Sen. Josh Hawley suggests DOGE look at chopping US funding for the UN
Finding two trillion dollars to trim from the federal budget will not be an easy goal to reach for the new Department of Government Efficiency. Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has drawn attention to the funding allocated to the United Nations, suggesting it might be an appropriate area to consider for budget cuts.
During a recent statement, Hawley voiced strong criticism of the United Nations, describing it as an organization that has become excessively corrupt and increasingly at odds with American interests. He emphasized the UN’s stance towards Israel, indicating that a reduction in its funding could be a sensible starting point for budget revisions. Hawley remarked, “I can imagine beginning immediately right there.”
Former congressman Ron Paul, who is widely recognized for his fiscal conservatism, has also contributed his thoughts on reducing government spending. Paul, the father of Senator Rand Paul, has actively participated in discussions surrounding budget cuts, specifically advocating for a cessation of all foreign aid. His rationale is that such expenditures are detrimental, as they transfer money from the impoverished and middle class in the U.S. to wealthier regions in developing countries. Paul expressed on social media that “Americans don’t want their government to borrow more money to spend on foreign aid.” Elon Musk chimed in, agreeing with Paul’s sentiments by stating, “Ron is not wrong.”
Representative Ralph Norman from South Carolina concurs with the notion of cutting foreign aid but believes that aid to Israel should remain unaffected. He highlighted the ongoing fiscal challenges, noting the staggering national debt of $37 trillion. Norman elaborated that many Americans are weary of government spending that outstrips its income, remarking, “That’s what the last election was about along with a lot of other issues, and it’s not fair for our young people.”
When asked whether his colleagues in the House had the willingness to implement such significant cuts, Norman suggested that there is a lack of resolve unless voter pressure mounts. “No, they do not, without pressure from their voters they do not,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin did not explicitly address the potential reductions in foreign aid but acknowledged that budget cuts are necessary. He expressed support for innovative approaches and remarked, “We need out-of-the-box thinking; we need a paradigm shift here.”
To put this into perspective, in 2022, the United States spent approximately $70 billion on foreign aid, primarily directed towards economic development and humanitarian efforts globally. Notably, Ukraine has received a staggering total of $175 billion in aid, including military assistance, from the U.S. since the onset of the conflict with Russia in February 2022.
