Gabe Amo

NPHS Marine Trades students show off skills during Congressional visit

Position: The release highlights the North Providence High School Marine Trades CTE program and states the congressman's intent to support investment in Rhode Island's Blue Economy and marine trades workforce.

In a visit that aimed to highlight the future of Rhode Island’s marine trades and manufacturing workforce, Congressman Gabe Amo spoke with students in North Providence High School’s Marine Trades CTE program about their boatbuilding work last week. “This is amazing ... the level of expertise,” the congressman said after speaking with a group of students. “You’re teaching me a thing or two.” The first of its kind in the state, the pathway approved in 2019 comes with OHSA 10 training and the potential for a future career with Electric Boat. Mayor Charles Lombardi noted he was approached with the idea to start a marine trades program several years ago. “We gave it a shot,” he said. “It’s been very successful.” “I want to thank all of those who brought this program here,” Lombardi said. “We’ve already gotten a few students jobs in the marine trades.” “That’s why I think CTE is so important in schools,” said Melissa Caffrey, director of Pathways for the North Providence School District. “What makes this program especially exciting is the collaboration between our school, the marine trades industry, and our community.” “Our students are not simply learning about boatbuilding, composites, systems, and marine technology; they are working alongside industry partners, earning credentials, building confidence, and discovering opportunities they may never have considered before being an active participant in this program of study,” Caffrey noted. Supt. Joseph Goho noted that in the Ocean State, it was landlocked North Providence that first launched the initiative. “It’s so ironic that North Providence was the first marine trades program in the state,” Goho said. “We can use our resources to grow the economy.” Student creations over the course of a school year range from traditional rowboats, kayaks and canoes, to steamboats, sailboats and 12-foot skiffs. At a boating center at Camp Meehan at Notte Park, the program culminates with an annual launch day on the Wenscott Reservoir. “What they’ve built comes to life at Camp Meehan,” said Caffrey. “It’s about not just the long-term skill creation,” Amo said of the program. “It’s the things that help build their journey along the way.” The congressman’s visit was timed with the release of his 2026 Blue Economy Report, which spotlights Rhode Island’s progress in supporting and growing marine trades and manufacturing. “The Blue Economy is not just a concept,” Amo said, noting the maritime industry’s importance to the state’s growth. “I’ll bring these ideas back to Washington and keep fighting for the investment and support Rhode Island needs to lead the way.” “You’re continuing a legacy that goes back hundreds of years, but more importantly, you’re contributing to your own future,” Amo told the students. The congressman instructed the students to keep working hard, do well in all their coursework, and have joy while doing it. “You should be excited about this,” he said. “This is something that is going to put your life on a great path. You are building our future.”

Takeaways from Chris Wright’s fiery Hill appearance

Position: Energy Secretary Wright argued that Democratic energy policies are the primary driver of higher gasoline and electricity prices, more so than the Iran conflict, and expressed confidence that energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz will normalize. Democrats criticized the Department of Energy's actions as partisan and damaging to clean energy development.

