CONGRESS MOVES TO RESTORE FOREIGN AID BUDGET. TRUMP COMMITS TO SIGN BILL. Report by The caring world.
Congress has proposed a $50 billion foreign assistance budget for fiscal year 2026, which is a 16% decrease from the previous year but still exceeds the Trump administration's request. The bill is currently awaiting Senate approval and the President’s signature, which is expected to happen February 2.
The budget includes significant funding for global health programs, with $9.4 billion allocated, which is $5.6 billion above the administration's request. It supports contributions to major health initiatives like the Global Fund and Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance). The bill also aims to maintain U.S. leadership in humanitarian assistance, despite previous cuts and the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The FY26 foreign aid budget reflects a compromise that seeks to balance funding priorities while pushing back against proposed cuts from the administration. However, uncertainties remain regarding its final approval and implementation. There are concerns about the operational capacity of foreign aid programs due to staffing reductions and potential funding impoundments by the administration.
It is estimated that 750,000 Africans died because of the budget cuts in 2025. 500,000 of that number are estimated to be children. Much of the infrastructure on the ground in Africa has been dismantled. Rebuilding the delivery system will be difficult.
The Trump administration has put conditions of the funding that eliminate NGO participation and steer money to African governments. Trump has made it clear that he expects governments that receive aid will do business with U.S. companies and U.S. will get preferential treatment in access and development of African national resources like rare earth minerals.
The proposed $50 billion foreign assistance budget includes funding for global health programs, military aid to Egypt and Israel, and initiatives supporting democracy and food security. Specific allocations include $9.4 billion for global health, which addresses diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, and additional funds for humanitarian assistance and development programs.
The 2026 foreign assistance budget is set at $50 billion, which is a 16.1% decrease from the $59.7 billion enacted in 2025, but it is significantly higher than the Trump administration's proposed budget of $30.1 billion. This budget reflects a compromise that aims to maintain U.S. leadership in foreign aid despite proposed cuts.
This foreign aid budget is part of the 2026 version of The Big Beautiful Bill which has raised much controversy because it included $75 billion for ICE programs that included $40 billion to build additional facilities to house illegal immigrants as they wait for deportation. Congress agreed to separate the ICE budget from the rest of the 2026 budget to avoid a lengthy government shutdown.