Rep. Mike Lawler Questions State Dept. Official on Funding to Antisemitic Entities

Status of Therapeutic Food Orders

• ❓ Congressman Lawler inquired about the status of orders for ready-to-use therapeutic foods, noting that no orders have been processed this year and manufacturers are at risk of closing.
• 🤝 Deputy Secretary Rigas stated he was unfamiliar with the issue but would investigate and provide a response expeditiously.

Afghan Relocation Efforts

• ✈️ The State Department's office for Afghan relocation efforts is processing SIV visas, with care functions being moved to regional bureaus, specifically the South Central Asia desk.
• 👥 Approximately 1,200 individuals have been admitted under this program since the administration began, and visa processing continues.
• ⚠️ While the program continues, the focus has shifted to harder cases, with about 400,000 Afghans admitted via SIVs, suggesting lower numbers of future admissions.

Preventing Funding to Antisemitic Entities

• 🚫 Rep. Lawler raised concerns about past funding to entities promoting antisemitism, citing an antisemitic rapper and ENRA's work.
• 💡 The elimination of USAID as a foreign aid institution and the proposed "America First Opportunity Fund" for FY26 are highlighted as steps to ensure accountability in foreign assistance distribution.
• 🏛️ The "America First Opportunity Fund" is intended to be at the discretion of the Secretary, with multiple layers of accountability including congressional oversight and the Inspector General, ultimately to the American voter.