Congressman criticizes USAID grants amid escalating global instability

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations held a subcommittee hearing on May 20, 2025, to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of State. A significant focus of the discussion was the effectiveness and allocation of funds within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the hearing, some committee members expressed strong criticism of USAID's recent expenditures, highlighting specific grants that they deemed inappropriate. These included a $70,000 grant for a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) musical production in Ireland, $69,000 for dance classes in Wuhan, China, and $2 million for LGBT activism in Guatemala. Critics argued that such spending undermined the agency's credibility and effectiveness, suggesting that it squandered goodwill and resources.

The budget for the State Department has seen a dramatic increase, rising from approximately $41 billion in 2021 to nearly $82 billion in 2025. Despite this increase, some lawmakers questioned whether the world has become safer under this expanded budget. They pointed to ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, as evidence that increased funding has not translated into improved stability.

Concerns were also raised about the implications of mass migration driven by instability in various regions, including Africa and the Middle East. The discussions underscored a growing sentiment among some lawmakers that the current administration's foreign policy and budget priorities may not be effectively addressing the challenges facing the U.S. and its allies.

The hearing concluded with a call for a reevaluation of USAID's priorities and a more strategic approach to international aid, emphasizing the need for effective crisis prevention rather than reactive measures. The outcomes of this hearing may influence future budget decisions and the direction of U.S. foreign policy.