The U.S. State Department has announced that the 90-day pause and review of foreign aid is yielding results, with efforts to eliminate wasteful spending and block programs deemed contrary to national interests. This initiative aims to ensure that every dollar spent contributes to making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
According to the State Department, "Americans are a hardworking and generous people, who have sacrificed their blood and treasure to help their fellow man across the globe. But no foreign nation is entitled to those benefits, and no foreign aid program is above scrutiny." The department highlighted that approximately $40 billion is spent annually on foreign aid by the United States.
The decision for a temporary pause was made because "it is impossible to evaluate programs on autopilot," with little incentive for participants to share detailed information about ongoing programs. A pause allows for a thorough review of expenditures.
Certain types of spending have been halted due to this review process. These include funding for contraceptive services in Gaza, climate justice marketing in Gabon, clean energy initiatives for women in Fiji, gender development programs, family planning across Latin America, sex education, and pro-abortion programs globally. Such activities are viewed as not contributing positively toward America's strength or prosperity.
However, exceptions have been made for critical needs. The order from January 24 allowed "emergency food assistance" among other essential services. On January 28, a broad waiver was granted for humanitarian aid defined as "life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter," among others.
Waivers were also issued concerning national security matters such as protecting U.S. personnel overseas and enforcing non-proliferation obligations. Guidance was provided on how bureaus managing foreign assistance should request waivers by detailing program specifics including location and intended outcomes.
As part of this process aimed at transparency and accountability in spending abroad instead of domestically: "In just a few days... over $1 billion in spending not aligned with an America First agenda has been prevented."