Nico Portuondo, E&E News by Politico Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s latest in a string of Capitol Hill appearances this year may have been his most explosive yet, with Democrats focusing on high gasoline and electricity prices. Wright appeared before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee to defend the department’s fiscal 2027 budget request, but Democrats quickly shifted their focus to a series of Department of Energy actions they argue have been overtly partisan and damaging to clean energy development. “You have a lot of explaining to do before this committee today,” said ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). “The damage that you and the broader administration have already inflicted on our national energy innovation enterprise is frankly staggering.” Sharp criticism from Democrats is nothing new for Wright, but Wednesday’s hearing was among his most combative. The Energy secretary repeatedly argued that Democratic energy policies bear primary responsibility for the higher prices Americans are paying for gasoline and electricity. “Democratic policies that drive up electricity prices, gasoline prices, diesel prices — they have been permanent, and they are a larger force, a larger factor in energy prices today than the Iran conflict,” Wright said. “And this conflict will pass.” The exchanges frequently devolved into shouting matches, with several lawmakers and Wright talking over one another and, at times, using expletives during the hearing. Still, the hearing also featured new discussion of the Strait of Hormuz, the department’s nuclear energy ambitions and its controversial report on climate change. Wright provided additional context for comments he made a day earlier about increased oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while also fielding questions about President Donald Trump’s comments on inflation. Speaking at an Atlantic Council event Tuesday, Wright said traffic through the critical oil chokepoint was “rising very meaningfully,” comments that helped send oil prices down several percentage points Wednesday. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) asked Wright to provide “a little bit more detail, at least more than the word ‘meaningfully.'” “We are not talking openly about it, but this is using the U.S. military to increase flows of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz, and things are going well,” Wright said, later adding that the government has data showing a significant increase in the number of ships transiting the waterway. Trump later appeared to confirm the operation, posting on Truth Social that the military had executed a secret mission to move more than 100 million barrels of oil through the strait. While the long-term outlook for the chokepoint remains uncertain, Wright expressed confidence that energy flows would eventually normalize. “I shouldn’t be in the business of making energy price predictions or predictions of any prices in the future, but the Strait of Hormuz will reopen and energy flows will grow and prices will come down,” he said. Wright was also asked about Trump’s comments to reporters that he “loved” inflation because oil prices would fall once the conflict ended. “You know what I really love? I love the inflation. You know why?” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “Because as soon as this war is over, you know I can say it now … you know we’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil.” Wright responded, “I think he talks to all different audiences and he talks in all different styles, but I don’t have any serious objection to what he said.” The sharpest clashes centered on familiar disputes over clean energy and the department’s cancellation of grants — issues that have dominated Wright’s previous appearances before Congress but remain no closer to resolution. That focus was on DOE’s review of more than 2,200 funding awards, launched last year to eliminate what the administration viewed as wasteful Biden-era spending. That review is now complete. Many of the canceled awards, most of them in Democratic-led states, remain in limbo. A federal judge sided with clean energy groups that argued the Trump administration acted punitively in canceling the grants. During the proceedings, government lawyers acknowledged that the location of award recipients influenced which projects were selected for review. Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) argued the ruling made clear the cancellations were partisan and unconstitutional and asked Wright when the funding would be restored. Wright maintained the decisions were not politically motivated. “What you’re referring to is a choice of announcements of some of the awards, not made by our department,” Wright said. “No decisions were made on politics. I keep hearing that charge. It’s bullshit. We’re going to say it a million times.” Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) later asked Wright to identify the DOE staff members responsible for the cancellations, but he declined. “You are just obfuscating the situation for your own political benefit,” Ross said. “Clean energy is an entire sector that has benefited this country, and your administration has declared war on it.” As DOE races to meet an ambitious goal of having three advanced microreactors reach criticality by July 4, Wright suggested there is at least some uncertainty about whether the agency will hit its target. Ten companies — including Oklo and Last Energy — are competing to meet the deadline established by one of Trump’s nuclear executive orders. Last week, DOE announced that a microreactor developed by Antares Nuclear reached criticality. Talking about the program, Wright said two other reactors would “probably” reach criticality before July 4. “We’ll probably have two more of those before July 4, so nuclear is going to move forward,” he said. Other agency officials, including Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner, have said they are “optimistic” the department will meet the goal. An Office of Nuclear Energy spokesperson said the agency “anticipates other companies will reach this milestone by July 4, reflecting continued progress and momentum within the program.” Democrats also pressed Wright over a department-commissioned climate study arguing that “climate change is a challenge — not a catastrophe.” Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) questioned why the report was commissioned and released without undergoing peer review, a standard step for most scientific research. “The first line of defense is, don’t even discuss it, don’t use it for policy until it has passed independent scientific peer review,” Foster said. Democrats also asked whether EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin was consulted during the study’s development and whether its conclusions could be used to justify the administration’s effort to repeal the endangerment finding. Wright defended the report, saying officials across the government were kept informed during its development and that it would eventually undergo peer review. “It’s five outstanding scientists, we’d love to submit it for peer review, and we’ll eventually do just that,” Wright said.

Congressman tours local blue economy hub

Position: Congressman Amo expresses support for innovation and scientific research in Rhode Island's blue economy sector, and criticizes the Trump administration and DOGE for turning away from innovation and scientific research.

