A bipartisan bill which aims to ensure American tax dollars do a better job of helping fight global poverty was put before Congress yesterday.

The Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act 2013 was introduced by Representatives Judge Ted Poe (R-TX) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and its’ companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ben Cardin (D-MD).

US aid efforts are spread across at least 22 different agencies, and while some US government agencies, like the MCC, have been taking bold steps to make aid more effective and accountable. The bill would ensure that all US foreign assistance is evaluated for how well it serves its purpose.But in order to make American aid truly transparent, all agencies must now deliver on the Administration’s commitment to publish to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI).

It is too hard for American taxpayers and people in recipient countries to see where aid dollars are going and how well they are being spent. Greater aid transparency and accountability for results helps people in developing countries do more to lead their own development, and use US help more effectively to solve poverty challenges.