Yesterday, we joined more than 75 leading faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights groups urging Congress to reject the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle foreign assistance that is meeting urgent human needs around the globe.
What is happening? After illegally ending foreign aid programs, the Trump administration is now officially requesting that Congress endorses dramatic cuts by rescinding already-appropriated funding.
If allowed to stand, the proposal would be an unconstitutional abuse of power with devastating consequences.
What is at stake?
The lives and health of millions of people: These foreign aid cuts have already led to suffering and preventable deaths across the globe.
They are taking away food, medical care, lifesaving reproductive health programs, and humanitarian aid from the most vulnerable people while harming efforts to stop the spread of infectious diseases. Without Congressional action to stop these cuts, countless more lives will be put at risk.
Peace, stability, and U.S. security: The administration’s proposal won’t just be felt abroad. As Uzra Zeya of Human Rights First explained, gutting foreign assistance “will make Americans less safe and fuel instability and injustice that endanger U.S. national security and prosperity for years to come.”
The rights and safety of women and girls: Melanie Nezer of Women’s Refugee Commission explained that the impacts will be felt most by vulnerable women and girls. Millions of them will be abandoned to face “violence, famine, and death” without U.S. assistance.
Our values: These massive aid cuts are an assault on our national values and our faith which calls us to protect the most vulnerable.
“As an organization grounded in the Quaker belief in the inherent dignity and worth of each person, FCNL strongly opposes [these] cruel cuts,” FCNL’s Ursala Knudsen-Latta said. “This rescission package is diametrically opposed to Christ’s call to love thy neighbor, without exceptions.”
What is needed now? Congress can stop this cruel proposal. But we need your help to make sure Congress hears our message loud and clear.
Elsewhere
Aid for Gaza
This week, the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the Israeli government, began to operate in Gaza. It led to chaos and deadly violence against Palestinians seeking food. FCNL’s Hassan El-Tayyab explained how this new mechanism that puts aid under the control of armed actors is “not a solution,” but “part of the problem.”
Two bills were also introduced in Congress to support peace work in Gaza. The first is a resolution calling on the Trump administration to push for full humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of the hostages. Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-3) has also introduced legislation to stop offensive weapon shipments that are enabling the Israeli government’s bombardment and starvation of Palestinians.
What can you do? We have seen handwritten letters move members of Congress before, specifically on peace in Gaza. Commit to writing letters today!
Trump Reinstates and Expands Travel Ban
President Donals Trump has reinstated and extended his first-term travel ban, continuing his discriminatory and dehumanizing treatment of immigrants. It heavily restricts people from 19 nations from entering the United States. This is completely unnecessary – as FCNL’s Anika Forrest puts it, “The U.S. government can safeguard its sovereignty and national security interests without shunning entire populations of people and tearing families apart.”
“Our belief that the divine lives within every person continues to inspire a commitment to freedom and human rights for all people,” FCNL’s Bridget Moix explained, “no matter their country of origin or how they arrived in our country.”
As Oligarchs Feud, Millions Risk Losing Healthcare and Food Assistance
Elon Musk and President Trump had a falling out this week in part sparked by the budget reconciliation bill (HR 1). It was passed by the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate.
We should not get distracted by the Musk-Trump drama: this reconciliation bill is horrible. It would slash food assistance and Medicaid and cut clean energy tax credits to fund more deportations and give more tax benefits to wealthy people.
We can stop this bill in the Senate. The margins are incredibly thin. Please reach out to your senators today to urge them to reject this ugly bill.
