SE Valley Times

Rep. Greg Stanton, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Arizona's 4th district, has recently expressed his concerns on social media regarding the potential shutdown of USAID. In a series of tweets, he highlighted the implications such an action would have on America's global leadership and influence.

On February 3, 2025, Rep. Stanton stated that "Shutting down USAID is not about efficiency—it’s about undermining America’s global leadership." He criticized former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk for their roles in this decision, emphasizing that it could weaken U.S. safety and allow China to gain more ground internationally.

In another tweet posted on the same day, Stanton addressed misconceptions about foreign aid spending by stating that "foreign aid makes up a large portion of U.S. federal spending" is inaccurate as it only constitutes "a little more than half of 1%" of the budget. He argued that this small investment is crucial for maintaining U.S. global leadership.

Additionally, Stanton highlighted USAID's role in addressing global migration issues by explaining how "USAID works to slow global migration by going after its root causes—teaching the farming and entrepreneurship skills" necessary for individuals to sustain themselves within their own countries rather than risking dangerous journeys to other borders.