Representatives Eliot Engel (NY-16), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Adam Smith (WA-09), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Bill Keating (MA-09), and Francis Rooney (FL-19) and Senators Chris Coons (DE), Lindsey Graham (SC), Jeff Merkley (OR), Marco Rubio (FL), and Todd Young (IN) have introduced the Global Fragility Act (H.R.2116, S.727).
The legislation would:
1. Protect U.S. national security:
Violence allows for environments in which terrorist organizations recruit and thrive. By addressing the root causes of violent conflict, this legislation limits the need for costly military interventions and ultimately protects U.S. national security.
2. Provide critical funds:
In 2016 only 2 percent of all international development assistance to fragile countries was dedicated to conflict prevention. The Global Fragility Act repurposes existing funds to help prevent and reduce conflict, saving money by addressing conflict situations before a crisis emerges.
3. Break cycles of violence:
The world is experiencing a 25-year peak in violence, causing displacement which drives 80 percent of global humanitarian need. The Global Fragility Act will strengthen the effectiveness and coordination of U.S. programs designed to reduce and address the sources of violent conflict.
4. Prioritize prevention:
The United States spends billions of dollars trying to contain and stop violent conflicts after they have already broken out. The bill would ensure that preventive action is taken not only in countries with high levels of violence and fragility, but those where warning signs are beginning to appear. By prioritizing prevention, U.S. efforts will save lives.
5. Increase accountability:
The Global Fragility Act will increase the accountability of U.S. foreign assistance by requiring the administration to develop monitoring and evaluation indicators that measure the results of U.S. programs and show where aid is most likely to make a significant difference. Additionally, the legislation requires consultation with relevant congressional committees and mandates review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
