Statement of Sen. Richard G. Lugar (Ret.) on the Nomination of Gayle Smith as the Next Administrator of USAID

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Our Work

April 30, 2015

I was pleased to learn from the White House today that the President will nominate Gayle Smith, currently a Senior Director at the National Security Council, as the next Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Smith’s experience and expertise in both international development and in reforming aid to strengthen its impact make her an excellent selection for this important post.

In an op-ed I penned late last year, I urged the President to take swift action in nominating the next Administrator so that the nation and the world may continue to benefit from the vital role that development plays in our foreign policy and national security priorities. I also emphasized the importance of a strong leader at the top of the agency to continue the challenging and vital work of development. A respected leader in the community with the know-how to get things done within the Administration, Gayle Smith is an outstanding choice to lead the agency for the remainder of the Obama Administration.