Senators express mixed feelings on aid freeze which could affect Iran programs

President Donald Trump’s executive order last Monday to freeze all foreign aid funding has split US senators, some of whom see a welcome return to fiscal discipline and others see a threat to critical foreign policy priorities.

Human rights activists have in recent days expressed concern about the impact of the 90-day pause in foreign aid on Iran-related programs, with some saying the order could help Tehran further restrict its people’s access to information.

It has been more than two decades that the United States has been supported civil society and human rights in Iran on everything from documenting abuses by the country's rulers - Washington's Mideast arch enemy - to supporting efforts to transcend official internet censorship there.

Following Trump's executive order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive to US embassies worldwide to halt all financial disbursements, except for critical emergency food programs including efforts to combat a widening famine in Sudan.

The audit aims to gauge the efficiency of foreign aid programs and their alignment with Trump's America First policy stance.

"We are merely looking at parts of the big bureaucracy where it has been tremendous waste and fraud and abuse," Trump said on Wednesday.

Outside the Senate floor, where an unprecedented number of reporters gathered in what many are dubbing the Trump effect amid intense interest in his barrage of early policy moves, lawmakers shared both support and scorn for the policy.

Senator John Fetterman set a light-hearted tone with reporters, saying Trump may not ultimately achieve all he wants. “I wish with an executive order I could get a beautiful head of hair,” in a nod to his signature bald look.

On a more serious note, the maverick Pennsylvania Democrat who has cultivated a working-class persona and has been more amenable to Republican policies than most of his peers, acknowledged concerns but took a measured approach.

“This is what (Trump) was running on. Obviously, there are things about this we need to be concerned about, but I’m not gonna freak out—and I know those freak-outs are gonna keep you guys in business,” he told congressional reporters.

Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, slammed the executive order.

“This is a power grab. This is trying to take away our lawful authority to appropriate money and put it into the White House. I think this is trying to take power from one branch of the government and put it into the Oval Office,” Kelly said.

Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, both closely aligned with Trump, expressed full support for the funding pause. Cruz described the move as necessary to review what he called “politicized and misguided spending” under the Joe Biden administration.

“I think it’s perfectly reasonable for the incoming administration to assess where the money is going," Cruz, a Texas Republican, said. "I put out a report from the Commerce Committee on extreme DEI and politicized funding at the National Science Foundation—woke grants that abuse statutory intent. I’m glad the Trump administration is examining the money before it goes out the door.”

Hawley, a Missouri Republican, expressed faith in Rubio’s pending review. “What Secretary Rubio is doing will allow him a top-to-bottom review of the fundings and what he wants to do with them. I look forward to seeing what Rubio finds. I think he’ll come forward with recommendations."

The funding freeze sending shockwaves beyond Capitol Hill. A senior manager from a nonprofit organization impacted by the freeze who requested anonymity due to internal media restrictions, expressed deep concerns.

“All programs are suspended. It will get people killed and networks exposed,” the manager said, referring to Iran-related initiatives previously funded by the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs office, which allocated nearly $60 million annually to such projects.

As the 90-day review period unfolds, the political and humanitarian fallout of the freeze will continue to be closely watched, with Rubio’s findings and recommendations likely to shape future debates.