Kaine Introduces Legislation to Expand Congressional Oversight of Foreign Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the introduction of the Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act, legislation to expand congressional oversight of foreign assistance decision-making. The bill would require the State Department’s Director of Foreign Assistance to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and for all foreign assistance funding provided to the State Department or U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to be used as directed within 90 days of its appropriation by Congress. The Director of Foreign Assistance is currently not confirmed by the Senate, and the Trump Administration has refused to publicly identify the individual currently occupying this powerful position.

“Foreign assistance is not a handout. It is a critical part of our national security strategy and a key tool to keep Americans safe from disease, narcotics and instability. China has rapidly expanded its foreign assistance over the past decade, and would like nothing more than for the United States to retreat on the global stage. The Trump Administration’s recent attempts to destroy USAID and U.S. foreign assistance programs emboldens China, Russia, and Iran, makes Americans less safe, puts thousands of Americans out of work, and is already causing cause immense human suffering for millions of people around the world,” said Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to force congressional oversight of this lawless and damaging behavior.”

“USAID saves lives and is critical to U.S. national security,” said Bennet. “As the Trump Administration threatens this crucial agency, our bill will reaffirm USAID’s independence and ensure the delivery of U.S. foreign assistance worldwide.”

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s attempts to dissolve USAID are not only illegal, but pose a grave threat to our national security,” said Booker. “My colleagues and I refuse to stand by and watch as they try to dismantle a crucial agency that provides life-saving support overseas, services that keep Americans safe at home, and programs that prevent our adversaries from gaining a foothold. This legislation will ensure U.S. leadership in foreign affairs is preserved.”

“The Trump administration's attempts to gut foreign assistance and shut down USAID don’t just weaken our national security and strengthen China at our expense. They’re also clearly illegal and unconstitutional,” said Coons. “This bill makes clear that Congress plays a critical, constitutional role in funding and overseeing our nation’s foreign aid apparatus and reins in the chaos of the Trump administration to ensure their foreign policy doesn’t actively harm Americans and their interests.”

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk illegally dismantling USAID would not only jeopardize the safety and well-being of innocent people around the world, but it would also hurt our national security, make our country less safe and cost taxpayers more money—not less,” said Duckworth. “This is yet another illegal power grab by the President—and Americans will undoubtedly feel the ramifications as bad actors like the PRC and Russia step in to fill the leadership vacuum that Trump so foolishly created. Our legislation would help push back against this dangerous agenda by strengthening our foreign assistance programs, increasing Congressional oversight of the State Department and reaffirming that this Administration must follow the law as written by Congress.”

“USAID is the reason deadly infectious diseases are monitored and contained, countries become more free and prosperous, and humanitarian crises are minimized.  More than 70 million people have gained access to clean drinking water in the last decade, thanks to USAID.  PEPFAR, a USAID program, curtailed the AIDS epidemic in Africa, saving more than 25 million lives.  Simply put, investing in USAID is a smart investment for everyone.  President Trump’s draconian decision to gut USAID and its funding puts innocent lives and American influence across the globe at risk,” said Durbin.  “I’m introducing legislation with Senator Kaine to protect the agency and its lifesaving work.”  

“A President is not a King. Trump cannot eliminate USAID with the stroke of a pen. Not only is it illegal—it is a gift to our adversaries,” said Merkley.

“What Donald Trump and Elon Musk have done over the last week to shutter USAID is not only a flagrant violation of the law, it is a dangerous concession to our adversaries who will fill the void we leave behind, and it is devastating for the thousands of Americans who have dedicated their lives to a mission that makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” said Murray. “This bill reasserts what we already know—that USAID is critical to our national security and global leadership and cannot be dismantled by an unelected billionaire with an axe to grind—and it ensures greater accountability for the political appointees leading these efforts.”

“President Trump and Elon Musk’s brazen and illegal attempt to dismantle USAID makes us all less safe by limiting our ability to fight infectious diseases, stabilize war-torn regions, and prevent gang violence that drives migration,” said Padilla. “Transparency and proper oversight are essential to ensure USAID can continue providing vital congressionally-mandated foreign assistance to protect our national security interests here at home.”

“USAID prevents famines, counters extremism, combats disease, and creates more markets for U.S. exports,” said Klobuchar. “Eliminating USAID makes the world a more dangerous place for Americans, is a gift to China and Russia, and hurts American farmers who feed the world. Our bill reaffirms the independence of USAID, as intended by Congress.”

“USAID plays a critical role in protecting America’s national security, strengthening international partnerships, and addressing crises around the world,” said Rosen. “This bill will safeguard against Elon Musk’s unlawful attempts to target USAID and our federal workers, and weaken America’s influence around the globe.”

“Helping our allies and partners makes us safer, boosts our economy, and maintains our leadership around the world,” said Schatz. “This bill strengthens the implementation of foreign assistance funds that Congress provides by ensuring it is distributed in a timely and transparent manner, consistent with the law.”

“With the recent efforts to dismantle USAID, it is essential that we have increased accountability over the foreign assistance programs at the State Department and USAID. By codifying authorities of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department and requiring that all funds appropriated to State or USAID be obligated in a timely manner, we are taking steps to ensure that crucial support is directed to those in need,” said Schiff.

“The humanitarian assistance that the U.S. provides not only saves countless lives, it is also an essential and cost-effective part of our overall national security and foreign policy strategy. In acting illegally to dismantle USAID, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are aiding and abetting our adversaries while making Americans less safe. This legislation makes it abundantly clear that neither Presidents – nor unelected billionaire megadonors – can ignore the legal duty to implement the laws duly enacted by the Congress,” said Van Hollen.

“President Trump and Elon Musk—making wildly false and defamatory accusations— have made it clear that they could care less about the thousands of dedicated American aid workers and millions of people around the world who depend on USAID's life-saving work. They are trying to destroy as much of USAID as they can get away with, and the fact that it’s illegal and unconstitutional is of no concern to them. We will not stand by while an agency that plays a unique and indispensable role in protecting U.S. interests and security is dismantled,” said Welch. “This bill will strengthen our foreign assistance programs and help ensure that the will of Congress prevails.”

In addition, the legislation expresses the sense of Congress that foreign assistance is critical to U.S. national security, reiterates USAID’s status as a legally independent agency, specifies the exact authorities of the Office of Foreign Assistance, and creates an extra layer of review for personnel decisions within the Office of Foreign Assistance.

The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patti Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

Full text of the bill is available here.

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