Isolationists and ultra-conservatives thought they had scored a victory last week when President Trump initially agreed to cut U.S. foreign aid. Though the proposed $4 billion is less than one-tenth of one percent of the federal budget, White House acting budget director Russ Vought and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told the president international aid is little more than wasteful spending.
Yes, our national debt promises to cripple future generations. But no, such cuts do nothing to address that problem.
FROM THE GET-GO, the measure to rescind the budget line item carried hints of deceit.
First, it went behind the back of Congress, which had already approved spending for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. Second, the administration planned to submit the rescission before Congress on vacation until Sept. 9 had time to act before the fiscal year ends next month.
Congressional Republicans and Democratics were not pleased. Those on foreign relations committees said such cuts could undermine American diplomacy.
Others said it could disrupt upcoming fiscal 2020 spending talks, with a deadline of Sept. 30 to pass at least a stripped-down stopgap measure to avert yet another partial government shutdown.
IN THEIR short-sightedness, White House aides chose to overlook such ramifications.
U.S. aid not only helps struggling countries but also boosts our standing with overseas partners.
The aid supports global health and education programs, creates international narcotics control measures and promotes peacekeeping activities. All these measures work to develop strong U.S. diplomatic relations, including the fight against terrorism and the resurgence of ISIS.
Foreign aid also creates economic opportunities for millions in poverty as well as address human rights issues.
Given President Trumps obsession with slowing immigration, one would hope he understands the importance of building stronger countries south of our border, not weaker ones.
Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin could see that bigger picture and lobbied against the cuts along with a bipartisan consensus in Congress.
The president, however, favors isolationist America first policies, and as such was inclined to endorse the plan.
In the end, Mr. Trump yielded to strong bipartisan pressure to abandon the plan, recognizing the uphill battle in securing Congresss necessary approval.
