Refugees International Calls on Congress to Reject Rescissions Package

By Jeremy Konyndyk | June 4, 2025

Statement from Refugees International President Jeremy Konyndyk:

“The Trump Administration’s proposed rescissions package will sharply cut lifesaving refugee and humanitarian aid, directly contradicting Secretary of State Rubio’s repeated promises to Congress to preserve lifesaving programs. The reckless DOGE attack on US aid programs is already killing people who relied on U.S. humanitarian and health assistance. The rescissions package would formally enshrine those deadly policies by targeting:

$496 million in International Disaster Assistance, the account that funds U.S. humanitarian response to famines, conflict, and natural disasters, including the legendary U.S. DART team’s ability to deploy rapid, life-saving assistance in response to conflicts, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies

$800 million in Migration and Refugee Assistance, which funds lifesaving aid for refugees overseas and supports the resettlement of vetted refugees to build new lives in the United States.

$361 million for UN peacekeeping operations that serve to stabilize conflict zones and protect civilians from further harm without necessitating U.S. military deployments.

A range of other programs that save lives and relieve humanitarian burdens, including $900 million from PEPFAR and other global health programs; $2.5 billion in development assistance that reduces reliance on humanitarian aid; and $200 million for contributions to international organizations.

This package will have no meaningful impact on the federal deficit, but it will have a dramatically damaging impact on humanitarian crises around the world. We urge all members of Congress to preserve lifesaving programs and maintain U.S. humanitarian leadership by rejecting this reckless proposal.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.