PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE November 30, 2012 WASHINGTON UPDATE

Oxfam America took to the Hill the week before Thanksgiving with a giant inflatable duck and cutouts of some key members of Congress, emphasizing the message that cutting lifesaving foreign aid is lame. foreign This stunt was part of Oxfams broader campaign to protect foreign assistance from disproportionate cuts during budget negotiations. Other InterAction members have also launched campaigns around foreign assistance funding this fall. Photo: Caitlin Carr, InterAction. Lame Duck As the lame duck session continues, we have heard conflicting reports as to whether congressional negotiators have completed the FY 13 Agriculture and State and FY2013 Foreign Operations Appropriations bills. Some reports indicate the negotiations have ndicate been completed, while others say negotiations are still ongoing. Either way, it remains to be seen if the bills will be brought to the floor of either chamber. Simultaneously, negotiations continue on the fiscal cliff. There has been a good deal of posturing about fixes, but so far, there are no concrete details about any deals. Leadership and Committee Changes 1

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has previously announced her intention to step down at the end of President Obamas first term, but has not yet made any formal statements regarding the timing of her departure. This has led some to believe she may stay on through the beginning of the presidents second term in order to deal with the fallout from the four U.S. officials killed in September in Benghazi, Libya. This speculation only intensified this week when Ambassador Susan Rice, who many believe could replace Clinton, but whose role in explaining the Benghazi incident has riled some on Capitol Hill, failed to sway key Republican senators to support her candidacy for the position. The administration may therefore wait until the Benghazi situation has cleared up before attempting to nominate Ambassador Rice, or they may choose to go with another candidate, such as Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) or National Security Advisor Tom Donilon. There have also been a number of shakeups on Capitol Hill. On the House Foreign Affairs Committee, term limits will force Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) to step down as chairman, and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) has won election to replace her in the role. On the Democratic side, Ranking Member Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) lost his reelection bid to Rep. Brad Sherman (CA) after they were redistricted together. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) is poised to replace Rep. Berman as ranking member. Del. Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) had stated his intention to run for the position, but withdrew himself from the race on Wednesday. There will also be a number of more junior faces on the committee, since nearly half the Republicans on the committee (10 of 26) are not returning for the next Congress and, in addition to Rep. Berman, another five Democrats will not return to the committee. On the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ranking Republican Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) was defeated for his reelection and will likely be replaced by Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). On the Democratic side, Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) may become Secretary of State (see above), which would lead to a reshuffle that could lead to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) or Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) receiving the gavel. Boxer, as chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, would likely choose to keep that gavel and pass SFRC to Menendez. The House Appropriations Committee will see some changes as well. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) will remain chairman, but on the Democratic side, the ranking member, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) is retiring, and both Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) are seeking to fill that slot. Kaptur has seniority but may not have support of top Democrats, so many analysts believe Lowey could get the nod, despite being more junior. On the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) will remain chair and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) is likely to remain ranking member, though that may change if she wins the top Democratic slot on the full committee. On the Republican side of the subcommittee, Reps. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and Steve Austria (R-OH) are retiring; on the Democratic side, Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) was defeated and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) has announced his resignation, leaving Lowey and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as the only Democrats on the subcommittee until new members are appointed early next year.

On the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) will stay on as chairman, but Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS) will have to step down due to term limits; he will be replaced by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). On the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Senators Patrick Leahy (DVT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will stay on as chairman and ranking member, respectively. UPCOMING HEARINGS

Hearing: Terrorist Exploitation of Refugee Programs Committee: House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Witnesses: To be announced When: Tuesday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. Where: 311 Cannon House Office Building Contact: 202-226-8417 Hearing: Assessing Developments in Mali: Restoring Democracy and Reclaiming the North Committee: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations- Subcommittee on African Affairs Panel One Witnesses: Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary for African affairs, USAID Earl Gast, assistant administrator for Africa, USAID Amanda Dory, deputy assistant secretary for Africa, Department of Defense Panel Two Witnesses: Christopher Fomunyoh, National Democratic Institute Corinne Dufka, Human Rights Watchs Africa Division Nii Akuetteh, independent policy researcher When: Wednesday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. Where: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building Contact: 202-224-4651

