Foreign Assistance will continue under State Department is One Take-Away from Rubio Testimony to Congress

In a broad ranging and, at times, feisty exchanges with Senate Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee, listeners can reasonably conclude that USAID is now history but development and humanitarian assistance will remain a tool of foreign policy. Rubio insisted that the U.S. is not pulling back from global engagement. He asserted that 85% of PEPFAR programs continue while acknowledging earlier payment challenges. A member of the committee corrected that figure to 70% for he official record. Rubio also falsely asserted that only 12% of foreign aid made it to the beneficiaries. Senator Murphy clarified for the record that the 12% figure was likely referring to the amount of aid awards made to local entities. When asked about the demise of the MCC, Rubio stated it was undergoing a review, and it may be reformed and refocused. The senator noted how that contrasted with their handling of USAID.  

Read more on Rubio’s testimony here.