IGD has been a strong supporter of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) because of its emphasis on long-term investments that support economic growth and poverty reduction, its recognition that partner governments need to design and implement their own development strategies, and its insistence on evaluating program impact and accountability.

The overall budget situation is tight this year and Congress is eager to see the MCC disburse larger amounts of its previously approved compact funds. The administration request of $2.23 billion for FY2009, down from $3 billion in FY2008, reflects the reality that Congress is likely to fund a lower amount when there are so many other competing demands within the international affairs budget.

IGD ACTIONS

In June IGD joined a group of NGOs, development policy experts and administration officials in speaking out against a $525 million cut to the MCC.
Read IGD's letter of support.
Read the MCC's news release.

In May IGD circulated a letter reiterating our support for the MCC and calling for full funding of the administration’s budget request.

IGD hosted a Speaker Series event in Indianapolis in March, with MCC CEO John Danilovich, to give IGD partners the opportunity to learn more about the progress MCC has made and the lessons it has learned in negotiating its first 16 compacts. IGD Board member Tim Solso and co-founder Bill Ruckelshaus placed an op-ed in the Indianapolis Star on the importance of MCC.

In 2007 IGD and 11 of its member companies joined with members of the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in an advertisement in Roll Call magazine supporting full funding for the MCC.

Earlier that year IGD members expressed their belief in the promise of the MCC by signing letters to the House of Representatives and to the Senate, urging adequate funding.