Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, released a statement on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s closed-door roundtable with Trump Administration official Pete Marocco on the illegal dismantling of U.S. foreign assistance and national security programs. 

The discussion comes more than a month after Democrats requested a briefing from Administration officials on the dismantling of USAID and the erosion of American influence worldwide. In that time, the Trump Administration has haphazardly paused, waived, terminated and reinstated key programs essential to U.S. global leadership—without providing explanation on the criteria used to evaluate them or a clear list of which programs have been affected.

“The Trump Administration’s reckless approach to foreign assistance undermines America’s moral leadership and global stability,” said Representative Bera. “Their lack of transparency in cutting critical programs puts lives at risk, including those threatened by disease, hunger and violence.”

“Halting lifesaving aid without clear justification isn’t just irresponsible—it’s unlawful,” Bera continued. “The Administration owes the American public answers that Mr. Marocco did not provide today, including what programs they have terminated, what remains and how these measures make America safer, stronger or more prosperous. Addressing global health crises and instability abroad is not just an act of goodwill—it’s essential to our own national security. I urge the Administration to uphold the values that have long defined American leadership on the world stage.”