Marco Rubio puts stop to new foreign aid programs, ‘stop-work orders’ on current aid

The order may also pause funding going to Ukraine. According to the outlet, the memo said, “Effective immediately, Assistant Secretaries and Senior Bureau Officials shall ensure that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, no new obligations shall be made for foreign assistance until such time as the Secretary shall determine, following a review."

“For existing foreign assistance awards, contracting officers and grant officers shall immediately issue stop-work orders, consistent with the terms of the relevant award, until such time as the Secretary shall determine, following a review. Decisions whether to continue, modify, or terminate programs will be made following this review," it adds.

The memo says that within 85 days of the pause, a “government-wide comprehensive review of all foreign assistance shall be completed, and a report shall be produced to the Secretary of State for his consideration and recommendation to the President.”

The document, however, specifies that the exceptions are Egypt and Israel, saying that emergency food assistance and “legitimate expenses incurred prior to the date of this” guidance “under existing awards" will still be funded.

This comes as Trump has vowed to cut costs and put America first when it comes to policy abroad and at home. Rubio was confirmed to his role this past week, with a vote of 99-0.