Eli Crane Slams GOP Colleagues Over Previous USAID Legislation

Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) is criticizing fellow Republicans for failing to back his efforts to sharply cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following renewed attention to the agency’s role in U.S. foreign aid.

Crane recently wrote on social media, “Sure wish my Republican colleagues would have helped my efforts to defund USAID in the 118th Congress.”

The congressman’s frustration traces back to 2023, when he joined an aggressive push to scale back or eliminate USAID. That year, Crane co‑sponsored legislation introduced by Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), H.R. 5108, which would have abolished USAID entirely, though the bill did not advance.

When that effort stalled, Crane supported deeper cuts through the appropriations process.

During consideration of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act in September 2023, Crane offered House Amendment 439 to reduce USAID’s funding by 50 percent.

The House Vote

The House then rejected the amendment by a recorded vote of 102–326, with only 102 members backing the cut and a large bipartisan majority, including many Republicans, voting no.

Many Republicans voted against the amendment because they think foreign aid helps keep America safe and maintains our relationships with other countries. They were also worried that significant cuts to USAID would hurt programs for healthcare and humanitarian relief.

Crane’s renewed criticism comes after a recent report indicating claims USAID funded the Wuhan Lab's gain-of-function research and Smartmatic election systems, suggesting the timing of COVID-19 and the 2020 election wasn't coincidental.

They also allege that left-wing billionaires, NGOs, and USAID funded protests they describe as "color revolutions" in America. According to critics, USAID was involved in funding election technology, releasing a weaponized virus to cover up election fraud, and depopulating the planet, all part of a connected plan.

While his proposals to abolish the agency’s budget have not succeeded, they have become part of a broader internal GOP argument about fiscal restraint, foreign policy priorities, and the proper role of U.S. development programming.