Congress Reviews USAID Operations as DOGE Proposes Overhaul

House and Senate hearings focus on foreign aid spending and potential reorganization under the State Department.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Homeland Security Committee held hearings on USAID's operations and foreign aid spending on February 13, 2025.
The hearings follow scrutiny from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, over alleged waste in USAID's programs and grants.
Republican leaders, including Rep. Brian Mast, support a proposal to place USAID under the purview of the State Department, now led by Acting Secretary Marco Rubio.
Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation to counter the administration's efforts to reorganize or dismantle USAID.
Key witnesses at the hearings included former USAID officials and representatives from conservative think tanks, providing testimony on foreign aid efficiency.