By Daphne PsaledakisWASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of Democratic U.S. lawmakers are set to introduce a bill on Tuesday with the goal of preventing the Trump administration from using government funds to abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the sponsor of the bill informed Reuters. This move is the latest in a series of efforts to thwart the president’s actions to shut down the agency.
The bill, which has not been previously disclosed, emphasizes that only an act of Congress has the authority to eliminate USAID as an independent agency. It also stresses that any potential reform should strictly adhere to existing laws. Democrats have consistently argued that President Donald Trump’s actions in dismantling the agency are illegal.
Sara Jacobs, the lead on the bill supported by 15 other Democrats, conveyed to Reuters that the proposed measure would prohibit the administration from using U.S. government funds to cover the salaries of individuals involved in the elimination of USAID as an independent agency. This includes employees of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, as well as expenses related to activities like covering up or removing USAID signage.
While the bill may encounter challenges in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, if it were to be enacted into law, the Secretary of State would be required to confirm compliance within 30 days of its enactment and subsequently every five years.
USAID, a key U.S. humanitarian agency, was the primary target of the initiative led by the wealthy entrepreneur Musk to downsize the U.S. government. “It’s already illegal to dismantle USAID. What Elon Musk is already doing, it’s illegal,” Jacobs remarked. She further explained that the bill would serve as an additional legal safeguard against any allocation of U.S. funds towards the agency’s dismantlement.
For the bill to become law, it would need to pass through the Republican-controlled House and Senate and receive approval from President Trump. Jacobs expressed optimism, noting that there are Republican lawmakers who have demonstrated support for USAID in the past and could potentially secure the required votes in the House.
Following Trump’s directive on January 20 to freeze most U.S. foreign aid to align it with his “America First” policy, numerous programs providing life-saving aid worldwide faced disruptions. USAID staff were placed on leave and instructed not to report to their headquarters, where signage was either covered with tape or removed. The agency’s website ceased functioning, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was appointed as the acting administrator.
A U.S. judge recently announced plans to issue a temporary order that would restrict the Trump administration’s alterations to USAID, albeit in a very limited capacity. However, the fate of the agency’s staff remained uncertain.
Established in 1961 by Democratic President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War era, USAID was subsequently designated as an independent entity within the executive branch by Congress. This means that the president lacks the authority to abolish the