Christian Silvia, Bristol Phoenix It was in December 2020 when Jaia Robotics co-founders Ian Estaphan Owen and Jason Webster set off on what Owen describes as an ambitious plan in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles and aquatic data collection. They kicked off product development on March 13, 2021 and had their first prototype in the water September 16, 2021 — all during the pandemic with nobody in the same office. The goal of the company is to democratize aquatic data collection by making underwater vehicles that could work in teams and cover large areas very quickly, very efficiently and a very low cost relative to anything else. Owen and Webster took their idea from a blue tech accelerator program to a win at a pitch competition. The prize, donated by one of Jaia’s investors, was rent for a year at their Burnside Street headquarters. Owen and Webster and two desks moved in in February, 2022 and soon filled that space with engineers and software developers, a small production area, and a growing business development arm. Their product, the JaiaBot, is a 7 pound, 38 inch aquatic data collection device that looks like a small, red missile. JaiaBots are affordable (given their functionality, about $10,000 per unit), easy to operate, rugged and reliable, requiring minimal user training with wide-ranging capabilities. They can work alone or in swarms, collecting data 100 miles offshore at depths of 100 meters. Now, 3 years since becoming the first tenant of Herreshoff Marine Museum’s new Blue Tech Innovation Center, Jaia Robotics has expanded into a larger space within the complex and last Friday welcomed U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, along with RI Rep. Susan Donovan and Sen. Linda Ujifusa for a tour of the space and a demonstration of their new drone, the JaiaBot XR which has triple the endurance of the original JaiaJot and can travel upwards of 3 times the distance. Amo, who has been a strong advocate of Rhode Island’s burgeoning blue economy, has been very supportive of Jaia Robotics work in both the defense and environmental sectors, according to Operations and Marketing Director Deedee Chatham. Owen said that JaiaBots can help advance the blue economy in sectors from academia to defense; they have been used in applications from modeling sound velocity profiles and identifying hazards in port security, to water quality monitoring for the United States Geological Survey. Amo praised Jaia Robotics for its innovative approaches to environmental and technological advances. “As the Trump administration and DOGE turns their backs on innovation and scientific research across our country, I’ll continue to promote groundbreaking work in Rhode Island that grows our Blue Economy and benefits coastal communities,” said Amo, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment, in a statement following his visit. “During my visit to Jaia’s facility in Bristol today, I learned about the cutting-edge aquatic data that they’re able to collect through underwater drones and how those drones can be used to increase our national defense capabilities. We must keep going — enhancing dual-use marine monitoring and deployable capabilities while accelerating our efforts to understand the ocean in a cost-efficient and comprehensive manner.” “Jaia Robotics is delighted to host Congressman Gabe Amo at a time when the rapid acceleration of affordable autonomous systems is crucial to meeting the needs of our war fighters,” said Owen. “Congressman Amo's active support for Jaia and other blue tech companies in the Southeastern New England area is vital in securing the necessary funding to bolster our defense capabilities. “We deeply appreciate Congressman Amo’s bipartisan efforts to ensure Congress recognizes the availability of cost-effective, rapidly deployable solutions. These solutions can provide the US Army and Marines with the capability to ensure safe littoral maneuver operations and deliver overwhelming mass to counter threats from our adversaries.”

