Khan and PA House Democrats call on Congress to restore USAID funding to save lives
Experts estimate President Trump’s actions have already cost 600,000 lives
Rep. Tarik Khan December 23, 2025 | 10:18 AM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 — As American families prepare to celebrate the holidays, state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and several PA House Democratic colleagues are urging Congress to restore federal funding for the United States Agency for International Development to help prevent further catastrophic loss of life worldwide.
Joining Khan as co-prime sponsors of his resolution are state Reps. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila.; Chris Pielli, D-Chester; Carol Kazeem, D-Chester; Greg Scott, D-Montgomery; Paul Friel, D-Chester; Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster; Roni Green, D-Phila.; and Izzy Smith Wade-El, D-Lancaster.
Khan’s proposed legislation, “A Resolution to Restore Life-Saving U.S. Foreign Aid and Prevent Catastrophic Loss of Life,” urges Congress and the White House to restore funding for USAID, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies. Recent cuts to U.S. foreign assistance have disrupted life-saving food, health, and disease-prevention programs serving millions of vulnerable people worldwide.
“It’s common sense,” Khan said. “When you cut food and medicine, people die. Health experts estimate that Trump’s cuts have already cost over 600,000 lives, mostly women and children. If the planned cuts continue, that number could reach 1.6 million per year. That’s cruel and inhumane. We shouldn’t accept this from Washington, and we’re sounding the alarm.”
Khan, also a nurse practitioner and researcher, cited reports showing that more than 2 million people have lost access to anti-HIV medication due to cuts by the Trump administration. In Yemen alone, he noted, U.S. food-aid reductions ended lifesaving assistance for 2.4 million people and halted nutritional support for 100,000 children, with similarly devastating effects reported across parts of Africa and within refugee communities worldwide.
“USAID has saved nearly 100 million lives over the past two decades by preventing disease, malnutrition, and humanitarian collapse — all while receiving less than one percent of the federal budget,” said Bellmon. “This isn’t wasteful spending; it’s a proven investment in global stability and human life.”
“Right now, moms and kids around the world are going hungry, getting sick, and dying because of decisions made in Washington,” Kazeem said. “That’s wrong. Especially at this time of year, we should be stepping up.”
“Our nation was once perceived as a beacon of light and hope, an example for freedom-loving people around the world,” said Pielli. “As the most powerful nation on earth, our best moments are when we act as a stabilizer and benefactor, holding strength in one hand and aid in the other. USAID has been central to that mission, saving more than 90 million lives over the past two decades. Experts now warn that if these cuts continue, 14 million people who would otherwise survive could die. This is profoundly un-American and will be remembered as a dark chapter in our history.”
“America should lead, not turn its back or bury its head in the sand,” Khan said. “We’re calling on Washington to reverse these cuts and get food and medicine to the people who need it most.”