Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on State Department & USAID Management, International Operations, & Bilateral International Development, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID):
“Today marks a dark day in U.S. foreign policy as the Trump Administration completes its illegal dismantling of USAID. The dedicated men and women of USAID have set a shining example across the globe for decades, and, as a recent report shows, these cuts will have deadly consequences. I will continue to stand up for our nation’s diplomatic and foreign assistance efforts – and the dedicated federal employees and contractors who have led them. Ultimately, President Trump and Marco Rubio will bear the responsibility for the millions of people this decision will impact – as well as its irreparable harm to U.S. foreign policy.”
RODRICKS COLUMN ON USAID in 2019
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Dan Rodricks 
”American First” is now “America Only” or more accurately, “Wealthy America Only.”
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The president and Rubio can now officially be dubbed murderers. Curtailing the work of USAID is the reason. For those who have even a rudimentary knowledge of what USAID does and its soft diplomacy, it is self-evident. PEPFAR alone, the HIV/AIDS program, will cause untold numbers of deaths. From Grants.Gov: “USAID’s Feed the Future, Global Health, Global Climate Change, and Power Africa initiatives target symptoms of and pathways out of poverty. USAID’s work on education is already reaching millions in extreme poverty. Similarly, the organization’s cross-cutting efforts in promoting democracy, rights and good governance, empowering women and girls, advancing prosperity, building resilient societies, and mitigating climate change are all essential to ending poverty.”
The news today has been worse than usual. It is getting more difficult to remain positive with each piece of news. Today, Paramount succumbed to a presidential demand that will line his pockets even more. His avarice is unending, akin to that of King Midas. And all of it illegal.
It’s time for one of your upbeat, positive stories, of which you have many. Thanks, Dan. m.
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Hi Dan, off topic, though all your topics are thoughtful and relevant and kind:
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Track Your Congressmembers’ Connections to the Israel Lobby — Track AIPAC https://share.google/jLv3xv72312fLONhw
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I just read your 2019 Sun column on USAID. It’s beautiful. Thanks for providing the link. It remains a poignant, caring story.
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