WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement on the last day for many personnel at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) following the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the agency:
“Foreign assistance is not charity—it's a strategic tool to promote American interests, strengthen alliances and counter the growing reach of countries like China and Russia. When the U.S. pulls back, our adversaries fill the void. USAID leadership in development, global health and humanitarian response bolsters our national security and amplifies American influence around the world – directly benefitting our citizens and interests. President Trump’s actions undermine U.S. soft power at a moment when we can least afford it, with adversaries like China and Russia redoubling their diplomatic investments globally. I will continue to pursue every effort to restore the foreign assistance funding we need in order to compete on the world stage.
“The humanitarian consequences of this decision are staggering. A groundbreaking study by The Lancet determined that over 14 million people could die in the next five years because of President Trump’s personnel and foreign assistance cuts. I am grateful for the American and overseas staff who dedicated their lives to this work.
"This is not a policy of consensus—it is a reckless, illegal and deeply unpopular move that runs counter to the bipartisan legacy of USAID, honored by Presidents Bush and Obama alike. USAID was created in statute by Congress and has operated for over six decades. Its work has defined American leadership for generations, reaching people around the world with a simple message: From the American People. Thanks to President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE, that legacy has been demolished in a matter of months.”
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