In a sweeping effort to rein in wasteful spending, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has led a rigorous review of grants and awards at the State Department and USAID, resulting in an astounding $60 billion in taxpayer savings.
This decisive action marks a significant shift in the U.S. government's approach to foreign aid, prioritizing efficiency and strategic interests over unchecked spending.
According to an internal document obtained by The Daily Wire, the State Department meticulously examined over 9,100 grants totaling nearly $15.9 billion. Following an exhaustive review process, career Foreign Service Officers, along with senior political leadership—including Rubio himself—identified over 4,100 grants worth $4.4 billion for elimination.
This represents a 28 percent reduction in total grant value over just 15 days, underscoring the administration’s commitment to cutting unnecessary expenditures.
However, the most dramatic cuts came from USAID, where more than 6,000 multi-year awards with $58 billion in outstanding payments were scrutinized. The review, led by USAID leadership with direct oversight from Rubio, ultimately resulted in the elimination of nearly 5,800 awards, amounting to $54 billion in savings. This staggering 92 percent reduction in remaining award value highlights the depth of inefficiency that had taken root within the agency.
Despite expected opposition from the political Left and mainstream media, the review did not indiscriminately slash all funding. Rubio and his team ensured that critical programs remained intact—particularly those vital to U.S. strategic interests.
Essential humanitarian aid, such as food assistance and life-saving treatments for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, was preserved. Likewise, targeted support for key nations, including Lebanon, Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba, remained in place, ensuring that American foreign aid continues to serve both humanitarian and geopolitical purposes.
This aggressive overhaul is part of a broader, 90-day initiative spearheaded by Rubio to fundamentally rethink U.S. foreign assistance. Moving forward, the State Department plans to collaborate directly with Congress to reform the way aid is allocated and delivered.
Every dollar spent will now be assessed against a strict set of criteria, ensuring that U.S. foreign assistance contributes to making the nation safer, stronger, and more prosperous.