Borgen Project

How to use this page: Here, you’ll find our legislative priorities for the 118th Congress (2023-2024). 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 [email protected].

Top Legislative Priorities

International Affairs Budget

The International Affairs Budget supports critical development and diplomacy programs globally. Programs funded by the International Affairs Budget create U.S. jobs by opening new markets to American businesses and protect national security by preventing conflicts. The International Affairs Budget is an investment that staffs U.S. embassies overseas, fights pandemic disease, provides emergency response after natural disasters, implements agriculture programs to promote stability and prevent hunger, saves millions of lives with HIV/AIDS medications and provides essential good governance assistance to emerging democracies.

The Problem: Work remains to address gaps in global funding, especially in light of serious global threats, such as the war in Ukraine and global competition with China. Now more than ever, it is vital that Congress prioritize international funding and provide relief to the world’s most vulnerable communities, in turn, protecting the health and security of all Americans.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the International Affairs Budget.”

READ Act Reauthorization

The Problem: Currently, 58 million primary school-aged children globally do not attend school and 260 million do not have access to quality education. Gender discrimination in school contributes to the illiteracy of over 500 million women in adulthood as well. These issues, along with frequent global conflicts, undermine the benefits of education. More specifically, the negative secondary consequences of COVID-19 have exacerbated these barriers over the last three years.

The Solution: On Sep. 8, 2017, the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act was signed into law. The bill emphasizes the value of education for economic growth and social mobility as it promotes educational programs around the world. Through the READ Act, partnerships for educational development will have greater oversight, coordination and a renewed focus on retention. H.R.681/S.41 reauthorizes the READ Act for an additional five years.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the reauthorization of the READ Act.”

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.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the Global Fragility Reauthorization Act.”

Afghan Adjustment Act

The Problem: Over two years after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees have applied for U.S. asylum to flee conflict and injustices, but only a small fraction have been granted asylum. In addition, those already lawfully living in the U.S. through temporary humanitarian parole could lose their ability to work, health care eligibility or the ability to be reunited with their families. They could even lose their right to live in the country altogether.

The Solution: To help fulfill America’s promise to protect our allies, a clear pathway to safety for Afghan refugees is the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which will provide Afghans with access to a more streamlined and efficient lawful permanent residency process.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the Afghan Adjustment Act.”

SAFE Act

The Issue: The consequences from public health threats, worsening natural disasters and the conflict in Ukraine have been the top contributing factors to the hunger crisis. Fertile farmland and agricultural equipment have been destroyed, interrupting food production, supply, shipment and food security globally. So much so that families are having to leave their homes permanently to find enough food to feed their loved ones. In 2023, over 220 million people globally will most likely suffer from acute hunger.

The Solution: In order to create lasting global change that not only impacts the world but also creates change here at home, it is essential to invest in programs that curb hunger and malnutrition. As a global leader on the world stage with enough resources and tools to do so, the U.S. can step up to address this dire humanitarian crisis and utilize its global food aid funding in the most effective and safe ways possible.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the Securing Allies Food in Emergencies Act.”

End Tuberculosis Now Act

The Problem: The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious reminder of the detrimental effects infectious disease can have on the global population. As the world continues to deal with the negative consequences from the pandemic, there is increased concern about COVID-19’s impact on current tuberculosis (TB) control programs and the ramifications COVID-19 has had on people who have TB.  

The Solution: The End Tuberculosis Now Act significantly refocuses U.S. actions on resources to diagnose, prevent and treat TB. More specifically, it addresses virulent drug-resistant strains of TB and provides support for the latest best practices and technologies in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. 

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the End Tuberculosis Now Act.”

MINDS Act

The Issue: 1 billion people suffer from mental health conditions or substance use disorders worldwide and 75% of people living in low-and middle-income countries with mental health conditions do not receive any mental health treatment whatsoever. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the risk factors for mental health conditions globally, especially affecting children.

The Solution: Investments in mental health programs, including those focused on the well-being of children, can help break the cycle of poverty abroad. The Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act is the first bill to address mental health and psychosocial support in U.S. global development assistance.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act.

Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act

The Issue: In recent years, there has been an increased focus on community-led development within foreign assistance as well as a growing commitment to working with local partners on the ground. Throughout the last four administrations, USAID has worked to fund local organizations, however, only 10% of all USAID funding goes directly to local entities. 

The Solution: Locally-led development works to shift decision-making power to local actors. This helps to ensure aid effectiveness in a more concrete way because it takes into account local voices, cultural norms, as well as the expertise and expectations of those actually impacted. As such, U.S. foreign assistance can produce stronger, more sustainable results.

What to say when calling Congress: “Hello, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like you to support the Locally Led Development and Humanitarian Response Act.”

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