Obama Taps Africa Expert as USAID Chief

President Barack Obama on Thursday tapped veteran Africa expert Gayle Smith to head the U.S. Agency for International Development, which manages $20 billion of taxpayer money.

"I've worked closely with Gayle for nearly a decade," Obama said, lauding Smith's "energy and passion."

Since 2009 Smith has been a senior adviser on Obama's National Security Council, heading up international development, humanitarian crisis response and democracy issues.

Before working at the White House, Smith lived and worked in Africa for almost 20 years as a journalist.

She has also served on the boards of Oxfam America, the Africa-America Institute, USA for Africa, the National Security Network and co-founded the Enough Project against genocide.

"Gayle has my full confidence and I have no doubt that she will prove to be an outstanding leader," Obama said. "I urge the Senate to act quickly on this nomination."

The agency spearheads the U.S. government response to various events, such as the earthquake in Nepal and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Although foreign aid makes up a fraction of the U.S. government budget, it is a popular punching bag for candidates seeking domestic votes.

Republicans in particular have long complained of waste and overspending at the agency, and Smith's approval by the Senate is likely to be anything but easy.

The 2016 presidential election race is already well underway, making confirmation even more tricky.

If she wins Senate approval, Smith would replace Rajiv Shah, who was well regarded among humanitarian groups.