WASHINGTON, D.C. — Though some have characterized Congress as unable to accomplish anything in recent months, foreign aid efforts have proved otherwise over the last decade.

In March of 2015, Americans’ approval rate of Congress hit 22 percent in a study released by Pew Research Center. Though it fluctuates, Americans expressing a favorable opinion of Congress have remained below 30 percent for the last three years.

Gallup places the number even lower. According to their research, in November of 2015, Congress’ approval rating hit a mere 11 percent of Americans. Those interviewed by Gallup cited their disapproval of Congress over lawmakers who are corrupt, out of touch and supportive of special interests.

Many more Americans are left frustrated by partisan gridlock that has already lead to a government shutdown in 2013 and threatened to do it again over budget battles.

However, what is often overlooked is Congress’ work regarding global poverty-relief legislation. Just in the past year, Congress passed a variety of successful bills aimed at helping the world’s poor: the Global Food Security Act, the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, the Electrify Africa Act, the Girls Count Act and the Water for the World Act.

Feed the Future, an American program part of the Global Food Security Act, is aimed at helping people in developing nations find food. In just a year, the Act has provided 9 million farmers with training and some 18 million children with food support while they receive an education.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle have labored to make this happened. The Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, for example, was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX-2) and Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) with coordination through the administration of President Obama.

Despite their ideological differences, both parties have also included mention of foreign aid in their platforms this presidential election season.

Much of this aid focuses on creating a higher standard of life for people living overseas. With additional purchasing power, these countries form a new market for U.S. exports. For example, the U.S. increased its exports to Tanzania by 549 percent between 2003 and 2013 to $420 million.

By focusing on the growth of the private sector’s exports as well as providing humanitarian assistance, congressional representatives from many ideological backgrounds can rally behind aid legislation.

Additional success has come from backing transparency in aid bills. Political representatives of any persuasion can get behind the need for additional transparency to provide U.S. taxpayers and government officials with information about how and when aid is needed and used.

Realizing the lessons from the recent success of foreign aid measures is critical to the future where the international community will face new challenges resulting from climate change. By focusing foreign aid legislation on areas of agreement, additional support can find its way to developing nations.

– Will Sweger

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