Sweeping Cuts Announced This Morning By Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, 1,000 programs remain
Senator Marco Rubio has announced the cancellation of 83% of programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The decision comes after a six-week review that revealed extensive inefficiencies and programs that, in some cases, harmed U.S. national interests.
“After a six-week review, we are officially canceling 83% of the programs at USAID,” Rubio declared. “The 5,200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the United States.”
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The sweeping reform aims to cut wasteful expenditures and refocus U.S. aid efforts on strategic priorities. Of the original programs, only 18%—approximately 1,000—will remain operational, with oversight being transferred to the State Department for more effective administration.
$2 Billion Ordered Released by Supreme Court
The decision also comes after the Supreme Court has ordered the release of $2 billion in outstanding payments to these foreign programs, mostly for contracts that were previously in place.
“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs we are keeping to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” Rubio noted, emphasizing the need for better oversight and efficiency in foreign aid distribution.
Rubio expressed gratitude to the Department of Global Engagement (DOGE) and USAID staff for their dedication in executing these reforms. “Thank you to DOGE and our hardworking staff who worked very long hours to achieve this overdue and historic reform.”
Elon Musk, leader of DOGE, responded to Rubio’s announcement with support.
“Tough, but necessary. Good working with you,” Musk posted on X. “The important parts of USAID should always have been with Dept of State.”
THRIVE! News will continue to provide updates on how these changes unfold and what they mean for U.S. diplomacy and aid initiatives worldwide.
After a 6 week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programs at USAID.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 10, 2025
The 5200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.
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