House Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast recently shared his intentions to prioritize the security of America through various measures within the State Department and USAID.
Mast emphasized the importance of purging individuals from these agencies to ensure national security. He expressed his commitment to providing necessary authority for this process.
He also raised concerns about the focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over diplomacy within the State Department, citing numerous examples that he believes support his claim.
Regarding the potential restructuring of USAID, Mast mentioned ongoing discussions with Secretary Rubio to establish appropriate command and control mechanisms for the agency.
He expressed support for the idea of integrating USAID under the State Department, if deemed necessary for better coordination.
When questioned about the freeze in funding for USAID and its impact on agencies, Mast criticized the lack of transparency in grant allocation. He suggested that freezing funds would compel agencies to provide detailed explanations of their spending decisions.
Mast highlighted the need for accountability in how funds are allocated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that financial resources are effectively utilized to save lives.