Vice Ranking Member Amo Blasts Secretary Rubio’s Failure to Respond

WASHINGTON, DC — Vice Ranking Member Gabe Amo (RI-01) released the following statement in response to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s failure to respond to his previous letter requesting guidance on how aid organizations can use humanitarian waivers to access critical foreign aid.

“I asked Secretary Rubio to clarify the waiver process to avoid the continued chaos of this foreign aid freeze, but he did not respond by my deadline. The Trump-imposed waivers are only effective if there is clarity on how to use them, but he proved that the waivers are mostly empty promises,” said Congressman Gabe Amo, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Foreign aid helps remove land mines, support refugees, and alleviate global famine. It should never be held up for political posturing. The State Department must immediately rescind their ‘stop-work’ orders, provide clarity on the waiver process, fulfill commitments to existing contracts, restore key personnel who carry out this work, and end the chaos currently roiling the international non-profit community.”   

BACKGROUND

On January 31, 2025, Vice Ranking Member Amo sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubioexpressing concern that the waivers announced by Secretary Rubio for humanitarian assistance did not provide clarity for aid organizations and contributed to the confusion caused by the foreign aid freeze. The letter requested a plan for how aid organizations should interpret the waiver by February 7, 2025. Secretary Rubio did not respond to this request, nor did he provide any guidance by this deadline.

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Amo has advocated for essential humanitarian aid to support malnourished children with Ready-To-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs).

FULL LETTER TEXT BELOW

The Honorable Marco Rubio Secretary of State

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rubio:

I write to follow up on a recent letter dated January 27, 2025, which expresses opposition to “stopping critical foreign assistance.” Since the administration’s initial pause on nearly all U.S. foreign assistance last week, international projects supporting health programs, educating children, providing critical food assistance, and all other humanitarian programs have been in jeopardy. The limited nature of your Emergency Humanitarian Wavier to Foreign Assistance Pause dated January 28, 2025, has created more confusion around foreign assistance programs that support our diplomatic and national security priorities.

Aid organizations have reported that they have not received updated guidance from the State Department, forcing them to pause their essential work and consider laying off their staff. For example, organizations that produce and distribute Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, one of the most effective nutrition treatments for severe malnutrition, are unsure if they qualify for this waiver. Additionally, organizations responsible for implementing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, are unsure how to interpret the waiver and many have been forced to stop their lifesaving work.

To help provide clarity on this waiver and to avoid continued chaos and confusion for foreign assistance programs, I request by February 7, 2025, an actual plan that includes details for how aid organizations should interpret the waiver. 

While I urge you to fully rescind the underlying pause, I hope you can provide clarity for those left out in the dark.

Sincerely,