Mike Quigley: “President Trump's first Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis, once said: If we don't fully fund the State Department and…”

“President Trump's first Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis, once said: If we don't fully fund the State Department and diplomacy abroad, I need to buy more ammunition. Apparently, Elon Musk, a newly minted oligarch with $20 billion in government contracts and subsidies, never heard this warning. Musk's decision to shutter USAID, supported by the current administration, will make us less safe. USAID tracks and prevents global diseases such as Ebola and malaria from reaching the U.S. No more. USAID programs lift people out of poverty and promote access to justice, which alleviates the root causes of terrorism. No more. USAID counters Chinese and Russian influence by fighting against misinformation and offering funds to build. No more. For one penny out of every dollar we pay in taxes, I cannot think of a better investment to advance America's security. Not long ago, Secretary of State Rubio said: ``Foreign aid is not charity. . . . it is critical to our national security.'' Mr. Speaker, he should take his own advice. ____________________”