Challenge 

7 Corporation contributes directly to the national in8 terests of the United States; and 

9 (3) commits to continue to support the vital 

10 work of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

Æ 


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