1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

The current chaos and disruption at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is having devastating consequences for the world's most vulnerable people. Emergency aid programs that provide life-saving nutrition and medical care have ground to a halt, putting thousands of children at risk of starvation and allowing deadly disease outbreaks like Ebola to spread unchecked. This situation threatens not only the lives of people in developing countries, but global health security and America's national interests. While reform may be warranted, the indiscriminate dismantling of USAID's programs and operations is unconscionably reckless. Robust foreign aid initiatives are a critical investment in curbing humanitarian crises, mitigating conflicts that breed instability, and preventing the spread of pandemics that could ultimately reach American shores. Crippling USAID's ability to respond quickly and effectively is penny wise but pound foolish. It is imperative that this administration restores order and proper funding to USAID immediately. The American people expect our foreign policy to uphold basic human rights and protect our national security interests. The current chaos at USAID undermines both of those principles in service of an ill-conceived reform agenda. I urge you to take decisive action to empower this vital agency before more preventable suffering and loss of life occurs.