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During a special sitting on September 8th, the Senate passed three Bills tied to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), through which the Government of Belize will receive a US$125 million grant. The Bills had to pass by September 18th for Belize to access the funding. The MCC program aims to reduce poverty and promote economic growth by supporting major improvements in education and energy.
The legislative measures included the MCC Belize Authority (Amendment) Bill, the Education Bill, 2026, and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Bill, 2026. Together, the Bills establish the legal and institutional framework needed to access and implement the funding. They will also allow the government to introduce major education and workforce development reforms under the MCC program.
Although the grant is expected to benefit Belizeans, several opposition and independent senators raised concerns about how quickly the Bills were being passed. Union Senator Glenfield Dennison acknowledged the assistance the US$125 million grant would provide but called for further discussion, particularly on the Education Bill.
“I recommend that in 10 days we meet in committee, we pass our amendments, including the one that is envisioned by the Minister of Education, and we send it back to the House so they can have a House meeting before the 18th,” he said. “That’s what ought to have occurred, but we do not have time, and we need the money, and we have to do it and just pass it blind. I won’t vote for it.”
Churches Senator Louis Wade Jr. also described the request as difficult. “This is a big ask, coming with the energy, experience, education, having spent about 75 active hours, to get a request that says pass it with the amendment of the Lower House but hold your amendments until after September 18th,” he said. “I hope this is the first and last time that such an ask be made. If we want $125 million, then we need to do things the right way, expeditiously. So, the ask will be granted, but I think it needs to be clear that it is a very difficult ask.”
When it was time to vote, Senator Dennison requested a division. Of the 13 votes cast, ten were in favor of the Bills, while three senators abstained. Among the independent senators, Wade was the only one to vote in favor. United Democratic Party Senator Gabriel Zetina, who represents Belize Rural South, which includes Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, also said he supported the Bills.
After their passage, Leader of Government Business Senator Eamon Courtenay told the Senate the Bills would later be opened for further debate and amendments.
“We are all acting in good faith in a difficult situation, in the public interest and the national interest of Belize,” Courtenay said. “As I indicated to my colleagues, when the Bill comes to the Senate, it is the entire Bill that will be opened for debate.”