Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid
This executive order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid” directs a broad pause and review of U.S. foreign development assistance to ensure alignment with the President’s foreign policy. It declares that the current foreign aid apparatus is misaligned with American interests and values, and it establishes a 90-day pause on new obligations and disbursements of development funds to foreign governments, NGOs, international organizations, and contractors. During the pause, agencies must review each program for efficiency and consistency with the President’s policy, with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) enforcing the pause. After reviews, agencies—working with the Secretary of State and OMB—must decide whether to continue, modify, or cease each program. The Secretary of State can waive the pause for specific programs, and there is a pathway to resume or redirect funding prior to the full 90 days if reviews support continuing the program. The order emphasizes that it does not create rights enforceable in court and must operate within existing law and appropriations.
Key Points
- 190-day pause on new development assistance: All heads of responsible departments/agencies must suspend new obligations and disbursements of foreign development funds to foreign countries, NGOs, international organizations, and contractors to allow program reviews.
- 2Mandated program reviews: Each foreign assistance program must be reviewed under guidelines set by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Director of the OMB to assess efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.
- 3Determinations and possible outcomes: Within 90 days, agencies must decide whether to continue, modify, or cease each program, with their decisions requiring concurrence from the Secretary of State.
- 4Resumption or restraint after reviews: Funding may resume before the 90-day period ends if reviews support continuation (in original or modified form). New programs require approval by the Secretary of State (or designee) in consultation with the Director of the OMB.
- 5Waivers and general provisions: The Secretary of State can waive the pause for specific programs. The order clarifies it does not alter statutory authorities or the functions of the Director of OMB, and it operates subject to applicable law and available appropriations. It also states that the order does not create enforceable rights.