Congressman Gabe Amo’s veteran advocacy inspires columnist

Frank Lennon, Special to the Providence Journal Our 1st District Congressman Gabe Amo is the new vice ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He made national news last week with his reaction to the recent shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Amo said, “I’m not surprised given the turn that we’ve seen. … But mostly I’m disappointed because the best of America is reflected in these programs.” This strong comment reminded me of a conversation I had with Amo a few months ago, during which he was equally forceful about his support for veteran-related issues. “I haven't had the opportunity to serve," he said. "… Now I can do everything in my power to support those who do serve, who have served, and their families.” His first official event after being sworn in was the November 2023 ceremony marking the upgrades to the Lance Cpl. Holly Charette Home in Johnston. The home is named for the 21-year-old Cranston native killed in action on June 23, 2005, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Opened in 2010, it is the only facility in Rhode Island providing transitional housing to female veterans experiencing homelessness. It's an issue Amo has focused on throughout his career. Very early in his term, Amo announced that two local housing authorities would receive more than $500,000 in combined federal funding to help homeless military veterans and their families find permanent housing. U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo, D-R.I., was sworn in on Jan. 3 to his second term representing the state's 1st Congressional District. Gabe Amo's background and history Pawtucket native Gabriel Felix Kofi Amo was born on Dec. 11, 1987. His father and mother immigrated to Rhode Island from Ghana and Liberia, respectively. His mother is a nurse and his father owns a liquor store. He graduated from Moses Brown School and studied political science at Wheaton College. While still in college, he began his political career volunteering on Sheldon Whitehouse's 2006 Senate campaign. He then continued with Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. He then joined the Obama administration, serving as a liaison to governors and other state officials. Amo returned to Rhode Island as Gov. Gina Raimondo's principal adviser on outreach to local government, business, and faith communities. He returned to national politics as a strategist on Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign and later served on the Biden transition team. He was then appointed deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, working as the principal liaison to mayors and local elected officials. In September 2023, Amo won the Democratic primary in an upset to become the party's nominee. He won the general election, becoming the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. One of his first acts as a congressman was co-sponsoring “Vets Get Outside Day” to help veterans struggling with mental health challenges. Amo quickly learned how impactful his work on behalf of veterans could be. “The first parade I walked in was the Newport St. Patrick's Day parade,” he told me. “A veteran came up to me to say, ‘Thank you, Congressman Amo, for helping with my case.’ “When a young guy will go through a crowd to tap me on the shoulder and say thank you, that’s meaningful. And I said to him, ’No, in fact, thank you.’” Last May, Amo spearheaded an effort to recognize America’s first integrated military unit − the First Rhode Island Regiment − by posthumously awarding its members the Congressional Gold Medal. “The bill would bestow this long-overdue honor on our brave Revolutionary War soldiers who came together in a multiracial coalition to fight for America’s independence,” a statement from Amo’s office declared. “People colloquially will call it the first Black regiment,” Amo told me. “It was, in fact, an integrated unit, but it had Black members, and they were fighting when their own freedom was uncertain.” That recognition is still pending. Last Veterans Day, Amo began his day at the Garden of Flags in East Providence, honoring the lifetime of service to that city by Vietnam veterans Sgt. Clarence Butler Jr. and Lt. John Wolf. He went on to the Squantum Association in Riverside to recognize Rhode Island’s veterans at the Infantry Lodge Association’s 105th Annual Veterans Day and Armistice Day Celebration. Visits to the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol and Notre Dame cemetery in Pawtucket followed. At the cemetery, where more than 3,000 of the city’s veterans are laid to rest, he joined Pawtucket public safety retirees and veterans to dedicate a new flagpole. Rhode Island can be proud that all four members of its congressional delegation take Veterans Day and Memorial Day activities so seriously. When I asked him what he would like to convey to Rhode Island's veteran community, his immediate reply was an expression of gratitude. ”This country isn't great accidentally,” he said. “It's great because of the sacrifice and service of so many, starting with those who have put their lives on the line.” U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo honors veterans at the Garden of Flags in East Providence in a 2024 Veterans Day ceremony. As an aside, he volunteered that, “Vietnam [is] a war for which our country still has an unpaid debt to so many of the veterans who served.” Referring once again to veterans of all conflicts, he said, “Even if they were lucky enough to return unscathed, they put [their families and lives aside] to serve our country. And so for that, I'm grateful. And I say thank you. “And the second thing I would say is, I work for you. And I don't mean that in a flippant, cliché way.” He believes that time is our most important asset, and he wants to spend as much time as he can with veterans, and to dedicate as much time as is needed to pursue legislation that protects and advances issues important to veterans. Perhaps with a foreboding of what lay ahead, in August he said, “I think it's really important to make sure that veterans benefits continue to be delivered, and that providers have the resources they need to deliver services to veterans.” Amo believes the responsibilities he now bears are an extension of the work our servicemen and women have performed. “We may disagree in politics," he said, "but know that I am first and foremost an advocate, and I want to work on behalf of veterans and military families in any way that I can.”

Trump’s Gaza proposal is ‘unserious’ and ‘dangerous’: Democratic lawmaker

Position: Rep. Amo criticizes President Trump's Gaza proposal as unserious and dangerous, characterizing it as reflecting a real estate developer's approach rather than serious diplomatic engagement.

Rep. Gabe Amo, D-R.I., calls President Donald Trump’s proposal for Gaza “the language of a real estate developer.”

With USAID targeted, R.I.-based Edesia’s therapeutic food for malnourished children is sitting in warehouses

Position: Rhode Island's Democratic congressional delegation opposes the Trump administration's targeting and dismantling of USAID, arguing that the agency is essential for national security, reducing global conflict and poverty, and supporting U.S. humanitarian and strategic interests. The delegation criticizes the effort as unconstitutional and immoral, and notes the immediate harm to domestic businesses like Edesia Nutrition that depend on USAID funding.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is criticizing the Trump administration for targeting a humanitarian aid agency that funds a North Kingstown nonprofit, which has fed 25 million malnourished children. Founded in 2010, Edesia Nutrition is a social enterprise that manufacturers a fortified peanut-based paste, Plumpy’Nut, which treats severe cases of malnutrition when children are weeks away from dying. Named for the Roman goddess of food, Edesia receives between 30 percent and 80 percent of its funding from the United States Agency for International Development each year. In May 2024, USAID announced plans to use $200 million in federal funds to ramp up production of the peanut paste, made at Edesia and a Georgia factory, and deliver it to starving children in places such as Ethiopia, Haiti, and Sudan. But now Trump and his most powerful ally, billionaire Elon Musk, are targeting USAID, with Musk saying it was “time” for USAID to “die,” thousands of USAID employees being laid off, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio being named acting head of the agency. Navyn Salem, the founder and CEO of Edesia Nutrition, told the Globe, “We have product sitting in warehouses waiting for decisions to be made, and that correlates directly with young children’s lives.” She emphasized that the nonprofit focuses on feeding children in the most efficient way possible. “Our ability to impact the lives of children and families is data-driven, and we welcome the dialogue to improve the systems currently in place,” Salem said. “Food security is national security, and we must fight famines, not families. Children around the world will remember that it was the American people who were the ones who came to their rescue in a time of crisis.” The four Democratic members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation vowed to fight the attempt to shutter USAID. “President Trump’s effort to dismantle USAID without congressional approval damages US national security, and it’s immoral and unconstitutional,” US Senator Jack Reed said in a statement. He said USAID has been effective in reducing conflict, poverty, and disease around the world. “The agency’s work offers America a strategic foothold and competitive edge over other nations,” Reed said. “Shuttering USAID like this weakens American leadership, damages partnerships with trusted allies, and only creates a vacuum for the Chinese to fill.” US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said “the richest man in the world” — Musk — is lying about USAID to try to justify “stopping the flow of food and aid to some of the most impoverished people in the world.” “We are seeing effects at home, with refugee welcome organizations shuttering services and Rhode Island businesses like Edesia suddenly facing major uncertainty,” Whitehouse said. “Democrats will keep fighting the corruption of the Trump administration with every single tool available to us.” US Representative Seth Magaziner, whose Second Congressional District includes Edesia, said, “Trump and Musk’s attempt to shut down USAID risks a humanitarian tragedy and only serves to strengthen our adversaries.” USAID accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget, Magaziner said, but it saves millions of lives each year by treating disease and malnutrition, and it strengthens US alliances in the developing world. “If the US were to retreat from USAID, countries around the world would be forced to look toward China, Russia, and other adversarial nations for help, weakening America and putting us at risk,” Magaziner said. Representative Gabe Amo, who represents the state’s First Congressional District, noted that Edesia produces Plumpy’Nut at its plant at the Quonset Business Park. “It’s a ready-to-use therapeutic food,” he said. “They have USAID contracts, and this is life-saving stuff.” On Friday, Amo wrote to Rubio, objecting to the administration’s pause on nearly all US foreign assistance, saying it places international projects supporting health programs, educating children, and providing food assistance in jeopardy. He asked Rubio to clarify confusion about the limited nature of an “emergency humanitarian waiver” for foreign assistance. “Aid organizations have reported that they have not received updated guidance from the State Department, forcing them to pause their essential work and consider laying off their staff,” Amo wrote. “For example, organizations that produce and distribute Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, one of the most effective nutrition treatments for severe malnutrition, are unsure if they qualify for this waiver.” He called for Rubio to provide a plan and to clarify the confusion by Friday. Amo cited a ProPublica article that said, “On Friday morning, the staffers at a half dozen U.S.-funded medical facilities in Sudan who care for severely malnourished children had a choice to make: Defy President Donald Trump’s order to immediately stop their operations or let up to 100 babies and toddlers die.” “This is who we are as Americans,” Amo said. “That’s not rhetoric. That’s not hyperbole. That’s literally what’s on the line when you are making life and death decisions like that.” Amo said pulling foreign aid from places such as Africa and Southeast Asia will allow China and other nations to fill the void. " This makes America less safe and secure, full stop," he said

Trump and Musk take aim at a surprising target: a humanitarian agency with long bipartisan support

