Sign On in Support of the BUILD Act and Jobs

From ONE (http://www.one.org):

American businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors are some of the most successful in the world. Imagine the impact they can have on a developing economy. But right now, too many of them are on the sidelines. The BUILD Act (S 2463/HR 5105) was just introduced in Congress to help bring them into this fight with us.

The simple truth is: the best tool for fighting poverty is a job.

And right now, there are a lot of American entrepreneurs and investors who want to do business in developing and fragile countries — places where new jobs and stronger economic development could make a huge difference — but can’t get the loans or insurance they need in order to do it. The BUILD Act would help create jobs in Africa by helping American entrepreneurs do business there.

ONE members worked so hard to pass the Electrify Africa Act a few years ago to empower people living in extreme poverty, and the BUILD Act is the next step for us on that journey. Both bills are rooted in partnership with the private sector, and designed to create sustainable, mutually beneficial opportunities for progress.

This is also why the BUILD Act is bringing Republicans and Democrats together on Capitol Hill. It was introduced by Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Representatives Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.). It says a lot about the importance of this legislation that they’ve teamed up.

BUILD Act petition deliveries are happening NOW.  Please join with your support by signing the petition at https://act.one.org/sign/build-act-petition/.

In the long-term, the BUILD Act would create employment opportunities by mobilizing private-sector investments to support sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in low- and lower-middle income countries.  Once on its feet, the new development finance corporation will be self-sustaining and is expected to return money to the U.S. Treasury every year.

In all there are over 460 different congressional offices that will receive petitions deliveries. And just this week the House of Representatives passed the bill – now on to the Senate!