WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioning the status of the Administration’s foreign assistance “review,” calling on him to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and to consult with Congress on his proposed changes—as is required by law.
“We are seeking immediate clarification on the status of the Administration’s foreign assistance review,” wrote the Senators. “Your announcement of the conclusion of the review of USAID awards stands in contrast to statements made by your Director of Foreign Assistance and Deputy Administrator of USAID, Pete Marocco, in a meeting with us on March 6th.”
“We have expressed support for a legitimate process and are willing to engage in good faith,” they continued. “We are aware of awards, including for humanitarian U.S. commodity programs, that were terminated, then un-terminated and again re-terminated within a matter of days. This lack of clarity is harmful to American interests, diplomatic relationships, our foreign assistance partners, and people globally who are suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition.”
“We also note that the letter you submitted to Congress on February 3 communicated your ‘intent to initiate consultations’ consistent with appropriations law, but no such consultations or required notifications have occurred,” they concluded. “We expect that you will consult with Congress before the conclusion of the review and reiterate our request that you appear for hearings before the Committee on these actions and their implications for U.S. national security.”
Full text of the letter is available HERE and provided below.
Dear Secretary Rubio:
We are seeking immediate clarification on the status of the Administration’s foreign assistance review. On March 10, you tweeted that the Administration’s review of USAID programs was complete, resulting in the cancellation of 83% of the Agency’s programs, or 5,200 contracts.
Your announcement of the conclusion of the review of USAID awards stands in contrast to statements made by your Director of Foreign Assistance and Deputy Administrator of USAID, Pete Marocco, in a meeting with us on March 6th. Mr. Marocco briefed senators on the Foreign Relations Committee that the President’s 90-day review of U.S. foreign assistance would conclude in mid-April, following consideration of the outcome of the Office of Management and Budget’s data call. Mr. Marocco also stated that the Administration would consult with Congress on programs during the remaining review period.
The March 10 tweet is also in contrast with a court filing on February 26th in which Pete Marocco attested that the foreign assistance “review” was completed, resulting in the termination of approximately 5,800 awards for USAID—a 93% reduction in USAID programs—and 4,100 State Department awards—a roughly 60% reduction. State and USAID orally briefed these terminations to House and Senate committees of jurisdiction.
We have expressed support for a legitimate process and are willing to engage in good faith. We ask that you urgently, and personally, provide clarity to this Committee regarding the nature and status of the review and that you provide the Committee with a current list of terminated and retained awards to date. Specifically, we are seeking information on whether this review is ongoing for both USAID and State Department awards; whether there will be additional rescissions of terminations; and the metrics used in decision-making. We are aware of awards, including for humanitarian U.S. commodity programs, that were terminated, then un-terminated and again re-terminated within a matter of days. This lack of clarity, for example, is harmful to American interests, diplomatic relationships, our foreign assistance partners, and people globally who are suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition.
We also note that the letter you submitted to Congress on February 3 communicated your “intent to initiate consultations” consistent with appropriations law, but no such consultations or required notifications have occurred. We expect that you will consult with Congress before the conclusion of the review and reiterate our request that you appear for hearings before the Committee on these actions and their implications for U.S. national security.
We look forward to your prompt response.
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