At USAID, more post-sequestration scenarios emerge
Monday, March 18, 2013
Anxiety could be sensed among aid implementers meeting Thursday at the U.S. Agency for International Development headquarters in Washington, D.C. Just like most people working in the area, they worry about what lies ahead in the wake of the sequestration.
The sequestration would mean a 5 percent cut to many U.S. government departments, including those handling foreign assistance. The impact, though, won’t be felt until perhaps next year, participants said at the Washington event, and eyes are on the Senate and House of Representatives to come up with a grand bargain on spending that would soften the blow or reverse some of the looming cuts.
Sam Worthington, president and CEO at InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based development nongovernmental organizations, noted at the event that if the cut is implemented in a nondiscretionary manner, gains made by USAID would be endangered.