River Bend Times

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley has urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to perform an audit concerning the Trump administration's recent actions involving the termination of foreign assistance programs and the downsizing of the State Department. Merkley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concerns over the legality and constitutional compliance of these actions.

Merkley highlighted the importance of U.S. national security objectives, stating that "USAID’s programs, like all foreign assistance, play a central role in combating extremism, promoting stability, mitigating disease, and protecting our homeland." He also emphasized that these changes could benefit foreign competitors like China and Russia while threatening U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security interests.

In a letter to GAO Comptroller General Dodaro, Merkley requested a comprehensive audit to evaluate the consequences of the Trump administration's policy changes. He expressed his concerns about the workforce reductions at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and how these actions might undermine U.S. global influence and leadership.

Merkley emphasized the need to fully understand the impacts of these policies, stating, "Given the vital role that diplomacy and foreign assistance play in advancing U.S. national security interests, it is imperative that we fully understand the consequences of these policy decisions." He sought insights into the effects on U.S. diplomatic efforts, global influence, economic and humanitarian initiatives, and the strategic competition with adversaries.

The request also looks into the broader implications of disengagement from significant international organizations, like the World Health Organization, and how this may affect global health measures and U.S. interests.

Merkley concluded his letter by asking for a timely update on the audit's status, reiterating his commitment to collaborating with the GAO in overseeing the situation.