DWC Members Reps Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Sara Jacobs Lead a Group of Democratic Members of Congress in Denouncing the Trump Administration’s Actions Towards USAID
CONTACT:
Lizzie Johnson, lizzie.johnson@mail.house.gov (DWC)
Clara Benice, clara.benice@mail.house.gov (Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick)
Lauren McIlvaine, Lauren.mcilvaine@mail.house.gov (Rep. Jacobs)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Women’s Caucus Global Women’s Issues Task Force Chair Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) and Member Services Task Force Co-Chair Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) led a letter of 56 Democratic Members of Congress expressing deep concern around the Trump administration’s recent actions towards the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and highlighting the devastating impact on women and girls across the world. The cuts and chaos have already resulted in women losing access to lifesaving health care, gender-based violence prevention, economic development, food assistance programs, and more.
Among the programs impacted by the Trump administration’s proposed gutting of USAID are many projects that provide critical support and funding to women and girls worldwide. USAID, traditionally with bipartisan support, funds initiatives that improve women and children’s health, safety, and economic security around the world, including gender inequality. The Members of Congress explained:
“USAID works to tackle the underlying causes of gender inequality and subsequent gender-based violence (GBV), strengthen legal protections for victims, and ensure survivors can access justice, security, and economic resources… At a time when women and girls are disproportionately affected by global conflicts, climate crises, and economic instability, continued programmatic and financial support in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, amongst many others, are essential to combating global health challenges.”
The Trump administration’s cuts to USAID will result in real suffering and death for women and families across the globe, the Members explained:
“The repercussions of these actions will be felt in the form of increased maternal and child mortality, reduced access to education, economic hardship, and heightened vulnerabilities to gender-based violence and exploitation of women.”
“The United States has long been a global leader in championing the rights and opportunities of women and girls, and we must not waver in this commitment now,” the Members continued. “We demand that you take immediate action to protect USAID and funding for women and girls.”
Read the full letter here and below.
February 14, 2025
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Trump,
We write to you today with deep concern regarding your Administration’s actions to undermine the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), thus eliminating programs and projects that directly support women and girls worldwide.
USAID programs to address women in developing countries were first authorized in 1973 under the “Percy Amendment” as part of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, which necessitates that foreign assistance funds work to integrate women into the national economies of developing countries. This enacted legislation recognizes gender inequality as a global policy issue and supports efforts focusing on healthcare, education, and policy improvements. USAID works to tackle the underlying causes of gender inequality and subsequent gender-based violence (GBV), strengthen legal protections for victims, and ensure survivors can access justice, security, and economic resources. These efforts contribute to the prevention of violence and the development of stronger, more sustainable and empowering communities.
Countries in which USAID operates are experiencing turmoil, including violent organized crime, widespread corruption, and the growing displacement of women and families. USAID supports health, education, and governance programs to support women and girls around the world. In fact, this work has enjoyed longstanding bipartisan support, including support from the White House during your first term. Despite long-standing bipartisan support for USAID initiatives that fight violence against women and girls, the proposed elimination of USAID and its funding would roll back years of progress across the globe and violate U.S. law.
The repercussions of these actions will be felt in the form of increased maternal and child mortality, reduced access to education, economic hardship, and heightened vulnerabilities to gender based violence and exploitation of women. At a time when women and girls are disproportionately affected by global conflicts, climate crises, and economic instability, continued programmatic and financial support in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Syria Ukraine, Haiti, and Democratic Republic of Congo amongst many others are essential to combatting global health challenges. The United States has long been a global leader in championing the rights and opportunities of women and girls, and we must not waver in this commitment now.
We demand that you take immediate action to protect USAID and funding for women and girls.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
In addition to Democratic Women’s Caucus Global Women’s Issues Task Force Chair Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Member Services Task Force Co-Chair Sara Jacobs, the letter was signed by: Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Linda T. Sánchez, Jonathan L. Jackson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Nydia M. Velázquez, Pramila Jayapal, Jan Schakowsky, Terri A. Sewell, Ilhan Omar, April McClain Delaney, Delia C. Ramirez, Jasmine Crockett, Madeleine Dean, Betty McCollum, Robin L. Kelly, Deborah K. Ross, Raúl M. Grijalva, Stephen F. Lynch, Dina Titus, Salud Carbajal, John B. Larson, Nikema Williams, Emilia Strong Sykes, LaMonica McIver, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chellie Pingree, Gerald E. Connolly, Rashida Tlaib, Mary Gay Scanlon, Sarah McBride, Yvette D. Clarke, Gwen S. Moore, Diana DeGette, Jahana Hayes, Doris Matsui, Julia Brownley, Jill Tokuda, Jennifer L. McClellan, Sylvia R. Garcia, Laura Friedman, Judy Chu, Kweisi Mfume, Kathy Castor, Becca Balint, Mark DeSaulnier, Mikie Sherrill, Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, Lori Trahan, Yassamin Ansari, Frederica S. Wilson, Joyce Beatty, Hillary J. Scholten, and Summer L. Lee.