Ranking Members Connolly and Subramanyam Continue Investigation Into Impacts of DOGE’s Dismantling of USAID on Global Health and National Security
Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2025)—Today, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Military and Foreign Affairs, sent letters to seven U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) contractors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) requesting information on how DOGE’s dismantling of USAID and freeze on federal foreign assistance will jeopardize global health and national security—if it has not already.
“We write to expand our investigation of the Trump Administration’s illegal effort to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), freeze the distribution of federal foreign assistance, and disrupt USAID programs in approximately 130 countries. To better understand the threats exacerbated by this effort, we are seeking additional information on how the dismantling of USAID will jeopardize global health and destabilize developing nations, as well as place our national security at risk. This information is especially important as the United States faces several public health and national security challenges that USAID is uniquely positioned to combat,” wrote the Ranking Members.
On January 24, 2025, Acting Administrator Rubio ordered a 90-day freeze on all new obligations of federal foreign assistance. On March 10, 2025, Secretary Rubio announced the permanent cancellation of 5,200 contracts, approximately 83% of U.S. foreign aid programs. As a result of these cancellations, approximately 1 million children will go without food and nutrition, 17.9 millon people will not receive necessary malaria medications, and approximately 166,000 people may die.
In their letters, the Ranking Members highlight that federal contractors and non-profit organizations have been deeply affected by foreign aid cuts and the Trump Administration’s unlawful impounding of foreign aid money. The Ranking Members noted:
“Many contractors and non-profit organizations (NGOs) are reeling from the Administration’s ban on foreign aid and are scrambling to keep lifesaving operations going. Contractors and NGOs awaiting payment and facing funding cuts have been forced to furlough or lay off thousands of employees, creating an unemployment ripple effect beyond the more than 10,000 people unlawfully terminated from USAID.”
In addition to putting the lives of millions at risk and creating an unemployment ripple, the Trump Administration’s dismantling of USAID and freeze of foreign federal assistance leaves a gap that is being filled by adversaries.
“In many instances, China is already stepping in where the Trump Administration has retreated. For example, reports from Nepal indicate that China has proposed an aid program of its own to replace the lapse in USAID assistance and is similarly attempting to replace $385 million in program funding Colombia was receiving from USAID. China’s attempts to replace USAID with its own assistance programs pose a tremendous global security risk as it seeks to expand its diplomatic and economic influence and undermine U.S. interests around the world,” concluded the Ranking Members.
On February 7, 2025, Ranking Members Connolly and Subramanyam wrote a letter to Acting Administrator Marco Rubio requesting documents and information on the Trump-Musk effort to freeze foreign aid and purge USAID.
On February 26, 2025, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, led Subcommittee Democrats in condemning President Trump and Elon Musk for illegally dismantling the USAID and undermining global democracy, freedom, and U.S. national security by aligning with—and ceding power to—Russia and China.
Click here to read the letters to seven USAID contractors and NGOs.