On his first day in office, President Trump ordered a sweeping freeze on all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days. By the end of February, this action had led to the abrupt termination of more than 90% of grants and contracts managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department.

As people of faith, we are called to care for our neighbors, especially those facing extreme hardship. While a new administration has the right to review existing policies, halting nearly all humanitarian and development assistance in the process is causing widespread harm. Millions of lives are at risk as programs that provide food, medical care, and support for peace and stability are suddenly cut off.

This funding freeze undermines U.S. national security, disrupts years of bipartisan progress, and weakens critical laws passed with broad support—including the Global Fragility Act, the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act, the Women, Peace and Security Act, and the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act. These laws support conflict prevention, empower women in peacebuilding, and protect communities from mass atrocities.

Rather than making America safer or more respected, this decision isolates us from international partnerships, damages our credibility, and threatens jobs here at home—especially among nonprofits, small businesses, and faith-based organizations that implement these programs.

Take Action: Urge your members of Congress to:

• Demand the immediate resumption of U.S. foreign assistance programs
• Oppose any efforts to rescind previously appropriated foreign aid
• Fully fund the FY26 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill

U.S. foreign assistance is not just an investment in global peace—it’s a reflection of our values and our responsibility. Lives depend on it. Congress must act now.