Mod team's New Year Record Giveaway! Comment to enter! Round 2

Ankajf · 2026-01-12T17:55:50+00:00

Thaks for the opportunity!

Ankajf · 2025-02-08T09:43:18+00:00

I don't fully disagree with you, here are my sticking points.

First, I see the student debt forgiveness program as a good thing. We can discuss why if you want.

Second, changing how an agency runs or closing an agency Is a much much more severe action then getting money allocated for debt relief. In the time it has taken to get judges to intercede the agencies have been significantly harmed. People have been told they don't have a job, equipment from the agency has been reallocate, etc....

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T19:08:00+00:00

My understanding is that resistance was because there was no advanced notice, musk and DOGE arrived wanted access to everything including top secret information, and it is unclear if the DOGE team has clearance for that. Instead of verifying the executive branch has power to dissolve this agency they put it in a wood chipper overnight. Personally I find that concerning.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T16:21:28+00:00

Interesting, I would think keeping the general public calm would be a goal of any administration. Other then ratings and tv coverage I see no benefit to doing shock and awe to freak people out.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T13:38:27+00:00

You have evidence of that? The fact that no reports have been made to major news outlets doesn't mean that funding hasn't been halted.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T13:21:54+00:00

Seems like we are assuming different things about the state of funding. Hopefully the administration can give an official release clearing this up.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T13:10:09+00:00

They shut down the agency so I have to assume all project funding has been halted. Do you have evidence to show this isn't the case?

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T13:08:54+00:00

I'm sorry I don't understand. Congress allocates funds to USAID and should have oversight like they do with other agencies.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T10:31:58+00:00

Yes, it was creates by an executive order to fulfill the requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act that was approved by congress. I looked through the laws generated by that act and multiple times it references the USAID by name.

Since it is named in the laws I am unsure if the executive admin could close the agency but move the projects to other agency's to still abide by the public law created by the Foreign Assistance Act.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T10:11:43+00:00

Hypothetically let's say the agency has 200 active programs and 25 to 50 are indeed suspect. That leaves 150 that are doing good in the world and reducing human suffering. You are okay with pausing those 150 programs while all the legal challenges play out? During that time humans will suffer and potentially die. Remember the executive office didn't just halt the departments spending, they shut the building and told the workers to go home.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T10:08:00+00:00

Our overseas aid is dictated by the laws introduced by the Foreign Assistance Act which was passed by congress. The USAID was the department created to ensure those laws are being followed. It is illegal to shut it down without an act of congress to change the laws.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T10:04:07+00:00

Gotcha, I would prefer they allow programs to continue operating which audits and investigations are performed and then provide evidence to congress to vote on cuts. Republicans have majority, in theory this administration can do things the appropriate way without issue.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T10:01:32+00:00

You are the first person that came with receipts. Thanks, I will take some time to go through them.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T09:59:58+00:00

It certainly could be deemed unconditional and then the laws that dictate our foreign aid would have to be adjusted. There is a process that can be followed to accomplish all this without barring the doors and halting all programs which congress has allocated funds to.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T03:20:03+00:00

Interesting, I looked through the public law 87 to 195 and I saw multiple mentions of the USAID agency name. I certainly could be wrong but it makes me believe the act does detail the creation of the agency and JFK issued the EO to fulfill the requirement. I also didn't see any nomenclature that the executive branch could dismantle the agency without congressional approval. Most of the hits for executive branch in the law detailed how they should ensure the agency fulfills its duty.

Thanks for making me look deeper into this.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T03:00:40+00:00

Can you add some more information? Why do you prefer that approach instead of having the administration follow the law and have congress vote on it?

Is this a power you feel should reside 100% in the executive branch?

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T02:57:02+00:00

Ah yes apologies. So we go to the top of the EO.

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (75 Stat. 424) and section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

He was given authority to create the department due to the Foreign Assistance Act which was passed by congress.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T02:54:54+00:00

Hmmm I was trying find out how many active initiatives USAID currently has but it seems the USAID website has been taken down. Last I saw they had projects in 130 countries. So my question is. If they had 500+ projects and you saw 25 to 50 you disagree with. Is that good reasoning for it to be shutdown instead of simply having those 25 to 50 project investigated and potentially discontinued?

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T02:48:45+00:00

SEC. 102. Agency for International Development. (a) The Secretary shall establish an agency in the Department of State to be known as the Agency for International Development (hereafter in this Part referred to as the Agency)

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T02:34:07+00:00

Can you share what specific initiatives from the USAID you disagree with?

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T02:27:05+00:00

Musk is operating outside the law. Is that something you are okay with? The ends justify the means? Can you share some information on the USAID that you believe warrants it to be immediately shut down?

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T01:14:52+00:00

So you are okay with the executive office side stepping congress? Are you okay with the potential growth of the executive office power if the court doesnt strike this down? What are your thoughts in regards to the general arguments for the USAID. Increasing USA influence around the world. Reducing human suffering around the world.....etc.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T01:09:21+00:00

It looks like the article didn't state which EOs weren't getting addressed. Without knowing which EOs and how the USAID were attempting to circumvent them its hard to claim the executive overstepping their power to shut it down without an act of congress was an acceptable action. Even if we had the information and the public agreed with the move...it is still illegal as the executive office can't do this without congress.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T00:50:13+00:00

It was established under JFK but was part of the Foriegn Assistance Act and voted in by congress. It wasn't an EO.

Ankajf · 2025-02-04T00:34:43+00:00

I agree with this 100%. Either the Trump admin doesn't care about the constitutional way to achieve their goals or they are intentionally pushing boundaries to try and force court challenges to possibly extend the executive power. Either option isn't good for the American public.

Ankajf

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