Domestic Groups’ Testimonies at US Foreign Aid Hearings from 1980 to 2020: Findings from a New Dataset

Abstract How has the composition of domestic groups testifying before Congress on foreign aid changed over time? In what ways have the main themes of their speeches changed? At US congressional hearings, numerous external groups have expressed their views and positions on aid issues, with some repeatedly invited to testify to multiple committees across many years. However, there is a lack of data on this representation to show how domestic politics have influenced donor's aid decision-making process. I present new findings on the evolution of the aid topics discussed by witnesses representing NGOs, private enterprises, and research experts based on their combined total of 1,656 testimonies given to 31 committees at 325 relevant hearings from 1980 to 2020. This paper's findings shed light on the various aid demands made by different group types, offering insights into the dynamics of aid discussions in the United States over the past four decades.