Eli Crane attempts significant cuts to USAID funding
- Eli Crane initiated an attempt to significantly reduce USAID funding shortly after taking office in 2023.
- His proposal for a 50% cut was part of a broader discontent regarding America's military role and foreign spending.
- Despite his advocacy, the amendment faced heavy opposition from within his party, leading to its failure in the House.
In 2023, amidst ongoing debates on government spending, Rep. Eli Crane, a Republican from Arizona, took a strong stance against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Concerned about taxpayer dollars being sent overseas without sufficient accountability, Crane sought to cut USAID's budget by 50%. This effort occurred after he had co-sponsored legislation aimed at abolishing the agency entirely, brought forward by former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz. Despite his support from some quarters, the amendment failed dramatically in the House, with 326 votes against it and only 102 in favor. Notably, a majority of House Republicans opposed Crane's initiative, indicating a division within the party on how to handle foreign aid and government spending. Crane expressed that he only scratched the surface of understanding USAID's operations and believes that the Republican Party is starting to recognize issues with the agency's funding and mission. Crane's declaration included a deep concern about America's military engagements overseas, drawing directly from his experience as a warfighter. He highlighted frustrations with congressional members making decisions on military matters despite lacking firsthand experience in combat, urging a reevaluation of America's role in global conflicts. His perspective aligns with a broader critique of U.S. foreign policy, echoing sentiments that American involvement in international conflicts often leads to extended military engagements without clear justification or success. Crane linked these military concerns to former President Donald Trump's attempts to pivot U.S. foreign policy away from interventionism. He remarked on the need for a cultural shift within the military, criticizing the increasing influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he argues detracts from military efficacy. Emphasizing a return to a focus on combat readiness, Crane pointed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a needed change agent in reshaping military culture back toward operational effectiveness rather than cultural issues. The discussion illustrates a larger battle within the Republican Party over fiscal conservatism, military engagement, and the role of government in international affairs.