1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

The proposed merger of USAID into the State Department and significant budget cuts are alarming moves that would severely undermine the agency's vital work providing humanitarian aid and development assistance worldwide. USAID operates as an independent agency precisely to insulate its mission from undue political influence. Folding it into the State Department could open it up to shifting foreign policy priorities rather than addressing urgent needs impartially. Furthermore, the drastic funding reductions reportedly under consideration would cripple USAID's ability to respond to crises and carry out long-term development projects that uplift communities. With the agency's website down and key officials dismissed or resigning, disruptions are already impacting emergency famine tracking and aid distribution. USAID was established by Congress to promote democracy, prevent conflict, and alleviate poverty globally - core American values that transcend partisan politics. Preserving its independence and robust funding is crucial to project U.S. humanitarian leadership and soft power influence around the world. I urge you to firmly oppose any efforts to undermine or dismantle this essential agency. USAID's mission is too vital to sacrifice for ill-conceived restructuring or budget cuts.