Rubio defends temporary U.S. foreign aid freeze, says waivers protect lifesaving programs

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s recent, temporary freeze on selected foreign‑assistance programs and described a waiver process intended to exempt life‑saving or strategically important programs.

"We froze foreign aid so that we can review those programs," Rubio said. He said the waiver process exists to allow continued funding for programs that are life saving or that advance U.S. national security, and that waivers had been issued for programs assisting Costa Rica to stop drugs and identify threats. "If it saves lives, if it's emergency life saving aid, food, medicine, whatever, they have a waiver," he said.

Rubio criticized aspects of USAID program delivery, saying in some cases multiple contractors and overhead reduce the share of funds reaching intended recipients. He cited USAID figures, saying in some instances "10, 12, 13%, maybe less of the money was actually reaching the recipient," and said the administration will insist on aid that "furthers the national interest of the United States."

He emphasized support for foreign aid that demonstrably advances U.S. security and prosperity but said programs that do not should be eliminated or reconsidered. Rubio also repeated that the temporary freeze was accompanied by waivers to prevent immediate humanitarian harm.

The press exchange did not provide new budget totals, contract names, or a public list of all waiver recipients; Rubio criticized organizations that he said do not understand the waiver process or may be "deliberately sabotaging" it. He said the freeze and review will be used to align aid with stated U.S. objectives for the region.