(2025-01-31) Shaheen, Shatz, Meeks, Frankel classification members: us …

WASHINGTON-Today, American senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), classification member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Brian SChatz (D-HI), classification member of the US Senate Senate Sub-Comeding, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, and Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) representatives, member of the classification member From the Foreign Affairs Committee of the American Chamber, and Laws Frankel (D-FL), classification member of the U.S.-national security, State and Related Programs Sub-Comeding Subcommittee, sent a letter At the Agency of the United States for International Development (USAID), the actual administrator Jason Gray expressing his concern about the Trump administration of Trump to empty the agency staff, interrupt the programs underway And freeze foreign assistance, which puts life in danger in the world and makes Americans less safe.

“We write with a deep concern concerning the recent stages that the Trump administration has taken to the American Agency for International Development (USAID)”, ” wrote the legislators. “Administration’s decisions to place the high leaders of the Agency on leave; To end the current programs without examining their efficiency and value simply because of the way in which they were labeled under the previous administration; And to freeze the ongoing foreign assistance without engaging in a significant consultation and transparency with the Congress, in particular to ensure compliance with the law – has created a maelstrom of problems that have endangered and undermined the credibility American worldwide. »»

“It is imperative that we maintain an independent voice and development capacity within the United States government. USAID is, by status, an independent establishment outside the State Department “,” continued the legislators. “Any proposition aimed at modifying this structure would require an act of the congress.”

“We congratulate ourselves on the subsequent decision of the administration to allow derogations from humanitarian and vital health aid, but the majority of foreign aid remains frozen, including programs essential to our national security”, ” continued the legislators. “The break in the energy assistance for Ukraine weakens its defense while Russia progresses on the battlefield and the Afghan allies – which supported the American mission in Afghanistan – are blocked on the platforms of the American government. The freezing of these programs makes Americans less safe and endangers our ability to compete with adversaries like China, Russia and Iran. »»

“If the United States pleads in high power competition, we cannot afford to take a delay of the USAID programs which have long served to advance the objectives of American foreign policy”, ” concluded the legislators. “America must be active, and we must drive through our example.”

The full text of the letter is available HERE and provided below.

Dear interim administrator Gray:

We write with a deep concern concerning the recent stages that the Trump administration has taken to the American Agency for International Development (USAID). Administration’s decisions to place the high leaders of the agency on leave; To end the current programs without examining their efficiency and value simply because of the way in which they were labeled under the previous administration; And to freeze the ongoing foreign assistance without engaging in a significant consultation and transparency with the Congress, in particular to ensure compliance with the law – has created a maelstrom of problems that have endangered and undermined the credibility American in the world.

We strongly oppose the arbitrary dissemination of experts in foreign career service and in public service. We understand that the Trump administration has placed a certain number of senior officials, including the agency advisor, the interim general councilor and the members of the higher and foreign services on administrative leave paid without reason. In addition, staff actions, including stop work and dismissal orders, have been issued to certain employees and hundreds of entrepreneurs who support the agency’s critical mission. Congress forced a job system based on merit to ensure that the staff is selected according to their ability to do the work and carry out the mission of the USAID in a impartial manner which best serves the ‘public interest.

Congress Democrats systematically supported USAID reforms, including exams responsible for the efficiency of assistance programs. We understand that any administration has the right to assess the programs. While many United States has focused on the constitutional transition of power which took place earlier this month, the crises of the world did not stop. Russia always seeks to conquer Ukraine in the largest European conflict since the Second World War, the inhabitants of Sudan have faced famine and genocide, and the PRC continues to advance its revisionist program.

The administration has not informed or consulted the congress on these decisions, undergoing the important constitutional duty of the Congress to monitor the financing, staff and foreign policy of the country. It is imperative that we maintain an independent voice and development capacity within the American government. USAID is, by status, an independent establishment outside the State Department. Any proposal aimed at modifying this structure would require an act of congress.

We congratulate ourselves on the subsequent decision of the administration to allow derogations from humanitarian and vital health aid, but the majority of foreign aid remains frozen, including programs essential to our national security. The break in the energy assistance for Ukraine weakens its defense while Russia progresses on the battlefield and the Afghan allies – which supported the American mission in Afghanistan – are blocked on the platforms of the American government. The freezing of these programs makes Americans less safe and endangers our ability to compete with adversaries like China, Russia and Iran.

The freeze freeze also blocks global health security programs, including surveillance of the bird flu in 49 countries, just as we find it difficult to contain an epidemic in the United States. It also prevents an American response to the new Ebola epidemic in the Ugandan capital, a city of 1.9 million people with an active international airport. Programming to support 90 million women and children to obtain vaccinations, prenatal care, accessible resources in charge and contraception and the flagship program of Pepfar – with a historical success of HIV and AIDS – AIDS – are interrupted. Not only will lives be lost, but we will also give in the field in China, damaging our position in the world at a time of increased geopolitical competition.

If the United States pleads in competition in high power, we cannot afford to take the USAID programs for a long time which have long served to advance American foreign policy targets. America must be active and we must pass through our example.

We ask for answers to the following requests by February 10, 2025:

• In the realization of this executive decree and arrest work orders, what are the implications of national security and the impact on the beneficiaries of the break in foreign assistance for each of these programs: PEPFAR, Global Security of Health, maternal health, title II food assistance, family planning and economic aid for Ukraine, Jordan and Lebanon.
• What impact will the break in foreign aid have our ability to compete with China? Do you plan that China will use this opening to assert its priorities and fill the financing gap in countries where the United States has withdrawn?
• A list of all programs subject to foreign assistance break or stop work orders; the criteria used to suspend programs; As well as all the derogations that have been granted, especially in the countries where they operate, and the amount and the year of financing.
• A list of all employment measures, in all job mechanisms that USAID has taken response to decrees and how to make sure the law while USAID implements the decrees.
• A list of all people (including the postal title, the independent office or office) since January 20, 2025, placed on administrative leave, has issued arrest or otherwise terminated work prescriptions. Provide the legal justification for each staff action.
• A list of all programs, affinity groups and initiatives that have been suspended and all the other measures taken in response to the president’s decree to end the Dei programs.

We look forward to your answer.

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