VOA News: Lawmakers Question Foreign Development Aid Chief on Impact of U.S. Budget Cuts
“Proposed cuts in the 2019 foreign assistance budget could jeopardize U.S. security and democracy-building efforts abroad, U.S. lawmakers warned the director for the U.S. Agency for International Development at a hearing Wednesday…” (Gypson, 3/21).

Washington Post: Head of USAID defends big cuts in foreign aid budget
“…The criticisms arose as Mark Green, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about [proposed cuts] in his budget … As it did last year, the Trump administration is encountering bipartisan resistance to steep reductions for diplomacy and foreign aid. … ‘I readily admit this budget does not allow us to do everything we might want to do in a perfect world, and it does not allow us to take on every opportunity we might see,’ [Green] said. ‘The president is attempting to balance what he sees is needed for the security of our citizens, advancing American leadership and our commitment to efficiency and effectiveness’…” (Morello, 3/21).

Washington Times: USAID funding ‘shouldn’t be shorted,’ Rep. Ed Royce says
“The Republican head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee sharply criticized President Trump’s proposal to cut USAID funding … Wednesday, saying the reduction will negatively impact American-led efforts to combat terrorists, address future health threats, and promote democracy around the world. ‘These efforts shouldn’t be shorted,’ said Rep. Ed Royce of California, who lamented the proposed cuts come ‘at a time when more than 65 million people have been displaced by conflict and famine looms in at least four countries’…” (Taylor, 3/21).