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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 880 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

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--

    (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 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
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates and commends the Millennium Challenge 
        Corporation on 20 years of reducing global poverty by 
        delivering sustainable economic growth to countries committed 
        to good governance;
            (2) recognizes that the Millennium Challenge Corporation 
        contributes directly to the national interests of the United 
        States; and
            (3) commits to continue to support the vital work of the 
        Millennium Challenge Corporation.
                                 <all>
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