HEARING SUMMARIES Evaluating Current U.S. Global Food Security Efforts and Determining Future U.S. Leadership Opportunities Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Economic Protection Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Witnesses: Panel 1: Tjada McKenna, deputy coordinator for development for Feed the Future Bureau for Food Security, USAID Jonathan Shrier, acting special representative for global good security, deputy coordinator for diplomacy for Feed the Future, Department of State

Panel 2: Paul OBrien, Oxfam America Conor Walsh, Catholic Relief Services Dr. Connie Veillette, Global Agricultural Development Initiative, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Opening Statements: Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) Acknowledgment of Sen. Lugars dedication and contribution. Progress has been made over the past several years: o Last year statistics indicated 1 billion people hungry, today the statistics are at 870 million. A commitment to poverty reduction and food security requires a multitude of factors: o Alignment among governments, civil society and private sector; o Commitment to gender integration; o Capitalizing on technological advances; and o A focus on land reform and water management. It is important to ensure that investments are not made at the expense of small farmers. It is not just about quantity of food, but also its quality; nutrition is key: o The 1,000 Days initiative tackles issue of nutrition from start of pregnancy to childs 2nd birthday. Investing in agriculture and nutrition is investing in growth. Must build resiliency and sustainability, as is done through Feed the Future (FtF). Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) (Ranking Member of Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Committee) It is crucial to address shortcomings in agricultural productivity and marketing: 4

10,000 people die each day due to causes related to malnutrition; Hunger has capacity to create political instability and conflict; Agricultural productivity is not advancing fast enough to population growth, water scarcity and climate change; o This is an opportunity for economic and foreign policy. It is time to evaluate and examine next steps for FtF: o How efforts have helped build the capacity of small holder farmers; o What support small holder farmers are receiving from their governments; o Whether or not FtF is sufficiently engaging U.S. farmers and research institutions o o o

Panel 1 Opening Statements: Tjada McKenna FtF Progress Scorecard highlights major accomplishments, including: o 9 million children received better nutrition; o 6.6 million people experienced improved agricultural productivity. There are still challenges to be tackled: o 870 million people hungry, 98 percent are in developing countries; o 2007-2008 food price increases indicate it is time to do things differently o Fewer resources to work with; o Interagency collaboration; o Population growth; o Climate change; o The time to act is now. U.S. government commitment has leveraged $18 billion for the cause from other donors. Growth in agriculture is twice as effective in tackling poverty as any other sector. There are five major areas of focus: o Collaboration among agencies, governments, civil society, private sector; In 2011, five out of 10 interagency partners joined in the efforts; o Womens inclusion and empowerment; o Research and encouraging equity and sustainability; and o Accountability. Jonathan Shrier President Obama and Secretary Clinton have prioritized the issue of food security o 2010 launch of 1,000 Days at the UN General Assembly; o 2011 Clinton highlighted the role of women in agriculture; o U.S. has met $3.5 billion pledge. Food security diplomacy ensures alignment and change: o Ensures that leaders are on board with the efforts; o Helps to promote policy change; o Fosters collaboration with civil society. Work is being done with strategic partners: 5

New agreements with Brazil to expand collaboration to Haiti and Honduras. 2012 marked a new commitment with a $1 billion dollar pledge by InterAction and its members. Donors have agreed to provide more detailed information on their efforts. Diplomacy is helping to guide negotiations of UN Committee on World Food Security. o

Panel 1 Questioning: Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) 1. It is disappointing that there has not been success in naming/keeping coordinator and deputy coordinator for FtF. Also, the progress report did not identify challenges and areas where progress can be made. Where is congressional attention needed? McKenna: o The progress report does identify successes, but there is a section dedicated to lessons learned and what lies ahead, and it includes next steps. o Aim is to reduce poverty and improve nutrition in zones of influence. o There is recognition that there is a need for deepening of work with civil society, climate change, natural resource management and improved efforts of coordination among NGOs and governmental agencies. 2. What steps are being taken toward coordination? McKenna: o Looking at food aid assistance as having long-term goals. o Inclusion of crisis modifiers. o Promoting the commercial repertoire in Ethiopia, as an example. o Working to identify all efforts that are coordinated on the ground. 3. How is the issue of gender and women being integrated? Shrier: o Women make up a large part of the agricultural labor force, yet they do not have access to best resources. o If access is to be equalized, it can translate to an addition $1 million mouths fed. o Focus on women is integrated in FtF program. o Intensified research efforts are being launched to look into the role of women. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) 1. A key component here is partnerships with 19 focus countries. How were these countries chosen? McKenna: o They were chosen based on the level of need, amount that growth would reduce poverty and the presence of opportunities for partnership. o Funding is focused on specific areas and value chains/activities of countries. 6

