(Source : The Hill) In a move that has sparked outrage and deepened political divisions, Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) blocked a resolution supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as the agency faces unprecedented turmoil under the Trump administration. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and backed by over 40 Democrats, aimed to affirm USAID’s critical role in protecting U.S. national security and providing vital humanitarian aid worldwide.
Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, justified his objection by citing the need to reduce the national debt and echoing the Trump administration’s push to merge USAID with the State Department. “The idea of merging USAID and the State Department has been floated by nearly every administration since USAID was established by Congress in 1998,” Risch said on the Senate floor. “I’m supportive of the Trump administration’s efforts to reform and restructure the agency in a way that better serves U.S. national security interests.”
The block comes as USAID faces a controversial shutdown orchestrated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has effectively dismantled the agency’s operations. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised alarms about Musk’s growing influence over federal agencies, with critics accusing the billionaire of leading an “unelected shadow government” that undermines congressional authority.
Coons, a staunch advocate for USAID, slammed Risch’s decision, emphasizing the agency’s importance to global stability and U.S. leadership. “Why should we bother coming to an agreement on appropriations here in the Senate, pass a law, send it to the president, he signs it, and then in the next Congress and the next president, they can shut it down and claw it back?” Coons questioned, highlighting the absurdity of defunding an agency that Congress has already funded.
Musk’s DOGE Takes Center Stage
The battle over USAID’s future has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over the Trump administration’s aggressive restructuring of the federal government. Musk’s DOGE has been at the forefront of these efforts, with reports of unauthorized access to sensitive government systems and the abrupt shutdown of critical programs. Critics argue that the move to dismantle USAID—an agency responsible for delivering billions in humanitarian aid—reflects a dangerous disregard for global stability and U.S. moral leadership.
Coons expressed cautious optimism that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent comments about preserving some of USAID’s functions might prevail. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the administration’s plans, noting, “It’s unclear to me who’s really driving this initiative.”
Risch’s support for merging USAID with the State Department aligns with the Trump administration’s vision of streamlining federal agencies, but critics warn that such a move could weaken the U.S.’s ability to respond to global crises. USAID has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, providing life-saving aid in conflict zones, combating diseases like HIV/AIDS, and supporting democratic institutions worldwide.
The push to dismantle the agency has drawn fierce opposition from humanitarian groups, lawmakers, and global leaders, who argue that it undermines decades of progress and leaves vulnerable populations at risk.
A Partisan Divide Deepens
The Senate clash over USAID underscores the deepening partisan divide in Washington, with Democrats accusing Republicans of enabling an administration that prioritizes cost-cutting over compassion. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the fate of USAID has become a symbol of the broader struggle over the role of government, the power of unelected officials like Elon Musk, and the future of U.S. leadership on the global stage.
Will Congress stand up to protect USAID, or will the agency become another casualty of the Trump administration’s controversial agenda? The answer could have far-reaching consequences for millions around the world—and for America’s standing as a global leader.
