OneAID Community condemns the illegal and unconstitutional decision by the Trump Administration to fully shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, fire its workforce, and transfer its functions into the Department of State. Congress established USAID as an Agency in 1961 and has updated the Foreign Assistance Act to frame the responsibilities and accountabilities of USAID over time, most recently in 2017. The executive branch does not have the power to close a congressionally established agency and it cannot unilaterally reorganize agencies without congressional authorization. The 2017 Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act signed by Trump clarifies the Committees with oversight responsibility for USAID, specifically:

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(1) the Senate Appropriations Committee; 

(2) the Senate Foreign Relations Committee;

(3) the House Appropriations Committee; and

(4) the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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OneAID Community calls on the Congress to assert its constitutional responsibilities to establish and reorganize federal agencies, and it encourages Members of Congress to oppose any legislation that would eliminate or transfer USAID’s critical foreign assistance functions and fire its entire workforce en masse. The committees of jurisdiction must ensure that the administration engages in meaningful consultations on any plans to reorganize USAID and its functions, to fire its workforce, or to impound or reprogram congressionally appropriated foreign assistance funds.

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The OneAID Community is a nonpartisan group of more than 2,400 humanitarian assistance, international development, and national security professionals, partners, and others working together to support foreign assistance and protect our democracy. 

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Use the script below to call or email your Representatives and Senators now and demand they stop the Administration's unilateral shut down of USAID. 

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Click here to find their contact info.

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Dear [Member Title and Name]:

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My name is [First Name Last Name] and I am from [City, State]. I am writing/calling because I strongly oppose the Secretary of State’s action to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), fire its staff, and move its work to the State Department. The executive branch does not have the power to close or change agencies that Congress created without permission from Congress.

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This action threatens the balance of power established in the Constitution. Further, this action undermines America's ability to globally engage to make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.

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I call on you to take immediate action. Congress must uphold its powers to establish and reorganize federal agencies. I encourage you to oppose any attempts to eliminate USAID and its staff or transfer the agency to the Department of State without Congressional legislative action. Congress should also hold full hearings to understand the impacts of these actions and request that the Congressional Budget Office produce an estimate  of the costs or savings from shutting down USAID. 

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Congress must preserve its leadership and responsibilities in our democracy and ensure the U.S. government continues to advance American national interests and promote American values in the world through principled foreign assistance.

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Sincerely,

[Your Name]