Borgen Project

How to use this page: Here, you’ll find our legislative priorities for the 119th Congress (2025-2026). The first link under each issue contains a downloadable document that gives an overview of each bill. The other links will provide additional data, analysis and instructions on how to email Congress. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email policy@borgenproject.org.

Top Legislative Priorities

International Affairs Budget

The United States is safer, stronger and more prosperous as a result of our life-saving investments in diplomacy and development. Foreign assistance is a strategic tool that supports U.S. global leadership, bolsters national security, promotes economic opportunity and reflects American values. Yet, the recent rescission package slashed over $8 billion from previously approved international funding—undermining critical programs and progress. When these rescissions are included, the Administration’s FY26 budget proposal amounts to a draconian 85% cut to foreign aid. The positive news is that Congress holds the purse strings, creating a vital opportunity for lawmakers and advocates to push back on these proposals and safeguard America’s commitment to foreign assistance.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter. Please oppose cuts to the International Affairs Budget in FY26.”

 

Global Fragility Reauthorization Act

The Issue: Violence, instability and fragility in countries around the world threaten U.S. national security by creating environments in which terrorism, criminal activity and corruption thrive. Violent conflict is also driving global displacement and humanitarian crises, with 117 million people forcibly displaced globally and 300 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024.

The Solution: On December 20, 2019, the Global Fragility Act was signed into law. The bill focuses U.S. diplomatic, development and security efforts on preventing the root causes of violence and instability in countries worldwide by applying a whole-of-government and locally-led approach to target the root causes of fragility, such as extreme poverty, lack of economic opportunity and weak governance. The Global Fragility Act required 10-year strategies to address or prevent conflict in five different priority contexts: Haiti, Mozambique, Libya, Papua New Guinea and Coastal West Africa. It also authorized the Prevention and Stabilization Fund (PSF) and the Complex Crises Fund (CCF) to catalyze additional funding toward these efforts. 

Passed Legislation in the 117th Congress (2021-2022)

Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act

Passed! Great work!

The Issue: Globally, 690 million people are undernourished including women and children. More specifically, women and expectant mothers’ nutrition is unacceptably low in the most vulnerable countries due to various factors, such as limitations to food access and gender inequality. All the while, 1 in 5 children suffers from malnutrition.

The Solution: In order to create lasting global change, it is essential to invest not only in education, health and economic empowerment, but to curb world hunger and malnutrition, especially for women and children. Improving women’s nutrition is imperative to ending malnutrition in all its forms. Providing these services and programs allows children the opportunity to contribute to their communities and become productive members of society in the future. Furthermore, for every $1 invested in global nutrition, there is an estimated $35 in economic return.

Global Food Security Reauthorization Act

Passed! Great work!

The Issue: In 2018, more than 795 million people globally suffered from chronic hunger. Unfortunately, the economic impact of COVID-19, conflict and extreme weather events are driving even greater hunger in 2022. Today, 828 million people are going to bed hungry and over 34 million people in 14 countries are facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.

The Solution: The Global Food Security Reauthorization Act reauthorizes the Global Food Security Act and Feed the Future Initiative through Fiscal Year 2028. By sharing U.S. expertise in agriculture development and supporting programs that work in partnership with small farmers, progress continues in tackling hunger and malnutrition under the Feed the Future Initiative. This program helps families lift themselves out of poverty in order to access more nutritious food, education and proper healthcare.

View Recent Bills that Passed