Democrats on Friday slammed President Trump over recent news reports that he is considering merging the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with the State Department.
“It is imperative that we maintain an independent development voice and capability within the U.S. government. USAID is, by statute, an independent establishment outside of the State Department. Any proposal to modify that structure would require an Act of Congress,” four congressional Democrats wrote in a Friday letter to Jason Gray, USAID’s acting administrator.
The three-page letter responded to multiple outlets‘ reporting that the Trump administration is considering having USAID, which among other things sends aid to communities impacted by conflicts and assists developing countries on many aspects, be placed under the control of the State Department.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), and Brian Schatz (Hawaii) alongside Reps. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.) and Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) expressed concern over the administration’s decision to place some USAID’s staff on leave, firing contractors and freezing foreign assistance which, they argued, put lives abroad and home at risk. MORE