State Department Modifies the Original Near-Full Stop of Foreign Aid

State Department Reverses Near-Full Stop of Foreign Aid Marco Rubio’s memo now exempts ‘core life saving programs’ but withholds assistance for diversity and abortions. Michael R. Gordon and Alexander Ward WSJ

The Trump administration pulled back from its order to pause nearly all foreign aid, and will now exempt “core life saving programs” that involve medicine, medical services, food and shelter, according to a Tuesday memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

A Jan. 24 State Department directive had called for a broad suspension of foreign assistance while the agency carried out a three-month review of aid programs.