State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks after being sworn in by Vice President JD Vance in the Vice Presidential Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

By Ellen Knickmeyer, The Associated Press

Posted Jan 24, 2025 03:11:44 PM.

Last Updated Jan 24, 2025 03:16:09 PM.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department on Friday froze new funding for almost all U.S. aid programs worldwide, making exceptions to allow humanitarian food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt to continue.

The order — sent in a cable to U.S. embassies worldwide — prohibits new government spending, which appears to limit programs to running only as long as they have cash on hand.

The State Department will conduct a review of which of the thousands of U.S. aid and development programs can continue. Its order spells out the execution of an aid-freezing executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday.

Friday’s order especially disappointed humanitarian officials by not including any exemptions sparing health clinics and other health programs worldwide from the new funding freeze.

Ellen Knickmeyer, The Associated Press

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