Global Development Lab Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Engel for yielding me this time and for his support of this legislation. He, Chairman Royce, as well as their staff members have been terrific partners in moving this bill forward.

I also want to say a big thank you to my fellow Texan, Representative Mike McCaul, for being the lead Republican cosponsor of this legislation, which aims to make our foreign aid efforts more impactful and cost-efficient.

Created in 2014 through the streamlining and merging of two offices, USAID'S Global Development Lab is spearheading a new approach that supports the invention, testing, and utilization of more cost-efficient solutions to development challenges.

The Lab collaborates with entrepreneurs, corporations, NGOs, universities, and science and research institutions to solve some of the world's most difficult development challenges faster, more cheaply, and more sustainably.

Essentially, the Lab democratizes problem solving by crowdsourcing ideas and applications to find the best solutions from around the world. For example, the Lab has used what it calls Grand Challenges for Development to incentivize problem solvers to develop solutions for specific problems.

The Saving Lives at Birth Grand Challenge led to the creation of the Pratt Pouch, a small ketchup packet-like pouch filled with medication that women can use in rural areas to prevent birth-related HIV infections. Other Grand Challenges have led to the development of breakthrough products that keep healthcare workers treating Ebola patients safe, desalinate water in an environmentally sustainable manner, and bring electricity to folks living off the electrical grid in Africa.

The Lab also partners with outside entities, such as universities, to cultivate solutions to specific development challenges ranging from health and food insecurity to chronic conflict. Participating institutions equally match USAID's funding and leverage additional resources from private foundations.

The legislation before us today formally authorizes the U.S. Global Development Lab within USAID and provides new legislative authorities to augment the Lab's current capabilities, allowing the initiative to achieve greater results and maximize its impact.

The bill allows the Lab to use a pay-for-success model and tap into good ideas, no matter their source; bring in term-limited technical experts in a more cost-effective manner; and gain the flexibility to use program income more effectively.

In conclusion, Congress can be proud of the work that the Lab is currently doing and will continue to pursue once we authorize it and provide proper oversight.

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