One Step Closer

Dec 9th, 2009 12:15 PM UTC
By Kara Arsenault

In other big news from the Hill, yesterday the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved (by voice vote) Dr. Rajiv Shah to be USAID Administrator. During Dr. Shah’s testimony before the Committee last week, Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry (D-MA) noted the importance of the nomination:

Today, USAID may be our last major foreign policy agency to have its leadership named, but its mission—poverty reduction and sustainable development—belongs near the top of our list of priorities. In Rajiv Shah, the Administration has chosen a nominee who values new thinking, believes in ensuring accountability, and brings an impressive record to this new challenge.

Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN) agreed with his Senate colleague:

I have met with Dr. Shah and appreciate the accomplishments and perspective that he would bring to the job of USAID Administrator. His background in the medical field and as a leader at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would contribute to his embrace of innovative approaches to development. His tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture demonstrates his ability to lead new initiatives in research and science. As the Department’s point person on Secretary Clinton’s global food security inter-agency process, he has worked to develop a coherent strategy that encompasses the efforts of a number of U.S. government agencies.

You can get an even closer look at last week’s confirmation hearing here.

A full Senate vote on Dr. Shah’s nomination is expected next week. We’ll keep you posted as more news develops!

TAGS: Policy News, USAID