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Bipartisan House Democracy Partnership Commission Applauds the Senate Confirmation of Michelle A. Bekkering (USAID)

December 20, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20, 2019) – Today, Chairman David Price (D-NC) and Co-Chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL) of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), applauded the Senate confirmation of Michelle A. Bekkering as Assistant Administrator for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3) at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Before joining USAID, Ms. Bekkering served as the Director of Governance for the International Republican Institute (IRI). In her role, she was integral in implementing all HDP programs on behalf of IRI. In her newly Senate confirmed role at USAID, Assistant Administrator Bekkering will oversee USAID's role in HDP through the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI).

Chairman Price and Co-Chair Buchanan welcomed the Senate's confirmation of Assistant Administrator Bekkering's new role:

"We've worked with Michelle through the House Democracy Partnership for many years and are confident in her ability to assume this role as a champion for strengthening democracy worldwide. As Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Economic Growth, Education, and Environment, Ms. Bekkering also served as the Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, and ably led a range of successful initiatives, including leading the W20 delegation on several occasions. Given her extensive background and tireless work ethic, we are confident that she will excel in this new role at USAID."

House Democracy Partnership Background

The House Democracy Partnership, founded in 2005, is a bipartisan commission of the House of Representatives that works to promote responsive, effective government and strengthen democratic institutions by assisting legislatures in emerging democracies. The Partnership is assisted by the US Agency for International Development, the International Republican Institute, and the National Democratic Institute.