WATERBURY, CT – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, released the following statement as the Trump Administration works to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“In recent days, President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, have taken significant steps to shutdown USAID and consolidate it with the State Department. These steps have included executive orders issued by the President, a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid, the suspension of senior USAID officials, taking down the agency website, and over 10,000 USAID employees being barred from entering their offices.
For over sixty years, USAID has worked to improve lives, promote democratic values, and address the root causes of instability around the world. In delivering on this mission, USAID has combatted hunger, poverty, and malnutrition through the Feed the Future Initiative, promoted and protected human rights, and worked with nations to enhance their economies so their people can thrive. Since 2008, USAID has helped save the lives of 4.6 million children and 200,000 women.
Now, with no basis or authority, President Trump is working to end the work of USAID.
Congress appropriated foreign assistance to protect U.S. interests and global stability. No President has the power to unilaterally reorganize the federal government or undo laws passed by Congress. The outsized influence of Elon Musk is dangerous and the work by President Trump to dismantle USAID is unlawful, will have lasting impacts across the world, and could jeopardize U.S. national security as other nations move to fill the void left by USAID.
Violating the law to dismantle USAID and end all U.S. foreign assistance will have grave consequences at home and abroad. President Trump must immediately restore USAID programming and consult Congress on his proposals to reorganize USAID and reconfigure foreign assistance funding.”