Washington has a spending problem. People know it and are demanding that Congress get serious about fiscal responsibility. One of the clearest, most immediate opportunities is passing the White House’s recently proposed rescissions package that will roll back billions in unused, unobligated funds sitting in agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development.

One million dollars for voter ID in Haiti, $889,000 for electoral reforms and voter education in Kenya, $567,000 for LGBT programs in Uganda, and don’t forget about the $33,000 for LGBT programs in the Western Balkans. These unbelievable yet real American taxpayer-funded USAID allocations are just the tip of the iceberg.

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As a conservative, I believe America has a role to play in the world. But that role should be rooted in strength, accountability, and putting American interests first. USAID was created to promote humanitarian aid and development abroad, but over the years, it has ballooned into a massive bureaucracy that too often funds inefficient programs, operates without real oversight, and spends billions overseas while the needs of Americans get pushed to the back burner.

The rescissions package sent to Congress targets unused USAID funds that have sat idle for years. These are not funds supporting active missions or urgent crises. These are dollars that were authorized but have been found to be wasteful, redundant, ineffective, and not in the taxpayer’s best interest. 

This is not about turning our backs on humanitarian values. It is about putting America first. It is about prioritizing taxpayers and restoring sanity in Washington, D.C., following the abysmal failure of the previous administration and the Democrats who never found a check they didn’t want to write, especially when it came to programs that benefit everyone but Americans. 

Rescinding USAID funds now is a commonsense way to ensure they don’t become a slush fund for bureaucrats or international nongovernmental organizations that are not accountable to the people.

I was elected to Congress last year with the task of enacting commonsense solutions and fighting for the America First agenda. That’s why, in addition to supporting the rescission of unused USAID funds, I’m introducing two bills reaffirming our commitment to national security and the rule of law.

The No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act ensures that individuals who support cartels or terrorist networks don’t get to travel freely on an American passport. And the Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act holds cities that defy federal immigration enforcement accountable by cutting off their access to federal funds. These are commonsense steps that show how responsible leadership looks: protecting our people, securing our borders, and putting America first.

While some in Washington will argue that rolling back USAID funds sends the wrong message globally, I strongly disagree. Some in the Beltway will call it isolationism, but I believe it’s the stewardship needed now more than ever to ensure America remains the world’s leader. Passing this rescissions package, specifically reclaiming unused USAID funding, shows that priorities have been restored and that the dollars Congress approves are needed, spent, and effective.

CONGRESS SHOULD QUICKLY APPROVE TRUMP’S RESCISSION LEGISLATION

As a freshman member of Congress and member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees, I am proud to join my Republican colleagues in reclaiming billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse and to lead on fiscal responsibility, focusing our fiscal priorities here at home to keep us safe.

I support this rescissions package because it does what Washington rarely does: It recognizes that not every dollar needs to be spent just because it was authorized. And it ensures the people know they are our priority.

Sheri Biggs represents South Carolina’s Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives. She serves on the Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees.