Congress should back USAID funding bills

After reading the recent news that President Donald Trump used a dirty “pocket rescission” tactic to block another $4.9 billion in foreign aid, I felt compelled to write this.

Trump is cutting the USAID budget without going through the legislative branch by simply not spending the $4.9 billion that Congress had approved for foreign aid. He is making a mistake. Foreign aid is a strategy.

Firstly, Food security is national security. How? By preventing conflict and stabilizing fragile regions. According to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, 84% of retired three and four-star generals support diplomacy and development as vital tools alongside defense

Secondly, Foreign aid also boosts the American economy here at home. As aid lifts people from poverty into middle-class markets, they buy U.S. products and services. One in five U.S. jobs depends on international trade, according to the Business Roundtable.

Thirdly, it saves lives. Look at the statistics. USAID has helped cut child mortality in half since 1990. Reproductive health care reduces birth rates in developing nations by up to 35%, improving long-term outcomes.

These facts emphasize the strategy behind foreign aid, yet President Donald Trump has rescinded over $14 billion from USAID and plans to continue the rescissions by 85% of FY26 funding. That’s $65 billion. This overreach threatens lives and undermines congressional authority.

I thank U.S. Rep. Sean Casten for voting for H.R. 815 and H.R. 2882, which provided supplemental funding for international aid and national security. I thank Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin for calling out President Donald Trump on his attack on UAID. Now, I urge each to take stronger action: publicly reject the upcoming rescissions, support full USAID funding in FY26 and cosponsor/promote the Global Fragility Reauthorization Act.

Eeshan Lal

Oak Brook