U.S. bishops urge Catholics to petition Congress to halt foreign funding freeze

CNA Staff, Jan 31, 2025 / 16:25 pm (CNA).

The U.S. bishops have asked Catholics to reach out to their members of Congress and request the resumption of foreign aid programs following the Trump-Vance administration’s decision to temporarily pause funding for many programs pending review.

The USCCB and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the USCCB’s international charitable arm, released an action alert on Thursday urging Catholics to contact their elected officials.

“Your help is urgently needed! Let your members of Congress know that you are deeply concerned about the administration’s recent decision to stop work on almost all U.S. foreign assistance programs,” the alert read.

“This freeze will be detrimental to millions of our sisters and brothers who need access to lifesaving humanitarian, health, and development assistance,” it continued.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Jan. 26 a 90-day freeze of U.S. foreign assistance funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department following an executive order from President Donald Trump.

Rubio exempted emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the aid pause but has since expanded the exemptions to include programs that provide lifesaving medicine, medical services, food, shelters, and subsistence assistance.

The White House also ordered federal agencies on Monday to pause federal grants and loans amid a flurry of executive actions from President Donald Trump. A U.S. district judge temporarily blocked the order on Tuesday, and by Wednesday the administration walked back the directive following widespread confusion but did not revoke the federal funding freeze.

Both freezes are designed to help the new administration review its programs and ensure the programs are in compliance with the recent executive orders. However, charity nonprofits such as Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services have objected, citing concerns about necessary humanitarian aid being cut off.

“The administration has begun to issue immediate stop work orders on almost all foreign aid as they review State Department and USAID programs between now and April 20,” the alert from the USCCB and CRS read.

“New administrations usually review ongoing programs against their policy goals. However, ceasing almost all lifesaving humanitarian and development assistance during that time will have real impacts for human life and dignity and on U.S. national interests.”

“As people of faith, let us stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers in need,” the alert continued. “Tell Congress to engage with the administration to continue allowing foreign assistance programs to operate during the review process.”

CRS noted that their aid gives infants access to clean water, enables farmers to feed their families, and ensures children receive critical medications.

“U.S. foreign aid is not a handout. It has real impact on human life and dignity and advances U.S national interests,” the alert read. “It provides lifesaving assistance in emergencies and supports long-term development programs that help families and communities build resilience, reducing the need for humanitarian aid in the future.”

In a Jan. 26 statement, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson noted that “President Trump stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.”

“Reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, it is a moral imperative,” the statement read. “The secretary is proud to protect America’s investment with a deliberate and judicious review of how we spend foreign assistance dollars overseas.”

Earlier this week Catholic Charities USA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson released a statement urging the new administration to “rethink” the proposed halt in domestic federal financial assistance.

“The millions of Americans who rely on this life-giving support will suffer due to the unprecedented effort to freeze federal aid supporting these programs,” Robinson said. “The people who will lose access to crucial care are our neighbors and family members. They live in every corner of the country and represent all races, religions, and political affiliations.”