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Dear Board of Directors,

As a Chicago-gal, it’s hard to believe that a “little” wind in D.C. has closed the Federal Government today. My unexpected schedule allows me to catch up with all of you and share a few updates from the week. Lots to report.

1. USGLC Hosts Secretary George Shultz. I had one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments on Tuesday when we hosted Secretary Shultz, a member of our Advisory Council (thanks to USGLC board member Lionel Johnson who worked for him at State and Treasury). At 97-years-old, he’s not only as sharp as a tack, but a very dapper dresser indeed. This was our third invitation-only event of entrepreneurs, business leaders, impact investors, and philanthropists as we build our Northern California Leadership Council. It’s a very unique conversation on the other coast and helping me shape our thinking and hopefully raise some money. Check out the photos<https://www.flickr.com/photos/usglc/sets/72157664240270547/>.

2. Shaping the Debate. My latest op-ed<http://time.com/5177802/cdc-budget-cuts-infectious-disease/> in TIME shines a spotlight on the consequences of devastating cuts to the CDC and its impact on pandemic preparedness. Also, Dan Glickman testified in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on food aid reform last month, and Carolyn Miles’ latest op-ed<http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/374074-timing-could-not-be-worse-to-cut-foreign-assistance> stressing our need to lean-in on foreign assistance given the staggering number of children living in conflict zones. Keep them coming! We were also very pleased that a close friend of Secretary of State Tillerson from the Boy Scouts of America, Tico Perez, not only joined our Florida Committee but also co-signed an op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel<http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-dont-let-us-take-back-seat-to-china-20180228-story.html> on the importance of the International Affairs Budget.

3. USGLC on the Road. Some interesting events around the country these past few weeks:


* Illinois with Senator Duckworth: Last Friday, we held our first statewide event of year in my hometown with Senator Tammy Duckworth alongside Ambassador Chris Hill and General Ken Hunzeker – who served in Iraq together. With just three weeks to plan, the team did an amazing job engaging an audience of 300+ business, NGO, faith, and veteran leaders for a discussion that had a strong national security focus. Duckworth had sharp words about the President and pivoted from there to a strong endorsement of development and diplomacy with insights from her recent trip to South Korea. Most powerful soundbites: her last job prior to enlistment was delivering wheelchairs in Southeast Asia for the Rotary Club and she grew up watching her dad working for UNDP!


* Dallas with Ray Washburne: On Monday, Jason was in Dallas with OPIC chief Ray Washburne to lead a discussion with about 100 business and community leaders on the importance of economic growth in the developing world. It was a timely conversation to have amid the backdrop of the new legislation and reforms to America’s premier development finance agency.


* SmartVote 2018 & More: In addition to the big events, Carey and the Outreach team have pulled off 4 educational roundtable programs, 8 in-district meetings with members of Congress, and 28 candidate meetings – all in 15 different states. A strong start to the year with more to come. Interesting tidbit: overall, the candidates are very green when it comes to foreign policy but are eager to learn, which bodes well for our effort.

4. On Capitol Hill. In the midst of a wild week in Washington, Ariana and Jason led our Budget Hill Day where our partners joined us in meetings with close to 60 priority offices. A big thank you to Anne Marie Chotvacs, Bill O’Keefe, Eric Reading, and Bob Zachritz for being part of the successful day. Few highlights plus an update on the FY18 Budget:


* Senator Doug Jones: Remember at the board meeting when I shared with you that Jones didn’t want to meet with our local leaders during the campaign? Well, the USGLC had a fabulous chat with the new Senator and a long meeting with his Chief of Staff (who once took the foreign service exam). Sounds like we have a friend and we’re already working to host him for in-state event in Alabama!

* New House Budget Chair: As you know, there is a new House Budget Chair – Rep. Steve Womack from Arkansas. The USGLC had a very productive and positive meeting with his new Staff Director (who happens to be the spouse of Secretary Tillerson’s Chief of Staff).

* FY18 Update: Will it ever end? Here is what we know – while the final 302(b) allocations have not been publicly announced, appropriators are finalizing their individual bills and hope to have an omnibus bill ready by March 14 (current CR runs out on 3/23). A big thank you to everyone on the mobilization – we believe it is really making a difference as Members of Congress have heard our voice and hopefully recognize the need to increase funding beyond current levels. While we don’t know the final numbers, we’re hopeful that the words of Senator Graham at the USGLC Tribute Dinner will come true: “When this is all over, we’re gonna have more money for foreign assistance, not less.”

5. Development Finance Toolkit: As we discussed at the board meeting, this week Congress moved forward with its development finance legislation, similar to the Administration’s vision from the FY19 budget request. Senators Corker and Coons and Reps. Yoho and Smith introduced the “BUILD Act” – that would streamline our existing development finance tools and establish a new International Development Finance Corporation. Behind the scenes there are still some items to work out between USAID and OPIC and a few issues on Capitol Hill, but a lot of momentum to support elevating the development finance toolkit. Here’s my statement<http://www.usglc.org/newsroom/usglc-ceo-statement-new-development-finance-legislation/>.

6. Few other items:


* Ivanka. Senator Graham’s trip to Africa with Ivanka has been rescheduled from March to August. It is unclear if Ivanka will still participate, but thanks to board member Andrew Tisch, Derek and I had a good meeting with Ivanka’s top foreign policy advisor to discuss how USGLC’s leadership can be a resource to her women’s economic empowerment platform. They’re interested and we’re working on next steps. Keep you posted.

* McMaster. You have seen the news – he may be on his way out. Could our friend Steve Biegun (former Condi aide, now Ford head lobbyist) really be the next NSA?

* Tillerson. He’s headed to Africa – Djibouti, Chad, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia – March 8-13. We’re trying to get him to visit development programs but to be honest, I’m not sure we will be successful – but it’s not stopping us from working lots of angles on this one. Tillerson’s budget testimony on Capitol Hill this week was postponed due to a family emergency – rescheduled hearings are expected the week of March 19.

* USAID. Administrator Green announced “Power Africa 2.0” and a shift toward energy distribution rather than production. No new resources, but great to see the Administration embrace the initiative. USAID is also focused on procurement reform to streamline their current 20 mechanisms. More soon on opportunities to engage and provide input.

* MCC. SFRC held their confirmation hearing for MCC CEO-nominee Sean Cairncross, and several members raised questions about his limited background on foreign affairs and development. Sean did a courtesy visit to our office and is anxious to meet with the board as soon as he is confirmed.

More soon. And if you are in DC, hope you have electricity – stay safe.

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC