Policy research and thought leadership
Aid on the Hill delivers expert-based insights and policy recommendations to make U.S. international assistance easier to understand and act on. We clarify complex issues so advocates and policymakers can communicate with accuracy and confidence.
Talking points and legislative analyses
Our talking points break down why U.S. international assistance matters for Americans, and how to communicate that in conversations, meetings, and emails.
Our evergreen talking points:
Foreign assistance
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National security
Unstable states become footholds for authoritarian regimes, armed conflict and wars, and terrorist groups. Creating more stability ultimately keeps Americans safer, at home and abroad.
Soft power
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Smart power
International assistance is America's soft power machine. Every dollar invested pays dividends in stability, partnerships, and global goodwill. Trust and goodwill lead to political alliances, economic partnerships, and improved safety for Americans at home and abroad.
Economic development today
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Market access tomorrow
If we want to win the competition for the 21st-century global economy, we need an independent development agency at the table helping countries create strong markets that can grow the global economy and trade with American companies.
Case studies
These short briefs provide specific examples of U.S. international assistance, its impact around the world, and trends that are currently shaping the future of American foreign policy.
Foreign Assistance Cuts Undermine Efforts to Curb Migration to the U.S.
U.S. assistance in Central America helped people build safer, more stable lives at home, addressing the root causes of migration before people are forced to leave. Abandoning these programs is short-sighted, weakens our borders, increases long-term taxpayer costs, and creates space for global adversaries to fill the void.
Securing PEPFAR’s Future: Safeguarding Global HIV Impact Amid USAID Transition
PEPFAR, a bipartisan foreign policy achievement that has prevented 26 million deaths, is under severe threat. Sustaining PEPFAR’s achievements requires effective management and an integrated approach to global health, which risk being lost in a poorly planned transition.
Legislative analyses
We study current legislation and policy proposals to understand how they may affect international development programs. These analyses help readers follow important changes in Congress and understand their possible effects.
Centering Country Ownership of Health Systems: A Response to the America First Global Health Strategy
This brief warns that the new U.S. global health strategy is too narrow, risks fragmentation, lacks local capacity, and overlooks primary care, sustainability, and broader systems needed for effective, country-owned health outcomes.
Reauthorization of the BUILD Act is a positive step forward for U.S. foreign policy and assistance
Reauthorizing the BUILD Act boosts the DFC’s role in global development, but gaps in staffing, oversight, and the loss of USAID support threaten its effectiveness. The Senate version addresses these issues more clearly than the House bill.