The Democratic leadership in Congress warned President Donald Trump on Tuesday that they will use upcoming budget negotiations as a tool to challenge the administration’s changes to U.S. government agencies.
The warnings from the Democrats follow the decision of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, to transfer the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the control of the Department of State earlier this week.
The Trump administration has stated that it is reviewing U.S. aid through USAID to other countries to “ensure it aligns with the ‘America First’ agenda.”
“What DOGE is doing is not democracy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Tuesday. “Democracy is open. It’s not secretive.”
Democrats may oppose some of the recent changes to the U.S. government by withholding their votes for the new government spending bill. The current government budget expires on March 14.
On Monday, Democratic lawmakers from the House of Representatives and Senate protested outside USAID’s closed offices, saying the Trump administration had overstepped its authority.
“If you want to change an agency, you can do that through passing a law,” Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said. “You can’t shut it down with an executive order or take control of an agency’s servers just because you don’t like it. The American system of governance doesn’t work that way.”
The U.S. Agency for International Development manages foreign aid programs worth tens of billions of dollars.
“The Constitution requires that funds appropriated by Congress be spent by the President and his administration,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday. “The Constitution requires the President to faithfully execute the laws. Prior agreements for government spending, approved by Congress, are part of the nation’s laws, and violating them constitutes a breach of the Constitution. That is why a wave of rightful legal challenges has begun.”
Republicans in Congress have expressed support for efforts to eliminate corruption and abuses in the U.S. foreign aid system.
“I don’t think they’re shutting down an agency. They have the right to review the funds and the way decisions are made on foreign aid and which national priorities are being funded,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think this is probably true for every administration. There are many programs authorized and funded by this agency, some of which I think function as intended, and some do not.”
The White House has criticized USAID projects supporting diversity and equality initiatives and other efforts it considers as abuse of taxpayer funds.
“If there’s massive fraud, if funds aren’t being used for the purposes outlined by the laws passed by Congress and signed by the President, then we need to be informed about it,” said Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in interviews with American channels “CNN” and “CBS” on Monday, according to VOA.
“For a long time, I’ve thought USAID is the right way for us to combat the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, through which China is attempting to extend its influence globally, including in Africa, South America, and the Western Hemisphere,” Senator Wicker emphasized.
“We need an aid program that can respond to Chinese efforts, but this must be done in accordance with existing U.S. laws.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that while he supports efforts to eliminate fraud and abuse, he criticized the speed and secrecy of the process.