Here are some of the kids who died because McGuire helped shut off aid
Nicholas Kristof has a gut-wrenching op-ed in the New York Times that puts the lie to the idea that shuttering America’s foreign aid hasn’t affected life-saving programs. Reporting from eastern Africa, he cites the names of people who have died and interviews witnesses who connect their deaths directly to the end of aid programs.
The idea that their actions haven’t led to any deaths has been a talking point from the GOP, one that Rep. McGuire has embraced.
Here’s what his office said in a recent email statement about it (emphasis mine):
Upon assuming office, President Trump implemented a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance pending a review by this Administration, however life-saving emergency programs are not affected by this temporary freeze.
The review conducted by the Administration has revealed that a large portion of USAID’s foreign assistance is not being spent on life-saving programs or endeavors that strengthen our country on a global stage. In fact, according to a USAID blog post in 2021, taxpayer funds were spent to aid Bangladesh in adding a third gender option in its 2021 national census, supporting “gender affirming care” in South Africa, and increasing LGBT political participation in Guatemala.
Federal spending has gotten out of control and the taxpayers have the right to know where their money is being spent. As a fiscal conservative, I strongly support the President and his Administration’s right to investigate how federal funds are being utilized. We need to reexamine our spending priorities and ensure taxpayers’ dollars are not being wasted. Taxpayer’s money should be spent to support hardworking American citizens.
Nobody thinks foreign aid programs are perfect. But it’s hard to see the moral calculus here. Rep. McGuire should read about how taxpayers’ money was being spent, and the impact of cutting it off:
Peter Donde, a 10-year-old in South Sudan who died in late February because he couldn’t get the AIDS treatment that had been keeping him alive. This treatment had been provided by PEPFAR, a US government program.
Achol Deng, an 8-year-old girl in South Sudan who also died of AIDS because she couldn’t get her treatment from PEPFAR.
Jennifer Inyaa, a 35-year-old single mom, and her 5-year-old son, Evan Anzoo, both of them H.I.V.-positive, both of them now dead because we cut off their medicine.
Martha Juan, 25, and Viola Kiden, 28, a mother of three, who died for the same reason as Peter, Achol, Jennifer, and Evan.
Angelina Doki, a health volunteer who cared for Martha and Viola. Doki’s own supply of antiretrovirals is about to run out. “I am going to develop the virus,” she tells Kristof. “My viral load will go high. I will develop TB. I will have pneumonia. …. We are going to die.”
Fatima Abdulai, 14, and her niece, Nadia, a severely malnourished 2-year-old, used to get food assistance from America but now eat only one meal a day of sorghum mush.
Kristof doesn’t rely on anecdotes alone—he also has data showing how millions will die in just the next year:
1.6 million people dead from HIV.
Half a million dead for lack of a vaccine.
Another half million from malnutrition.
Almost 300,000 from malaria.
300,000 from tuberculosis.
Kristof has a couple suggestions for how you can help. I would add one more: call John McGuire at 202-225-4711 and tell him:
I’m a constituent and voter in the 5th district. My zip code is ___.
I’m calling to ask Rep. McGuire to help restore funding for USAID and other foreign aid programs.
I know he’s a pro-life Christian. These programs save lives and express America’s values.
They also make us safer and more respected around the world.
I’d like the congressman to learn more about the lives these programs have saved and to speak out in favor of preserving them. Thank you.