Sam Brodey and Jim Puzzanghera, Boston Globe WASHINGTON — After taking office, President Trump and his most powerful ally, billionaire Elon Musk, outlined a long list of federal offices and programs they wanted to drastically scale back or outright kill. Few anticipated that their first big target would be a humanitarian aid agency that accounts for a smallfraction of the federal budget and has been long supported by members of both parties. The Agency for International Development, or USAID, supports a wide range of programs in countries around the world, from disaster relief to public health. With a budget of $42.4 billion in 2023, less than 1 percent of overall federal expenditures that fiscal year, it funds initiatives that have long been supported domestically as an inexpensive but effective form of soft US power. Less than two weeks after Trump’s inauguration, however,Musk —empowered by the president to lead the ad hoc “Department of Government Efficiency” federal spending reduction project — said it was “time” for USAID to “die.” On Monday, employees at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters were told to stay home by a young Musk aide. By the afternoon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named acting head of the agency, putting its future very much in doubt, while congressional Democrats rallied opposition outside the building along with USAID employees and their supporters. Lawmakers and international aid advocates struggled to make sense not only of the breakneck dismantling of the agency but also why Trump and Musk had chosen to target it so quickly and dramatically. Andrew S. Natsios, a professor at Texas A&M University who served as USAID administrator under President George W. Bush, said he believes the agency got on Trump’s radar when transition team members saw photographs in its offices highlighting work done on climate change, gay rights, and other progressive causes during the Biden administration. “They walked in and they said, ‘This is the most woke agency in the federal government,’ and that enraged them all. They ordered all the photographs to be taken down,” Natsios said, citing someone involved with the transition. That helped give Trump and Musk a misleading view of the other vital work done by USAID and led them to try to eliminate it rather than make some changes, Natsios said. “They don’t even know what the agency does,” he said, calling Musk’s description of it as “viper’s nest of radical left Marxists” ridiculous. “The most pro-business, pro-free market of all multilateral and bilateral aid agencies in the world is USAID.” Representative Gabe Amo, a Rhode Island Democrat who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had many conversations over the weekend with people who are “shocked by all this.” “I would say I’m not surprised given the turn that we’ve seen, what MAGA foreign policy represents,” Amo said. “But mostly I’m disappointed, because the best of America is reflected in these programs.” The misgivings that Musk and allies have expressed about USAID are not much different than their critiques of other arms of the federal government. They have posted to social media examples of past agency expenditures supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion, or amplified line items that appear strange or wasteful out of context, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did on Monday by pulling out of her pocket a list of allegedly offensive spending. Despite a history of bipartisan support,USAID has been a target of the right wing in recent years. Last year, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed an amendment toan appropriations bill todefund the agency, which failed by a wide margin. The Trump administration’s first attempt to impose a blanket freeze on discretionary federal spending last week included virtually all forms of foreign aid, though exceptions have been made. But last weekUSAID emerged as a top target for Musk and Republicans, with efforts accelerating in recent days. Appearing with Musk in an audio conversation posted on X early Monday morning, Senator Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said she zeroed in on USAID because of concerns about how it was spending humanitarian funding in Ukraine. She said USAID staffers resisted her oversight, leading her to launch an investigation that found misuse of funding. In a May 2024 letter to the agency’s inspector general, Ernst said the agency had listed on social media some of the projects it funded in Ukraine, including, “‘bankrolling a fashion festival for Ukrainian streetwear brands,’ a trade-mission to Bordeaux, France, for ‘young Ukrainian animator talents,, and a designer of ’astonishing yet functional interior objects,’ including a $12,000 coffee table.” “We love to feel good about helping starving children in ‘name your country,’ but it’s not going there. It’s going to pay rent in Paris. It’s going to support somebody’s fancy dinner to entertain whoever,” Ernst, who founded the Senate’s DOGE caucus, told Musk in the event on X Spaces. “There are probably some arguments to be made about what could be important work that falls under USAID. But the fact of the matter is … it has been overshadowed by these bad actors,” she said. “So if there are truly good pro-American programs, then let’s move them to the State Department.” Musk responded that USAID wasn’t worth saving. ”As we dug into USAID, it became apparent that what we have is not an apple with a worm in it, but we have actually just a bowl of worms,” Musk said. “And when there is no apple, you’ve just got to basically get rid of the whole thing. That’s why it’s got to go. It’s beyond repair.” Though spending to supportUkraine amid Russia’s invasion haddramatically increased agency spending since 2022, the bulk of funds spent by USAID have typically gone toward addressing hunger and famine and diseases including AIDS and malaria. During the COVID pandemic, the agency played a crucial role supporting global vaccine distribution. “A lot of those dollars come back to the US economy,” said Maryam Z. Deloffre, an associate professor of international affairs at George Washington University, who added that US foreign assistance has a history of “very broad bipartisan support.” “A lot of the food assistance that we send is coming from US farmers so it’s a sort of subsidy for our own agricultural industry,” she said, noting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exempted emergency food assistance from last week’s broad order from Trump to freeze the vast majority of grants and foreign aid. Democrats said only Congress, which created USAID as an independent agency, has the authority to eliminate it, and on Monday lawmakers slammed Trump’s move as illegal. “We live in the United States of America, and as much as Elon Musk and Donald Trump want, this is not a dictatorship, and we will not allow it to become one ever,” Representative Jim McGovern, a Worcester Democrat said at a news conference outside USAID headquarters on Monday afternoon. Greene, a Georgia Republican and strong Trump ally, acknowledged Congress was unlikely to vote to shut down USAID. “I hope USAID is completely eliminated because Congress would never get rid of it on their own,” she posted on X. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he didn’t think it would take an act of Congress to eliminate an independent agency created by law. Proponents of foreign aid remained hopeful that many Republican lawmakers might still register their concerns. “Without naming names, I would say many of them do believe that the work of USAID is vital,” said Amo. “I know that members like me will be seeking out those Republicans to say, ‘You’ve got to speak to your team. You seriously need to assess the impacts and the consequences of your decisions and actions, whether or not they’re proactive, reactive, whether or not it’s loud or silent.’ They’ve got to do something.” Globe correspondent Kendall Wright contributed to this report.

