USAID Status Updates: What is Happening Now?
Here is news about the status of USAID and our foreign assistance in general. Please refresh this page often. The most current news is at the top.
USAID News Update Index
Hold Government Accountable
US government staff: Please speak up and hold government agencies and officials accountable for this insanity!
You can be a whistleblower and share potential wrongdoing at USAID and State with the staff of Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the Foreign Relations Committee’s Ranking Member.
Please fill out this form
Note that "Minority" in this context refers to the Democratic party as the minority party, not the legal class of people.
Whistleblowers who make protected disclosures to Congress may be protected by U.S. law, including:
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012
New Legislation Introduced to Abolish USAID
New Congressional legislation was introduced last week to abolish USAID and halt all federal funding to the agency.
Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to rescind unobligated taxpayer funds and transfer USAID assets and essential responsibilities to the U.S. Department of State.
🏖️ Suncoast FL People: Call his DC office now: (202) 225-5792
Key Points of the Proposed Legislation:
Abolition of USAID: The bill seeks to dismantle USAID, citing concerns over inefficiency, waste, and ideological bias in its foreign aid programs.
Transfer of Responsibilities: Essential functions and assets of USAID would be transferred to the U.S. Department of State to ensure a streamlined and accountable approach to international engagement.
Rescission of Funds: Unobligated taxpayer funds allocated to USAID would be rescinded under this legislation.
Litigation Tracker for USAID Freeze Lawsuits
February 9 Update: 1 Filed & In Progress, 4 need your help. Please let me know of any new lawsuits planned or filed.
Filed Lawsuits
Lawsuit on USAID dissolution: American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) sued to restore currently frozen funding/operations and block placing USAID staff on administrative leave. Read introduction PDF (4 pages) below.
Status: Federal judge has stopped:
The immediate recall of USIAD Mission staff from around the world
The placing of all USAID staff on administrative leave, or at least union members
Lawsuits in Progress/Need Your Help
Lawsuit on USAID Nonpayment: Contractors (for-profit or non-profit organizations, not individuals) that billed USAID for services but not been paid needed to be co-plaintiffs. If you are C-level staff of stiffed organization, please comment below or contact me at wayan at wayan dot com.
Lawsuit on USAID dissolution: Institutional Support Contractors who lost their jobs are needed to provide information or potentially serve as plaintiffs. Please contact Karla Gilbride at kgilbride@citizen.org.
Lawsuit on USAID dissolution: Organizations affected by the turmoil at USAID (not the stop work order) are needed to potentially serve as plaintiffs. An example of this might be an organization that is trying to reach their USAID contact to learn whether they qualify for the PEPFAR waiver, but can't reach that person. Please contact Karla Gilbride at kgilbride@citizen.org.
Lawsuit on USAID stop work order: A State-department grantee is needed as one of two plaintiffs. The other plaintiff is a USAID-grantee. If you can help, please contact Lauren Bateman at lbateman@citizen.org.
How can you help?
Join the lawsuits as aggrieved parties with standing. Contact those above if you qualify.
Amplify these cases with your Congressional representatives. Call their offices, ask for meetings, be detailed and persistent.
Contact your lawyer and see how you can sue too.
USAID Staff Recall Status: Frequently Asked Questions
Updated February 8
Answers to questions on what's happening to USAID direct hire personnel overseas. The answers are based on multiple messages from confirmed FSOs. I'm told this is the most, and most accurate info for FSOs.
Please send to direct hires overseas to help them plan for their return.
1️⃣ Do all staff have to come back now?
USAID website now says staff will be offered fully reimbursed return travel to the United States within 30 days. If you stay overseas past 30 days, good luck!
2️⃣ Who has to come back?
Everyone "nonessential" So only COs EXOs and maybe RLO MD DMD stay to turn out the lights. Press reports say only 290-600 can stay on globally.
3️⃣ What is the exemption process?
USAID website says staff with kids in school would be exempted, but there is no process and much confusion. Possibly very, very few exemptions.
4️⃣ Can staff stay till the end of their visas?
Potentially they can, but the US Embassy could revoke visas once employment ends, which seems to be in 30 days.
5️⃣ Who is paying for flights?
USAID website says USG is, however there is much confusion on how (all USAID payments are frozen) and rumors of potential military plane usage.
6️⃣ Where are staff going in the USA? DC or home of record?
Some say DC if on administrative leave, others say home of record. Only one confirmed flight I know of - a surprise trip to DC.