Rep. Adam Smith on the legality of the foreign aid freeze

U.S. foreign aid is in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. Workers at USAID woke up on Wednesday to an order putting nearly all personnel of the foreign assistance agency on administrative leave starting Friday. This follows a day-one executive order by the President to “reevaluate” foreign aid the United States sends so that it aligns with his “America First” agenda. Within the week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio put a stop-work order on all foreign aid. That was later amended to exempt “life-saving” assistance like food and medicine, but employees and contractors say it isn’t clear which programs qualify for waivers. It’s left organizations that provide services like HIV treatment, famine relief, and landmine removals scrambling to make sense of what comes next. However, there are vocal critics of the new administration’s foreign aid policy. Democratic lawmakers rallied at USAID headquarters on Tuesday and are questioning the legality of the plan. Guest:Congressman Adam Smith of Washington’s 9th District and ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee. Related links:Landmine removal group pauses work after foreign aid freeze Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.