Amo, Magaziner defend ‘no’ votes on Laken Riley Act

Position: Representatives Amo and Magaziner oppose the Laken Riley Act, arguing it eliminates due process by mandating detention of individuals merely accused of crimes without conviction, and would wrongfully subject legally present immigrants including DREAMers to indefinite detention.

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island’s members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, which passed the chamber with nearly 50 Democrats joining all House Republicans in a 264-159 vote. The bill was sponsored by Congressman Mike Collins, R-Georgia, and orders the Department of Homeland Security to detain migrants without legal status when accused of shoplifting, theft and similar crimes. This bill is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia who was killed in February by a Venezuelan migrant. Democratic Congressman Gabe Amo told 12 News in a statement the bill “exploits a terrible tragedy to score cheap political points.” “It is a fact that those who are convicted of a felony are already subject to deportation with the laws currently on the books,” Amo added. “And it is a fact that this flawed bill would eliminate due process by subjecting DREAMers and Temporary Protected Status recipients who are legally in this country to mandatory detention — even if they are never charged with a crime, or worse, wrongfully accused.” As for future work on improving the country’s immigration system, Amo said he’d continue to work with his colleagues who are “interested in serious solutions as opposed to fear-mongering political stunts.” Collins’ legislation would also allow states to sue the federal government in the event they can prove that not enforcing immigration policies hurt them. Democratic Congressman Seth Magaziner, who is on the House Committee on Homeland Security, had similar concerns as Amo. “This bill, however, goes too far by providing for indefinite detention for those merely accused of minor nonviolent offenses without a conviction or any due process, and would apply even to DREAMers who came to the country as young children through no fault of their own,” Magaziner said. “I would welcome an opportunity to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to pass common sense immigration reform that makes our country safer.” The bill had a procedural vote Thursday afternoon in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate to open it up for debate. A total of 84 senators voted in favor to proceed with debate, with one of those being U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, according to his spokesperson. Whitehouse was also part of the 84 ‘yes’ votes. Massachusetts Congressmen Jake Auchincloss and Bill Keating also opposed the bill. Auchincloss said in a statement that the bill “undermines the constitution without improving border security.” “A criminal conviction already makes someone subject to detention and deportation, as it should,” he explained. “This bill makes an arrest — not a conviction — cause for indefinite detention, which deprives individuals (including DREAMers) of due process.”

