Rep. Jefferson Shreve Questions State Dept. Official on Restructuring US Foreign Aid

Constituent Service and Trade Focus

• 👏 Rep. Jefferson Shreve acknowledged the State Department's extraordinary job in assisting a constituent with an urgent visa case over a weekend.
• 🎯 Shreve noted that the department's stated focus on trade over aid resonates well with his constituents in Indiana's sixth district.

Restructuring US Foreign Assistance

• 📌 Shreve questioned Deputy Secretary Rigas on how to reorient and restructure US foreign assistance given decades of legislative directives and authorized programs.
• 💡 Rigas stated that foreign assistance should be tied to American foreign policy objectives or presidential priorities, emphasizing a return on investment that enhances American safety, strength, or prosperity.

Foreign Aid for Economic Benefit

• 💰 Rigas explained that foreign assistance could be justified for job development or training if it leads to a significant economic benefit for the United States, citing an example where a $1 million investment could yield $100 million back for American businesses or jobs.
• 🤝 Assistance can also be directed towards helping countries facilitate remigration or serve as safe third countries, thereby relieving potential economic burdens.
• ✅ Shreve appreciated Rigas's work and acknowledged that the recent USAID cuts must have been painful.