In a letter January 29, the Professional Services Council (PSC) warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that numerous U.S. companies and workers were suffering adverse effects of the Trump Administration’s recent Executive Order (EO), Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.
Since the EO took effect, thousands of workers have been laid off from private sector companies and invoices representing millions of dollars of work already completed have not been paid.
PSC President and CEO David J. Berteau stated that “…the U.S. Government owes PSC member companies about $500 million in unpaid invoices and that they (U.S. companies) directly support America’s collective goals to support our allies and partners, prevent and counter malign influence, and safeguard American interests around the world.”
Following the stop-work orders while the EO’s mandated 90-day review is conducted, the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) stopped payment on existing contractor invoices, and furloughed or laid off nearly 3,500 American workers.
The letter noted that People’s Republic of China (PRC) was ready to take over the vacuum caused by America’s withdrawal and that it is unlikely they could be unseated once they take hold.
PSC also stressed that small businesses were not able to weather unpaid invoices, forcing them out of business, and that continuing programs while being reviewed was much cheaper than stopping and restarting.
“We urge you to authorize payment of invoices for past work,expedite reviews and lift stop-work orders for programs that will continue, and prevent the PRC from replacing the U.S. in vital areas around the world.”
PSC represents more than 400 companies that support federal agency missions, including the USAID.
Click here to read the letter in full, including the actions requested by PSC.