WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the reorganization of the U.S. State Department:
“Any changes to the State Department and USAID must be carefully weighed with the real costs to American security and leadership. When America retreats – as it has under President Trump – China and Russia fill the void. A strong and mission-ready State Department advances American national security interests, opens up new markets for American workers and companies and promotes global peace and stability. It remains to be seen how the administration’s latest proposals will achieve that goal.
“As I and many of my Democratic colleagues have made clear, we welcome reforms where needed—but they must be done with care. Elon Musk and his team have engaged in a slash and burn campaign targeting federal employees, terminating critical programs at State and USAID, undermining our allies and diminishing American leadership in the world.
“The lack of transparency to date only underscores that they know this process has been deeply flawed. I will be scrutinizing these proposed reforms, which must be done with close consultation with Congress and in compliance with the law. And I will hold Secretary Rubio to his pledge to appear before our Committee and engage with Congress on the future of the State Department.”
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