Bush Urges Congress To Double U.S. Aid to Africa

Since taking office in 2001, the Bush administration has doubled U.S. aid to Africa in a move viewed as the single largest development undertaking since the reconstruction of postwar Europe under the Marshall Plan.

But before leaving office, President Bush would like to see U.S. aid to the continent doubled again.

“Congress needs to make America's commitment clear by fully and promptly funding our development programs, and presidential candidates of both parties should make clear that engagement with Africa will be an enduring priority of the United States,” Bush said in a February 26 speech, following his six-day, five-nation tour of Africa. more