United States President Donald Trump has informed the U.S. Congress of his move to cut $4.9bn in foreign aid.
It was gathered that Trump, in a letter addressed to Congress, used a “pocket rescission” tactic to cut the $4.9bn in foreign aid.
The decision targets programs run by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the State Department, and United Nations peacekeeping efforts.
The pocket rescission is a policy that involves withholding funds for 45 days, effectively letting them expire if Congress does not act within that timeframe.
The cuts include $3.2 billion from USAID, $445 million from U.N. peacekeeping operations, and $132 million from the State Department’s Democracy Fund.
This was announced in a press statement issued by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The statement reads: “Last night, President Trump CANCELED $4.9 billion in America Last foreign aid using a pocket rescission, President Donald Trump will always put AMERICA FIRST!”
Giving more information on the development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, stating the programs do not align with Trump’s “America First” priorities.
Rubio said: Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has been committed to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse from the U.S. government, saving American workers billions of dollars.
“Now, for the first time in 50 years, the President is using his authority under the Impoundment Control Act to deploy a pocket rescission, cancelling $5 billion in foreign aid and international organization funding that violates the President’s America First priorities. Among items being canceled are $2.7 million for “inclusive democracy” programs in South Africa, $4 million for “global LGBTQI+ awareness”, and for the “Global Labor Program.”
“None of these programs are in America’s interest, which is why the President is taking decisive action to put America and Americans first.”
However, critics, including Republican Senator Susan Collins, argue that Trump cancels foreign aid unlawfully, violating Congress’s constitutional authority over spending.
“Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law,” Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a statement.
