By Trevor Norton, Timel Rodriguez, and Marzieh Kazemi

Abstract: This study examines the domestic factors influencing U.S. foreign aid disbursements, the largest global donor. We challenge existing theories that emphasize domestic political influences, such as partisanship and economic conditions, by replicating and extending the study by Tingley (2010). Unlike previous research focusing on aid effectiveness or recipient selection, we analyze how the U.S. domestic political and economic environment impacts foreign aid. Using a time-series dataset (1990-2018), we find no significant support for the hypothesis that domestic political factors, such as partisanship and legislative polarization, influence aid disbursements. These findings suggest that trade dynamics and international relations play a more significant role in U.S. foreign aid disbursements than previously thought. Future research should explore aid commitments and the impact of major geopolitical events to better understand the complexities of foreign aid distribution.