On Wednesday, Senator Chris Van Hollen led a rally at the U.S. Capitol to protest the shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Established in 1961, USAID provides aid to foreign countries to end poverty and promote democratic values.
Warning that USAID is just the first of federal agencies to be shuttered, Van Hollen rallied the crowd of protesters.
Van Hollen was joined at the podium by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA) and Chris Coons (D-DE). Numerous other Democrats from around the country who serve in Congress made statements. Former officials from USAID also spoke, including its former Assistant Administrator, Atul Gawande, M.D.
USAID Stop Work organized this event and plans to hold more this week. To learn more, go to their website.
Video of the rally can be found here.
