North Austin News

U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently addressed concerns about USAID's allocation of taxpayer dollars under the Biden administration during a committee hearing. McCaul criticized several programs he had previously attempted to halt, questioning their alignment with U.S. interests.

"When I was chairman of this committee, I got congressional notifications of the spending from USAID and the State Department and I put holds on those programs — many listed by the chairman," McCaul stated. He expressed discontent over what he described as disregard for oversight responsibilities by proceeding with these initiatives despite his objections.

McCaul cited specific examples, including $1.5 million allocated to promote LGBTQ causes in Latin America, which he found "very offensive" as a Catholic. He also mentioned $15 million spent on condoms and contraceptives in Afghanistan and $500,000 aimed at advancing atheism in Nepal, questioning how these expenditures furthered U.S. interests abroad.

Furthermore, McCaul referenced a controversial program involving $20,000 for drag shows in Ecuador. "It is utterly disgusting to the American taxpayer that we are funding that kind of behavior," he remarked.

Reflecting on USAID's original purpose, McCaul emphasized its role in countering global threats like terrorism and rising powers such as China. He highlighted successful historical programs like PEPFAR and Food for Peace but criticized current policies as misaligned with USAID's core mission due to what he termed the "Biden administration's woke agenda."

Former Representative Ted Yoho (R-Fla.) responded to McCaul’s inquiries regarding USAID’s mission creep: "I think what you see over a period of time is a mission creep...some of the programs that you guys mentioned...and that loses trust." Yoho affirmed his belief in maintaining USAID's core mission under proper supervision from the State Department.

McCaul concluded by emphasizing national security interests tied to maintaining USAID’s foundational goals: "If we don't do that, we cede that leadership to other people."