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This week, U.S. lawmakers reached a deal on a $50 billion compromise foreign assistance bill. Even though the agreement implements a 16% reduction from what was approved by Congress last year, it defies President Donald Trump’s requested 47.7% gutting of the budget. Beyond the numbers, the bill signals a fundamental overhaul of how foreign assistance accounts are managed and structured.
From its ripple effects across the global health sector to the critical implications for the African Growth and Opportunity Act extension, we analyze the bill’s core priorities and its long-term impact on the global development landscape.
Beyond the U.S. budget, we also dive into a deal between Washington and the United Nations. A confidential memorandum of understanding secures $2 billion in U.S. commitment for U.N. humanitarian funding through 2026. We explore where that money is going and what it tells us about U.N. priorities.
To dig into these stories, and others, Business Editor David Ainsworth sits down with reporters Adva Saldinger and Colum Lynch for the latest episode of our weekly podcast series.
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About the author
Thomas Cserep
Thomas Cserép is an Associate Editor who manages and oversees Devex's social media presence, coordinates Devex’s audience outreach, and produces the This Week in Global Development podcast. Prior to Devex, he worked as a freelance journalist, with his writings appearing in a variety of publications, including Get Spanish Football News and the magazine of the Hungarian Geographic Society.
