Washington, DC -- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement marking one year since President Trump’s executive order freezing U.S. foreign assistance, an action that suspended nearly all foreign assistance programs and resulted in the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the needless deaths of millions of people around the world.
“President Trump’s executive order abruptly ended decades of bipartisan progress countering poverty, eradicating infectious diseases, and saving lives overseas around the world. As a direct result of President Trump’s actions, an estimated 3 million people will die from preventable causes, 95 million people will lose access to basic health care, and at least 23 million children will be forced out of school.
“As the Trump administration presides over an unprecedented retreat from global leadership, China has filled the void left by the United States’ absence, tightening its influence over the world’s fastest growing economies and undercutting American businesses’ ability to fairly compete in emerging markets. Actions such as the dismantling of USAID have left the United States with fewer tools to counter these trends and advance our strategic interests.
“I applaud the dedicated staff who supported U.S. efforts to save lives, promote democracy, counter poverty, and foster stability overseas. I will continue to champion this work and broader U.S. global leadership, which is critical to protecting our national security. Cutting foreign assistance has not saved the taxpayer money, balanced the budget, or made us safer, stronger, or more prosperous. Instead, it has pushed countless countries closer to China and left the United States weaker and more isolated than when President Trump assumed office.”
“President Trump’s executive order abruptly ended decades of bipartisan progress countering poverty, eradicating infectious diseases, and saving lives overseas around the world. As a direct result of President Trump’s actions, an estimated 3 million people will die from preventable causes, 95 million people will lose access to basic health care, and at least 23 million children will be forced out of school.
“As the Trump administration presides over an unprecedented retreat from global leadership, China has filled the void left by the United States’ absence, tightening its influence over the world’s fastest growing economies and undercutting American businesses’ ability to fairly compete in emerging markets. Actions such as the dismantling of USAID have left the United States with fewer tools to counter these trends and advance our strategic interests.
“I applaud the dedicated staff who supported U.S. efforts to save lives, promote democracy, counter poverty, and foster stability overseas. I will continue to champion this work and broader U.S. global leadership, which is critical to protecting our national security. Cutting foreign assistance has not saved the taxpayer money, balanced the budget, or made us safer, stronger, or more prosperous. Instead, it has pushed countless countries closer to China and left the United States weaker and more isolated than when President Trump assumed office.”