Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced last week the Strategy and Effectiveness of Foreign Policy and Assistance Act of 2009 (H.R. 2387), a bill to require the use of long-term strategies for United States national security, diplomacy, and foreign assistance and the full use of performance-based budgeting for foreign assistance programs, projects, and activities.

At a May 13 hearing, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, challenged Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Jack Lew over funding increases proposed for State in President Obama’s FY 2010 budget submission.  The bill provides the following the rationale for the legislation: