Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22), Ranking Member of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Subcommittee, along with Subcommittee members Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Mike Quigley (IL-05), issued a letter to Secretary of State Marcio Rubio requesting detailed information regarding the status of USAID and State Department programs. The Members conveyed the letter following the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate over 90% of USAID and State Department awards after a rushed and opaque review of nearly all foreign assistance without Congressional participation.

The Administration has fired thousands of staff, halted critical humanitarian, development, and security programs, dismantled key agencies, and refused to pay for work already completed by U.S. organizations and businesses—all without consulting Congress. These actions are causing harm to people and businesses and severely damaging U.S. relationships across the globe.

“The Trump Administration’s sledgehammer termination of thousands of State Department and USAID programs—without congressional input or a meaningful review—is wrong,” said Ranking Member Frankel. “Foreign assistance is not a handout; it is a strategic investment. At less than 1% of our federal budget, these programs prevent conflict, combat terrorism, strengthen our economy, and promote democracy abroad.”

Eliminating thousands of foreign assistance programs leaves the U.S. more vulnerable to global instability, health crises, and adversarial influence, particularly from China. This decision does not make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.

“I support responsible reviews of government programs to ensure effectiveness and cost savings—but this must be done transparently, with congressional oversight, and in an orderly manner. The rushed approach taken by the Trump Administration is not a responsible review; it is a dangerous dismantling of critical U.S. foreign policy tools.”

The letter requests Secretary Rubio provide the following:

1. A comprehensive list of programs (including contracts, grants, and other funding instruments) that have been terminated including a program description and reason for termination;

2. A list of awards to be continued including a program description;

3. The criteria used to determine whether a program will be terminated or retained, including a detailed description of the review process and the names and titles of individuals involved in decision-making;

4. A summary of all pending payments, along with a detailed description of the review process and timeline, including for terminated awards, along with the names and titles of those overseeing these decisions;

5. Clarification of the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in decisions affecting State Department and USAID personnel and foreign assistance programs; and

6. Confirmation of commitment to resuming routine briefings for Congress and responding to congressional inquiries regarding State Department and USAID matters.

For full text of the letter, click here.

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