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Dear Board of Directors,

As our hearts break at the events unfolding in Dallas, I did want to share a brief update on our issues.

From the campaign trail to Congress, here’s the story of six interesting days starting last week:

* Friday 4pm. The just released draft of the Democratic Party Platform doubled down on its long-standing commitment to America’s global leadership – and honestly, sounded like it was written by USGLC! It is incredible – spot-on message for us. Full-hearted endorsement of global development as an “essential instrument of American power” to “prevent threats, enhance stability, and reduce the need for military force.” It mentions the importance of the “one percent of the federal budget” and highlights global health, extreme poverty, child mortality, women and girls, and fighting hunger and pandemics.

Once the draft is finalized in Orlando this weekend, I’ll circulate our complete analysis. For now, read our press statement<http://www.usglc.org/2016/07/01/usglc-statement-on-the-democratic-party-platform-draft/>.

* Tuesday 9pm. In a unanimous vote, Congress passed the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act that ensures our foreign assistance programs continue to be effective, accountable, and results-driven. A critical piece of legislation that the USGLC has long supported, this soon-to-be law will help strengthen our argument on the Hill with those members who might require a bit more persuasion. ☺

* Wednesday 4pm. After years of work by members on both sides of the aisle – and so many of you – Congress finally passed the Global Food Security Act. As you know, this bill builds upon and cements the progress of the Administration’s Feed the Future initiative. And to help secure the final votes, USGLC leaders General Chuck Wald and Land O’Lakes CEO Chris Policinski weighed-in with a timely op-ed<thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international-affairs/286131-fighting-global-hunger-helps-us-here-at-home> in The Hill. Read our statement<http://www.usglc.org/2016/07/06/usglc-applauds-house-passage-of-global-food-security-act-foreign-aid-transparency-bill/> on both bills.

Here’s the story we need to be amplifying: When it looks like nothing is getting done in Washington, that’s just not the case on our issues. Two bipartisan bills in two days passed on foreign assistance – making it three bills in six months with Electrify Africa. And five pieces of critical legislation in the 114th Congress with Girls Count and the Water for the World Act. Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives, Congress and the White House are supporting these issues!

And it’s just been announced<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/07/08/statement-national-security-advisor-susan-e-rice-white-house-summit> that President Obama will host a Summit on Global Development on July 20th at the Ronald Reagan Building – expecting Feed the Future and Power Africa to be a central focus. More information will be out shortly.

Last but certainly not least, the House Appropriations number for State-Foreign Operations just came in at $100 million less than the Senate allocation. While I am not satisfied, the truth is that the funding level is not bad considering all the dynamics we know are at play. Now the battle of the Continuing Resolution begins – that perhaps could extend current funding levels through March.

We’re off to the GOP convention in a week’s time – hope to see many of you there.

Here’s what I’ll be sending next:

* An insider analysis of the Democratic platform after this weekend.
* An insider analysis of the GOP platform later next week. The platform committee meets in Cleveland starting Monday and we have been working very hard to improve some language from the 2012 platform – and let’s just say, it’s complicated. But we have briefed all the co-chairs of the Foreign Policy plank, including the Trump delegates.
* Profiles of the VP nominees as soon as they are announced. We have about 20 drafted!

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC