U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s (R-KY) proposed measure to fight corruption at the World Bank passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday and now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
“The World Bank Accountability Act of 2017, which I introduced and the House passed [on Jan. 17], makes our future contributions to the Bank conditional on reforms that will help better fight poverty, uphold human rights and democracy, prevent the flow of funds to corrupt governments and those who support terrorism, and improve oversight and accountability,” Rep. Barr said in a statement released the same day.
If enacted, the World Bank Accountability Act, H.R. 3326, would hold back future U.S. appropriations for the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) pending U.S. Treasury secretary confirmation that certain conditions had been met, with the exception of funding to support basic human needs, according to the bill text.
Rep. Barr addressed why his reforms are needed to steer the World Bank on the right course.
“Giving the World Bank a blank check from U.S. taxpayers has enabled the poverty-fighting organization to lose its way,” the congressman said.
House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) praised members of the House for taking action to improve accountability and end corruption at IDA.
“We must make sure that our contributions to the IDA empower the individuals in the world’s poorest nations, not reward corruption,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said in a Jan. 17 statement released by House Republicans. “I would like to thank Rep. Andy Barr for his leadership on this legislation, and I’m grateful to see the House pass it on a bipartisan basis.”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration.