**WASHINGTON—**Today, **U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee,** Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), issued the following statement after United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator Peter Marocco met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee members:
“After this meeting with Peter Marocco, we have more questions than answers. We would welcome a thoughtful review of foreign assistance programs to ensure impact and value, but what Mr. Marocco advanced today was a political narrative rather than a process based on thoughtful metrics, timelines or attention to U.S. national security priorities, including the health and safety of Americans.
“During the meeting, Mr. Marocco could not answer why he has not implemented the waivers for lifesaving assistance that Secretary Rubio supports. While Mr. Marocco claims that his goal is to root out fraud and waste, he provided no evidence of such to the Committee. What is true is that millions in U.S. farm commodities and medicines for desperate people are going to waste because payments are not being made to support their transportation or distribution.
"Foreign assistance programs were built by Congress on a bipartisan basis because they keep Americans safer, stronger and more prosperous—which we’ve heard time and again is a priority of this administration. Let’s be clear: what’s happening under Mr. Marocco is not reform—it is a wrecking ball that violates the law and makes our country less safe while compromising our values, creating opportunities for our adversaries and abandoning decades long partnerships.
“We are demanding more information on Mr. Marocco’s actions as part of our oversight responsibilities, and we expect answers.”
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