Several Democratic lawmakers have voiced their opposition to cutting funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), despite recent revelations about controversial spending practices, including allegations of funds reaching terrorist-linked groups. These concerns arose following cost-cutting measures implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Reports indicate that USAID funds may have been improperly channeled, with some alleging that al Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki's college education in Colorado was fully funded by the agency. When questioned by Fox News Digital, Democratic representatives defended USAID's funding. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) emphasized that the funding levels were agreed upon by both Republicans and Democrats and should be honored. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) acknowledged that USAID funds should never reach terrorist organizations but expressed skepticism about the credibility of the claims, pointing to what he perceives as a pattern of unsubstantiated allegations regarding government efficiency.
A study conducted by the Middle East Forum, a conservative think tank, suggests that USAID and the State Department have allocated at least $122 million to groups associated with designated terrorists and their supporters. One of the study's key findings was that USAID allegedly provided over $900,000 to the Bayader Association for Environment and Development, a Gaza-based organization described as a "terror charity." Furthermore, a White House report identified millions in taxpayer dollars spent on contraceptives and condoms that purportedly ended up in the possession of the Taliban.
While expressing his commitment to eliminating waste and combating terrorism, Rep. Swalwell maintained an open stance on the issue. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) criticized Elon Musk for what he described as "raiding" USAID funding and stressed the importance of maintaining funding levels. Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), a member of the progressive "Squad," advocated for oversight and budgetary adjustments to address specific concerns within USAID programs while opposing drastic cuts to the entire department. He criticized Musk for implementing program closures without transparency or a vote. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) declined to comment on the matter.
