President Joseph Boakai’s administration has made huge allocation to the Legislature in the tone of $1.57 million in the national budget for modernization of that august body, marking the first substantial institutional investment since the adoption of the Legislative Modernization Plan in 2009.
The move follows years of inaction and neglect leading to the U.S. suspending support to Liberian Legislature in 2013 due to the legislature’s failure to take ownership of its modernization programs.
The country has been reliant on depended on international partners to sponsor its plan and programs.
Now, government through the Joint Legislative Budget Committee secured $1.57 million in the 2026 National Budget to undertake critical modernization and reform programs.
The funding will enable the legislature to have a digital repository, website, installation of cameras and mounting of wall-televisions in strategic locations for members’ constituents’ viewing when plenary deliberations are held.
This marks the first significant government-funded modernization effort under the management of the joint services modernization committee, since the legislature adopted its modernization plan in 2009.
For nearly two decades, appropriations were minimal—often around $50,000, very insufficient for meaningful modernization undertakings, when compensation is removed for personnel performing secretariat work.
The lack of ownership drew international criticism. In 2013, then-U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac suspended American support after a USAID evaluation found legislators unwilling to commit resources to modernization, viewing reforms as externally driven.
This 55th Legislature comprising of the Senate and House have availed themselves for systems audits by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), an unprecedented action, long urged by international partners and craved for, by Liberians.
Observers note that modernization must be sustained, not episodic. While the $1.57 million allocation is a milestone, its impact will depend on implementation, measurable outcomes, and institutional reforms.
Supporters remain cautiously optimistic that Liberia’s Legislature is finally embracing ownership of its modernization agenda.
The Director of the Legislative Information Service (LIS), McCarthy Weh has commended the leadership of the 55th Legislature for its commitment to modernization, reform, transparency, accountability and accessibility.
He expressed cautious optimism, that should such appropriation be made up to the end of this current legislature, the first branch will by far be modernized, transformed and reformed.
