Sen. Collins Urges Administration to Spend Global Health Programs Funding
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Eric Ueland, Chief Operating Officer and Performing the Duties of Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), asking them to ensure the remaining Global Health Programs funding is spent, citing lifesaving programs.
Read the full letter:
Dear Secretary Rubio, Director Vought, and Mr. Ueland:
I write to urge you to ensure that funding appropriated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for Global Health Programs (GHP) is spent on lifesaving programs that protect maternal and child health and counter infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
I understand that approximately $1.3 billion of remaining FY25 GHP funding will expire on September 30th unless obligated. Current law, however, provides a mechanism to extend the period in which the funding can be spent if USAID enters into a formal agreement with the Department of State to perform the work (22 U.S.C. 2392(b)). I urge USAID to ensure that the funding is spent to combat public health threats consistent with congressional intent, either by obligating the funding prior to the end of the fiscal year or transferring funds to the Department for such purposes.
I am aware of conflicting reports that USAID may have plans to obligate the remaining GHP funds for unknown closeout costs in future fiscal years. As you know, agencies are required to obligate funds when they incur an actual legal liability, such as entering into a contract or an interagency agreement. Conversely, agencies may not obligate funds where a liability has yet to arise, such as potential litigation or settlements thereof. Please confirm whether USAID intends to use the remaining GHP funds for their intended purposes before the end of this fiscal year.
Thank you for your consideration of this issue. I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Collins
Chair
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