Schatz, Shaheen Lead Colleagues in Condemning the Permanent Elimination of USAID

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, alongside Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to ‘transition’ USAID into the State Department:

“After months of empty promises to protect lifesaving assistance programs, support key national security interests and consult with Congress about the so called ‘90-day review’ of foreign assistance, the Trump Administration has notified Congress of their plan to fold USAID into the State Department. However, this process was clearly not meant to be a thoughtful review, and this administration has failed to recognize that consulting with Congress is not a suggestion—it is required by law. 

“Trump Administration officials, including Peter Marocco and Ken Jackson, have been unable to answer basic questions about which programs have been terminated, how the waivers for ‘lifesaving assistance’ are being implemented or how these actions will impact our national security—and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has continued to ignore requests to appear before the Senate to explain and defend this review. 

“We will not stand by silently as President Trump dismantles American leadership and takes a wrecking ball to U.S. institutions. The administration’s plan to permanently dismantle USAID and fire all of its employees will not only render it impossible for any retained USAID programs to be implemented, but the burden placed on the State Department will cause significant disruption to its core mission. This proposal is illegal, dangerous and inefficient. The American public deserves answers, and we demand them.”

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