2. Are negotiations and information made public? McKenna: o Yes, effort is taken to ensure the public understands and opportunities are taken to involve stakeholders in-country. 3. Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) part of the research agenda? McKenna: o There is a responsibility to bring the best information and technology that the United States has to offer. o Agenda looks at sustainability and GMOs and biotechnology are a part of a toolkit of solutions that governments are encouraged to look into when making decisions. o Support is provided for building institutions that promote research and understanding of new biotechnology. Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) 1. $3 billion private sector investment via the New Alliance is good news, but there is a concern of exclusion of civil society groups. What assurance is there that investments will be sustained? How could it be ensured that the New Alliance integrates civil society and women in its efforts? McKenna: o The private sector is offering a long-term commitment. o Companies provided transparency via letters of intent. o There is support and encouragement for developing a space for dialogue within countries. o There is a focus on ensuring that civil society is included on the ground. o Country Cooperation Frameworks are a tool for accountability. Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) 1. What steps are being taken to ensure that funds are not funding corrupt regimes? Shrier: o Implementing partners are a tool for ensuring money is producing real results. o Working with governments on other programs, targeting governance, for example is another tool. 2. Will you leave if corruption is apparent? McKenna: o Part of funding is dedicated to local systems and institutions, and to capacity building. Chairman Cardin urged the witnesses to follow Congress lead on transparency and to be prepared to leave a country if there is corruption. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) 1. What kind of extension programs are being developed? McKenna: o American universities are being connected to in-country extension programs. o The use of technology and ICT is being examined. o Farmer-to-farmer programs are connecting U.S. farmers to local farmers. 7

Projects through Peace Corps are also part of extension program efforts. 2. Is the problem of transportation being addressed? McKenna: o Approach is to look across whole value chains. o Partnerships such as with Pepsico in Ethiopia (increasing value of chickpeas) and with General Mills (storage) and with Purdue to implement solutions. 3. What is the role of nonemergency programs? McKenna: o FtF builds upon older nonemergency food aid programs, working with risk insurance for vulnerable areas. Shrier: o Work is done to promote trade in FtF regions by improving regulations and removing barriers to trade. o Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) 1. What is the Womens Empowerment in Agriculture Index and how has it been used? McKenna: o Index was developed with partnership with Oxford University. It looks at five factors: Womens voices in decision making Womens access to resources Adequacy of womens income Womens access to leadership roles Women labor and time collaboration o It is launching in all FtF countries and will allow for more effective targeting 2. What are examples of the index? McKenna: o A pilot study in Bangladesh has already allowed for better targeting. 3. What do you hope Congress will do to put in place strategies to further address FtFs goals? Shrier: o There is a need for sustained resources and attention, and continued backing of Congress. 4. So keeping FtF as a front burner issue? Shrier: o Yes, keeping it as a front burner issue. Panel 2 Opening Statements: Paul OBrien Oxfam is a big supporter of FtF. Three challenges need attention: o Tensions between Congress desire to track funding and allowing leaders to lead; o The role of the private sector and ensuring proper management of land issues; and 8

o Climate change. Challenge of allowing leaders to lead: o Governments and communities must engage in sustainable solutions; o Difference between listening to communities and actually hearing what they have to say; o People in the field do not feel that they exercise enough influence; and o There are corrupt people in each of the 19 countries, but there are also people who are passionate about the issue and would benefit from exercising their leadership. FtF can be a leader on land issues: o FtF can move discussion around land by funding and adopting the creation and implementation of action based on FAO guidelines on land. Climate Change: o Corn production has decreased by 5 percent since 1980; o In Southern Africa, there may be a 30 percent decline in corn production; and o Technology will not be enough, there is a need for political and institutional commitment to addressing the issue.

