Van Hollen vows to scrutinize foreign aid damage in new Democratic role

Senator Chris Van Hollen will examine the impact of U.S. foreign aid cuts as he takes on a new leadership role in the Senate.

The Maryland Democrat, who announced on Thursday that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for the majority leader position, is serving as ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee. That position oversees the State Department and the remnants of the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID.

Van Hollen said his first priority is to analyze the harm caused by the Trump administration's changes to global health programs. He cited credible analyses showing that more than 700,000 people died between January 2025 and January 2026 due to USAID reductions.

He pointed to the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as an example of the damage. Van Hollen argued that the United States could have contained the outbreak better if it had not made major cuts to public health funding. He recalled a scene at the White House in February 2025 where Elon Musk, standing behind President Donald Trump, admitted to missing cuts related to Ebola fighting.

As the Democratic majority gains control, Van Hollen said the party can use its power of the purse to safeguard congressional intent. He noted that the administration recently rescinded over $500 million in global health funds, an action a Republican majority had approved but Democrats would likely block.

He also identified a separate issue involving $1.5 billion in public health funds passed by Congress years ago. Van Hollen said the administration appears to be using that money to wind down USAID rather than for health programs. He plans to challenge that use of funds now that Democrats hold the majority.

The senator said the administration has ignored report language, which provides guidance on how appropriated money should be spent. To prevent future diversion of funds, Van Hollen said Democrats intend to convert that language into binding law. This would allow the party to take the administration to court if it continues to ignore specific spending directions.

Van Hollen stated that he does not believe any part of the Trump administration's global health policy is worth preserving. However, he said he is not advocating for a return to the exact status quo before the current administration. He plans to develop a new strategy for U.S. foreign and health policy that reflects the important role USAID previously played.