WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement regarding President Obama’s nomination of Gayle Smith as USAID Administrator.

“I welcome President Obama’s nomination of Gayle Smith for Administrator of USAID and urge my Senate colleagues to confirm her without delay. Ms. Smith has an impressive background and is well known in international development circles. Her life’s work and vision of addressing challenges in international development and global humanitarian issues are sure to bolster USAID’s mission and complement the excellent work of outgoing Administrator Dr. Raj Shah. I am confident that Ms. Smith is the right person to lead America’s international development efforts and I look forward to working with her following her confirmation. “

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