Van Hollen, Sullivan Ask Tillerson for Details of State Department and USAID Staff Changes
Today U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), co-chairs of the Senate Foreign Service Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressing concerns about plans for potential staffing cuts at the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, and seeking information on how those cuts would impact our national security.
"We support reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)," the Senators wrote to Secretary Tillerson. "We are concerned, however, by reports of plans to cut thousands of positions at State Department and USAID and to eliminate missions worldwide, prior to undertaking this strategic review and identifying associated foreign policy objectives."
The Senators continued, "Our embassies, consulates, and USAID missions enable us to prevent conflicts, to respond quickly and effectively when crises emerge, and to work hand-in-hand with the Department of Defense to transition countries from conflict to stability."
The Senators requested a briefing on the State Department's proposed restructuring plan within 30 days, as well as responses to several specific inquiries, including how proposed cuts will support U.S. efforts to combat the Islamic State. Senator Van Hollen is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. Senator Sullivan is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Secretary Tillerson:
As co-chairs of the Senate Foreign Service Caucus, we write to underscore that our nation depends on the State Department to confront challenges worldwide. Our diplomatic and development corps, the finest in the world, are essential in preserving American strength and influence abroad. American diplomatic engagement abroad translates directly into the security and prosperity of Americans at home, a point consistently supported by our military leaders.
On March 13, President Trump released an executive order calling for a comprehensive plan for reorganizing the executive branch. We support reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). We are concerned, however, by reports of plans to cut thousands of positions at State Department and USAID and to eliminate missions worldwide, prior to undertaking this strategic review and identifying associated foreign policy objectives.
Our embassies, consulates, and USAID missions enable us to prevent conflicts, to respond quickly and effectively when crises emerge, and to work hand-in-hand with the Department of Defense to transition countries from conflict to stability. For instance, our long-term State Department and USAID presences in West Africa enabled us to deploy quickly in response to the Ebola outbreak of 2014. USAID led the U.S. Government's on-the-ground response, leveraging longstanding relationships with local authorities and organizations. The State Department led efforts to mobilize the international response to the crisis, including through the provision of resources to international humanitarian organizations. Ultimately, our aggressive, civilian-led response saved lives and helped prevent the spread of this tragic epidemic to the United States.
We respectfully request that you provide a briefing on your proposed plans to reorganize the State Department and USAID within 30 days. We also seek the following information:
· The human resources plan for the State Department and USAID, including plans for identifying the skills and experience necessary to perform tasks and accomplish missions;
· The rationale for organizational changes, including the merging or elimination of offices at the State Department or USAID;
· A regional assessment of how proposed organizational changes support U.S. foreign policy objectives;
· An assessment of how proposed organizational changes will impact U.S. efforts to counter the Islamic State; and,
· The costs associated with proposed buyouts of personnel, and the role outsourcing will play in the proposed reductions in staff.
We look forward to working with you on this important issue.
Sincerely,
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