Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the Trump Administration is cutting 83% of USAID funding. USAID plays a crucial role in addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and conflict in developing nations by providing essential humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and long-term development assistance. These programs contribute to improving healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, which in turn foster political stability and reduce the likelihood of conflicts that can lead to mass migration or global security threats. The restoration of funding also ensures the U.S. remains a reliable partner to vulnerable countries, strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting values such as democracy, human rights, and rule of law. While USAID has sometimes been used by the US government as a tool to promote its own interests to the detriment of funding recipients, it is still a vital source of life-sustaining money around the world.

Restoring USAID funding is vital for addressing the interconnected global challenges of climate change, health pandemics, and food security. The pandemic of COVID-19 has underscored the need for coordinated international responses to global health crises, and USAID has been at the forefront of delivering vital medical supplies and vaccines to underserved populations. With climate change threatening the livelihoods of millions in vulnerable regions, USAID's investments in climate resilience projects are crucial for mitigating these risks and promoting sustainable practices. By reinstating USAID funding, the U.S. can help build a more stable, interconnected world, where both the U.S. and its global partners benefit from stronger economies, improved security, and reduced instability.

Rep. Sara Jacobs has introduced legislation to restore USAID funding, called the Protect U.S. National Security Act (HR 1196). Jacobs said that “Eliminating USAID will be a death sentence for millions of people. It means no more food for the millions of Sudanese refugees who’ve fled civil war, no more medical care for displaced Palestinians, no more HIV treatment on the African continent, no more Ebola screenings of passengers at airports, and so much more. People will starve, babies will die, and poverty will skyrocket.”