[By Guancha Observer Network, Ruan Jiaqi]

According to reports by NPR, Reuters, and others on the 21st, at the U.S. Senate hearing held on Tuesday (the 20th), U.S. Secretary of State Rubio engaged in intense debate with Democratic lawmakers over the reform of the State Department and budget cuts.

Regarding global aid issues, Rubio insisted that the significant reduction in USAID does not mean the United States will withdraw from the world stage in foreign aid, while denying the claim that "China may replace the U.S. as the leader in global aid."

With more than 90% of foreign aid contracts proposed for cancellation and personnel drastically cut, USAID is now virtually defunct. Rubio, who took over the agency in late March, announced that the U.S. government has officially confirmed the "closure" of USAID, with some of its functions being integrated into departments under the State Department.

The Trump administration's move against USAID drew criticism from Democrats, who argued that it would weaken America's soft power accumulated over decades and give China a propaganda advantage. At the two congressional hearings on Tuesday, Rubio was fiercely rebutting this argument.

In the morning session of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, senior Democrat Jeanne Shaheen was the first to challenge him. She criticized that after taking office, the Trump administration significantly reduced foreign aid measures including USAID, allowing China to surpass and potentially replace the U.S. in areas such as global public health development.

According to the transcript of the hearing released by the State Department, Rubio responded by saying, "There is no evidence indicating that China has the ability or willingness to replace the U.S. in humanitarian aid, food distribution, or development assistance." He claimed that even with reforms at the State Department, U.S. foreign aid and humanitarian support still far exceed those of China.

He further emphasized that the U.S. has not withdrawn from international affairs, "I visited 18 countries in 18 weeks, which doesn't sound like withdrawing... I met with foreign ministers of many countries, including Ukraine's minister, more times than I saw my own children."

Following this, Rubio once again smeared China's "Belt and Road Initiative," hyping up false narratives such as "predatory loans" and "debt crises." Blindly lying, he claimed that China "has no record of humanitarian aid worldwide" and even absurdly stated that China "does not know how to do it."

Notably, USAID has long been criticized internationally for using foreign aid as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. If Rubio's so-called "foreign aid" refers to such despicable actions, China indeed does not engage in them.

China has repeatedly proven through action that its regional investments and cooperation are completely not targeted at any third party and do not exist with the intention of confrontation or replacing other countries, which has always been the basic principle of China's international cooperation.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State testified before Congress. U.S. Department of State video screenshot.

According to NPR, The Washington Post, and other U.S. media reports, these two hearings were the first time Rubio testified before Congress since becoming Secretary of State in January. Just weeks ago, he had announced a major reorganization plan for the State Department, proposing to reduce about 15% of employees domestically and reduce the existing 734 agencies and offices to 602.

Rubio stated in the hearing that the State Department applied for a fiscal year 2026 budget of $28.5 billion. Media outlets noted that this figure is $2.7 billion less than the fiscal year 2025 budget approved by Congress, a decrease of 48%.

Several Democratic lawmakers expressed concern, believing that the substantial budget cuts and institutional restructuring would harm U.S. diplomatic effectiveness and weaken its global influence.

However, Rubio repeatedly defended the cuts, stating that the aim was to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, strengthen the core role of the State Department in foreign policy, and "shift the focus of institutional power and operations to regional bureaus and embassies abroad."

Rubio insisted, "We will continue to provide foreign aid, continue to carry out humanitarian relief and disaster assistance, and we will continue to do everything we have done in the past—perhaps some projects will be adjusted, but the core work will not change."

"The U.S. will continue to be a very generous aid donor," he added, "but we cannot continue to be the provider of aid covering everyone's needs... We have entered a new era, especially a geopolitical one, where funds must be directed prudently."

Reuters reported that the atmosphere at Tuesday's hearing was much more intense than Rubio's confirmation hearing, with sharp questioning from Democrats and strong words from Rubio in his rebuttals.

The Washington Post pointed out that Rubio was once a staunch supporter of U.S. foreign aid and traditional Washington alliances. Now he has reshaped himself as a loyal advocate and mouthpiece for Trump's more isolationist and transactional foreign policy agenda. This made former Democratic colleagues he worked with in the Senate very angry, who initially viewed him as a "familiar, rational, and moderate voice" in the Trump cabinet, supporting and welcoming his appointment.

Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland had particularly intense exchanges with Rubio. He mentioned that Rubio had advocated strengthening U.S. foreign aid during his 14 years in the Senate, yet now he "stood idly by while Musk wielded the chainsaw against USAID and other aid programs." He even openly admitted regretting voting for Rubio's appointment.

Rubio immediately retorted, "Your regret over voting for me proves I did well." Reuters reported that the hearing then descended into a cacophony of insults, which was quite unusual for a committee that has long been known for its bipartisan cooperation.

According to U.S. media reports, Rubio emphasized that many of the projects he cut were "not in line with U.S. interests," and Washington will remain the "most generous humanitarian aid donor country in the world."

He also said that the U.S. government proposed establishing a new $2.9 billion "America First Opportunity Fund," which will handle foreign aid matters based on the "lessons learned from USAID."

This article is an exclusive piece by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506708680046576169/

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