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Dear Board of Directors,

Earlier this month Speaker Ryan and the House Republicans began releasing six policy papers under the 'Better Way' platform in hopes of projecting what Republicans stand for, not just "what [they're] against." The second paper focused on their national security strategy<http://abetterway.speaker.gov/_assets/pdf/ABetterWay-NSTF-PolicyPaper.pdf>.

On our issues, Ryan moved a step closer to embracing our policy agenda.

* As background, for many years he served as Budget Chairman, presenting budget proposals that significantly cut the International Affairs Budget and included controversial policy changes-like calling for shifting the majority of development programs from USAID to the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
* Since leaving the Budget Committee, we have met with Speaker Ryan, and talked extensively with his top aides, educating and engaging them around our issues.
* His new National Security Strategy, while not exactly in our language, is clearly a positive shift and shows a strong recognition of development and diplomacy as important tools, alongside defense.

Unfortunately, he is still highly skeptical about USAID and we will need to continue to work to educate his team about the positive reforms that have taken place. But overall, a good step forward with more work to do.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

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IMPACT 2016 UPDATE - FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

House Republican National Security Platform

June 22, 2016

Over the last several months, six House Republican taskforces have been developing policy papers to hone the Conference's platform ahead of the fall elections. Initiated and led by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), the effort culminated in early June with the release of the first two policy papers, including one on national security entitled 'A Better Way to Keep Us Safe and Free.' The paper was developed with strong input of key Committee Chairmen, including HFAC Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), and outlines numerous new and old policies to defeat terrorism, protect the homeland, tackle new threats, and defend freedom.

While major portions of the platform are dedicated to immigration reform, the military, and caring for veterans, below are a few key takeaways related to development and diplomacy programs:

1. Republicans Embrace Foreign Assistance as Critical Component of National Security
Embracing the long-held GOP legacy of supporting foreign assistance, the House GOP reinforced the importance of development and diplomacy as a key element of America's national security. As we often reference, President Reagan presided over the highest funding levels for foreign assistance as a percentage of GDP and President George W. Bush was the first to include the programs in his national security strategies in 2002 and 2006. So it is good to see congressional Republicans continuing to weave our civilian tools of national security into their thinking on national security.

"The U.S. military has worked tirelessly since 9/11 to defeat our enemies. But to win the peace, we must strengthen the civilian elements of our national security." - A Better Way, page 19

2. Addressing Development Challenges Recognized as Key to Keeping America Safe
The strategy recognizes the importance of addressing global development challenges (like extreme poverty and economic development) as key to our national security and economic prosperity. Priorities such as empowering women, advancing global health, promoting democracy and human rights, and advancing new technology are foregrounded when it comes to promoting our interests overseas-not surprising given recent, successful legislative efforts under HFAC Chairman Ed Royce.

"Extreme poverty overseas threatens the economic and national security interests of the United States. The world has seen that American leadership in opening global markets for trade and investment has helped lift more than 1 billion people out of poverty. Foreign aid must take the form of strategic investment that promotes the growth of stable societies by stimulating economic growth." - A Better Way, page 15

3. The Story of Reform is Still a Hurdle to Overcome
The strategy includes several recommendations on reforms for the State Department and USAID including the need to reauthorize foreign assistance programs-something that hasn't been done for decades. Unfortunately, the paper does not acknowledge the game-changing reforms that have already taken place over the last decade under both Republican and Democratic Administrations. For those who work closely with USAID, the changes that have taken place are obvious and impactful. But the paper fails to acknowledge neither these efforts nor the bipartisan work underway to build upon what has already been accomplished.

"With a few notable exceptions, USAID's programs and workforce have failed to keep pace with the rapidly changing development landscape. It must modernize its approach to development by embracing science and technology, incentivizing innovation, and leveraging private-sector expertise and investment." - A Better Way, page 19

4. The Paper is Not Without Partisanship
With five months until the election, it is clear from the outset that the paper seeks to draw a clear (and quite partisan) contrast with President Obama and Secretary Clinton. From the critique of a "lead from behind" strategy, the "legitimizing" of Iran's nuclear program, and a "failed reset" with Russia the document does not mince words when it comes to the perceived foreign policy failings of the Obama Administration and its first Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

"From refusing to enforce its red line in Syria, to legitimizing Iran's nuclear enrichment program, to its failed reset with Russia, to tolerating a more bellicose North Korean regime, to cavalierly dismissing the threat while the most dangerous terrorist organization in history emerged, the administration has experimented with a new foreign policy concert-leading from behind-that can now be declared an unambiguous failure." - A Better Way, page