Conservatives Applaud Potential Scale-Down of USAID
House conservatives are celebrating what appears to be a significant reduction in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an initiative spearheaded by President Donald Trump and entrepreneurial magnate Elon Musk.
Criticism of USAID
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., criticized USAID as a “corrupt governmental organization run by unelected bureaucrats” that primarily serves to funnel taxpayer dollars into projects favored by Democrats overseas. He spoke to Fox News Digital, expressing that “At nearly trillion in national debt – and a .8 trillion annual deficit – we can’t afford to continue giving money to countries that hate America and everything we stand for,” emphasizing a call for fiscal responsibility.
Echoing this sentiment, Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., argued that completely shutting down USAID would alleviate the national debt and relieve the burden on taxpayers. Burlison believes it would also encourage aid-dependent nations to strive for self-reliance, breaking free from what he perceives as a dependency cycle perpetuated by USAID under the guise of development.
Support for Structural Changes
The topic gained further traction during a recent episode of CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” where House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast expressed his complete support for potentially absorbing USAID into the Department of State. Mast remarked, “I would be absolutely for… removing USAID as a separate department and having it fall under one of the other parts of the Department of State because of its failure.”
Traditionally, USAID functions as an independent agency within the federal government, tasked with providing civilian foreign aid aimed at enhancing development, combating poverty and diseases, and promoting democracy around the world. However, many conservatives now argue that the agency has deviated from its fundamental mission and call for drastic cuts to its extensive budget.
A Growing Movement Against USAID
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to highlight her unsuccessful attempts to defund USAID seven months ago. “Only 81 Republicans voted ‘aye’ to my amendment to prohibit funding to USAID. In contrast, 127 Republicans and 204 Democrats voted NO to my amendment and voted to FUND USAID. I FULLY SUPPORT ELIMINATING USAID!!!” she declared, indicating a significant divide within the party on this issue.
Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., also expressed discontent over Congress’s lack of support for budget cuts to USAID, stating that his proposed amendment on the House floor to slash the agency’s budget by 50% did not garner the necessary backing from his fellow Republicans.
The Current State of USAID Operations
As the debate around USAID’s future heats up, reports surfaced over the weekend that indicate substantial operational changes within the agency. Sources disclosed that around fifty senior USAID staff members have been placed on administrative leave, and employees have been restricted from communicating externally without prior approval. Additionally, the computer systems of USAID now reportedly fall under the purview of Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
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Democratic Pushback
However, the conservative movement to downsize or dismantle USAID has not gone unchallenged. Democrats have vehemently criticized the ongoing crackdown on the agency, particularly noting the controversial role of Musk, an unelected billionaire and ally of Trump. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, voiced her concerns on X, asserting, “Agency watchdogs track down waste, fraud and abuse. Trump fired them all. The Government Accountability Office monitors federal spending. What Elon Musk is doing isn’t oversight. An unaccountable billionaire doesn’t have the power to cancel spending he disagrees with.”
Rep. Diane DeGette, D-Colo., added to the critique, stating that USAID is essential for advancing U.S. national security interests, delivering humanitarian aid, and bolstering global stability. “Musk is an unelected billionaire with no authority to make these decisions. This isn’t governance; it’s authoritarianism,” she remarked.
Conclusion
As the debate around USAID continues to unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that the future of the agency hangs in the balance. With conservatives rallying for significant changes and Democrats standing firm in their defense of its operations, the outcome will likely be a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign aid policy.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report
