In recent months, global development policymaking has stood out in the American political landscape — because, unlike many other kinds of policymaking, it has actually happened.
Lawmakers from both parties have found uncommon success reaching compromise and overcoming Capitol Hill’s infamous gridlock to sponsor and pass development-related bills on energy, agriculture, the internet, and a range of other issues related to global health and poverty.
But as the presidential election draws nearer and as a bitter campaign enters its final, frenzied stretch, can that spirit of bipartisan cooperation hold together? Many in the aid community are holding their breath and hoping that the political forces unleashed in this election cycle don’t erode the foundations of this surprising bipartisan success story.