RI, Mass. reps speak on Capitol insurrection anniversary

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — On the fourth anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection by supporters of president-elect Donald Trump, Rhode Island leaders are speaking about that day and their duty ahead. From Rhode Island Congressman Gabe Amo: Today, I will join my colleagues in performing my responsibility to certify the 2024 presidential election. For the many public servants who were merely doing their jobs four years ago on January 6, 2021 — when a violent mob attacked the Capitol and attempted to overturn a free and fair election — the scars remain fresh. We must never forget the over 140 heroic law enforcement officers injured and the families who lost loved ones on that fateful day. From Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner: Four years ago, a violent mob incited by President Trump attacked the Capitol, assaulted police officers, and threatened to kill elected officials. Over 140 heroic police officers were injured, and five died from their injuries in the following weeks. The mob did this in an attempt to overturn the results of a fair, democratic election and rob the American people of the sacred right to choose our own leaders. Today, I will do my part to certify Trump’s election to another term because I respect the democratic process in a way that he never has. Of the over 8 billion people alive today, fewer than 20% live in a democracy. It is a privilege I do not take likely, and one I will always fight to preserve.

Rhode Island Rep. Gabe Amo reflects on first term in office

Position: Rep. Amo opposes mass deportations and advocates for meaningful pathways to citizenship for immigrants, while supporting orderly legal immigration processes.

In a political landscape often characterized by division and partisanship, U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-1) stands out as a beacon of hope and a champion for unity. Elected to represent Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District in a special election, Amo became the first person of color to represent the constituency. In an exclusive interview with the AFRO, Amo said that his freshman year was “eventful.” “When I came to Congress, we had not found a way to fund the budget for the whole year. We were just a few weeks past the speaker dilemma, we were focused on the ongoing challenges in Ukraine and Israel and all of that on top of doing the basics of being a congressperson,” said the Democratic lawmaker. “So, I can’t say I expected every bit of it. I knew it would be challenging. It would take a lot of my brain space and my time, and I’m grateful that Rhode Islanders sent me back to continue the work that I’ve started.” Born and raised in a diverse community in Providence, Rhode Island, Amo’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work and community. His parents, immigrants from West Africa, instilled in him the importance of education and the significance of giving back. These lessons would guide him throughout his life and career, fueling his desire to serve others and effect positive change. Amo told the AFRO that he is concerned about the well-being of immigrants under a Trump-Vance administration given that the president-elect stated on Day 1 he would invoke mass deportations. “It’s also true that we have work to do to make sure that we have a lawful and orderly process for people to become Americans, and time and time again, the president-elect has led Republicans away from real solutions,” added Amo. “We know that there should be pathways that are meaningful and purposeful for people to be in this country. What we don’t need is arbitrary mass incarceration and [deportation.]” Before entering Congress, Amo served as the director of the Rhode Island Governor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this role, he worked tirelessly to promote equity and justice in state policies, focusing on marginalized communities. His commitment to fostering inclusive environments and addressing systemic inequalities resonated deeply with his constituents and positioned him as a leader in social justice initiatives. Amo’s election to Congress in 2023 came at a pivotal moment for Rhode Island and the nation. He won a crowded Democratic primary and subsequently the general election by emphasizing a platform centered on economic opportunity, healthcare access, climate action and social justice. His approach is characterized by an unwavering belief that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves a fair shot at success. Healthcare is another cornerstone of Amo’s legislative agenda. Drawing from his experiences growing up in a family that faced financial challenges, he understands the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare. He has been a vocal supporter of expanding Medicaid and lowering prescription drug prices, emphasizing that health should not be a luxury but a fundamental right for all Americans. Environmental justice is also a key issue for Amo. As a representative of a coastal state, he recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. He has been an advocate for green energy initiatives and policies that promote sustainability while creating jobs in the renewable energy sector. Despite the challenges of being a freshman congressman in a polarized environment, Amo remains optimistic and committed to his vision for a better future. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life has made him a popular figure among constituents. He often holds town hall meetings, where he listens to the concerns of his community and seeks their input on legislative matters. Amo told the AFRO that although Republicans will have control over the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for the next two years, Democrats will send a clear message that they will fight on behalf of the American people. “We have to talk directly to our constituents–talk with them, not at them–and be visionaries. Focus on the future, communicate our message of economic opportunity, of lowering costs and focusing on things that Americans actually care about,” said Amo. “I know the better days are ahead, and I look forward to being part of that bright future as a member of the house,” he added.