Conor Walsh Catholic Relief Services (CRS) supports FtF and its country ownership model. Acknowledgement of the effort and accomplishments of the FtF team in Tanzania There are areas for progress: o Sharpening the focus on poor farmers; o Balancing funding instruments; and o Improving degree/quality of civil society participation. CRS works to help build poor farmers assets and skills. FtF has not focused on poorest areas or poorest farmers in Tanzania: o Risk of marginalization of most vulnerable by focusing only on certain areas; and o There is a need for more FtF projects working directly with small holder farmers, especially women. Funding mechanisms need to shift from contracts to cooperative agreements. o Cooperative agreements offer flexibility needed to respond to changes as they arise on the ground. There is a need for a more regular mechanism for obtaining feedback from civil society. Suggestion for a mapping exercise to build on previous success. Connie Veillette Issue 1 Global population is on the rise: o FtF goal should be to reduce poverty by 60 percent as opposed to 20 percent; and o All farmers will need to be involved to tackle the issue. Issue 2 Demand for a more protein-rich diet. Issue 3 Climate change. Famers need to cultivate more and more efficiently.

There is a need to prioritize science, welcome private sector and encourage trade flows. Businesses need to be confident that they are entering into a stable environment.

Panel 2 Questioning: Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) 1. What are major obstacles to advances presented in the testimonies? OBrien: o NGO community has a diversity of opinions and the key challenge for FtF is to take smart risks to invest in local institutions. o There is a need for thoughtful leadership in Congress and also for letting in-country leaders lead. Walsh: o The assumption that by boosting food production in certain areas, production throughout an entire country is improved is false; output does not mean positive effect is reaching those in need. Veillette: o We still do not know the full effects of climate change, but it is certain that there are changes in crop yield patters and proper action, such as securing an open trade system that addresses potential price volatility, is necessary. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) 1. Even though equity is the focus, consideration must be given to politics, as in the case of Chinas land action in Africa and Russia. Mentioned his own corn crops that were almost entirely wiped out and the role that climate change may have played in that. Also reiterated the importance of focusing on small farmers who are uninsured, yet still facing all the pressures mentioned in the testimony. A goal of a 20 percent increase is pretty low base. OBrien: o Oxfam has invested in microinsurance. o There is a need for a proper regulatory regime, institutional infrastructure, transparency and better governance. Walsh: o FtF needs to place climate change far more at the center of its efforts. o Climate change is getting sidelined and is not really getting funded or addressed the way it needs to be. o Need for mitigation and the use of technology, which in a lot of cases already exists and just needs to be rolled out. Veillette: o FtF needs to focus on governances issues that can promote growth of business investments, including land titling and tenure. o There needs to be a focus on trade regimes as well as on harmonizing and standardizing advances in science and technology.

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ARTICLES AND REPORTS CNN Nov. 22: Analysis: Conflict shifts balance of power in the Middle East The recent Israel-Gaza conflict has led to a shift in power dynamics in the Middle East. Further, the role that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi played in brokering a cease-fire has given him political credibility in the midst of uncertainty in his own country. Al-Jazeera Nov. 26: Qatar hosts 'critical' climate talks The 18th UN climate change conference, COP18, has begun in Doha, Qatar. Discussions of equity and cooperation between wealthy and developing countries with regards to climate change response and carbon permits are at the top of the agenda. An examination of a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol is also expected. Reuters Nov. 27: Congo rebels set conditions for Goma withdrawal The M23 rebel group has conditionally agreed to withdraw from Goma, Congo, after talks coordinated by Uganda. Among these conditions are the release of prisoners, the dissolution of the Electoral Commission, and national talks with Kabila. Congos government spokesman disregarded the demands, labeling them a farce. So far there have been no signs of withdrawal. Reuters Nov. 27: With "fiscal cliff" deadline nearing, parties still at odds Negotiations between the House and Senate over the fiscal cliff remain at a standstill. Tax increases on Americas wealthy continues to be one of the key points of disagreement. If a deal is not reached before the end of the year, significant tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts will be enacted in 2013. Reuters Nov. 27: Clinton keeps up U.S. pressure over Egypt's political crisis Last week, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued an overarching decree on his powers, which has led to instability that could jeapordize funding for Egypt, including a U.S. $1 billion debt relief package and an IMF $4.8 billion loan. In a conversation with the Egyptian foreign minister, Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of a democratic solution.

Disclaimer: Articles linked in the Update are intended to provide a dashboard view of newsworthy and topical issues from popular news outlets that will be of interest to readers of the Update. The articles are an information sharing vehicle rather than an advocacy tool. They are in no way representative of the views of InterAction or the U.S. NGO community as a whole.

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