Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its International Development and Foreign Assistance Subcommittee released the following statement regarding the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Summit concluding today.

“America’s commitment to international development is not only a moral imperative, but a tool for national security and global stability, as President Obama made clear at the United Nations today.
  I was pleased that his remarks reiterated the weight and gravity he and his Administration put on the importance of global development, underscored by his announcement of a new U.S. Global Development Policy at the United Nation’s MDG Summit today.

“We look forward to integrating the Administration’s new policy with Congressional efforts to reform U.S. foreign aid.
  Moving forward together, we must take actions that make it clear that development is a true
pillar of our foreign policy, alongside diplomacy and defense
.
  I believe that we
must restore our dedication to development by
remaking our own foreign assistance infrastructure, in Washington and abroad.
  The only way to ensure the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is once again the premier development aid agency in the world is to provide it with the resources, mandate and clear authority that the other pillars of global engagement receive.
 

“While integrating the crucial work of the MDGs with our multilateral partners, the U.S. must continue to expect the greatest effectiveness and accountability in all we do, as well as our partners.
 This cannot happen without a laser-like focus on combating corruption and ensuring gender equality in the nations with which we work. I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in the Senate in reviewing these new policies and ensuring they are implemented and monitored successfully.”