1. United States
2. R.I.
3. Letter

I write to urge you to support legislation that reinstates the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), renews and modernizes its mission for the twenty-first century, and places the agency under a governance structure that reflects Congress’s constitutional authority over appropriations and the creation of federal agencies. For more than six decades, USAID has served as one of the United States’ most effective instruments of diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, economic development, global health, disaster relief, agricultural innovation, democratic institution-building, and international stability. Through partnerships with governments, nonprofit organizations, universities, businesses, and local communities, USAID has helped reduce poverty, combat infectious diseases, respond to humanitarian crises, strengthen democratic institutions, and advance American interests abroad. While no federal agency is beyond improvement, the historical record demonstrates that USAID has represented one of America’s greatest investments in both humanitarian leadership and long-term national security. If USAID has been dismantled, suspended, or substantially impaired through executive action without congressional authorization, Congress should exercise its constitutional responsibility to review those actions and determine whether they are consistent with existing law. Article I of the Constitution grants Congress authority over appropriations, the establishment and organization of federal agencies, and oversight of the executive branch. Regardless of political party, preserving these constitutional checks and balances is essential to maintaining the separation of powers that protects our republic. I respectfully ask Congress to consider legislation that accomplishes four goals. First, fully restore USAID’s statutory authorities, personnel, funding mechanisms, and international partnerships so the agency can continue carrying out the work that has advanced American humanitarian and strategic interests for more than sixty years. Second, modernize USAID’s charter to reflect today’s global challenges, including climate resilience, cybersecurity, pandemic preparedness, food security, refugee assistance, democratic governance, anti-corruption initiatives, and sustainable economic development. These priorities require updated authorities while preserving the agency’s longstanding humanitarian mission. Third, strengthen transparency, accountability, and bipartisan oversight. Congress should require regular performance audits, independent inspectors general, publicly accessible impact evaluations, financial transparency, and measurable outcomes so taxpayers can clearly understand how foreign assistance advances both humanitarian goals and American national interests. Fourth, explore governance reforms that reinforce Congress’s constitutional oversight. One option deserving serious study is whether portions of USAID’s long-term strategic planning, authorization, or administrative structure should be redesigned to provide greater legislative oversight while preserving the executive branch’s constitutional role in carrying out foreign policy. Such reforms should be crafted carefully to remain consistent with the Constitution’s separation of powers while ensuring that an agency established by Congress cannot be fundamentally altered without congressional participation. Foreign assistance is not simply an act of charity. It is an investment in a safer, healthier, and more stable world. Helping prevent famine, disease outbreaks, state failure, and humanitarian disasters abroad often costs far less than responding later through military intervention or emergency relief. USAID has historically served as a force multiplier for American diplomacy by strengthening partnerships, reducing instability, expanding markets, and demonstrating the values of compassion, freedom, and democratic leadership. This issue extends beyond any single administration. Americans of differing political views should be able to agree that agencies created by Congress deserve meaningful congressional oversight and that significant structural changes to those agencies should occur through legislation rather than unilateral executive action. Protecting constitutional governance requires that each branch respect the authorities assigned to it. I therefore respectfully ask you to support legislation that restores USAID, renews its mission for the next generation, strengthens accountability to the American people, and reinforces Congress’s constitutional role in overseeing the nation’s foreign assistance programs. Thank you for your service to our nation and for your thoughtful consideration of this important matter. I appreciate your attention to preserving both America’s humanitarian leadership and the constitutional principles that guide our government.