U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have requested an investigation by the Acting Inspectors General of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development into the destruction of $9.7 million worth of family planning commodities purchased with U.S. taxpayer funds. The supplies, intended for global distribution, were stored in Belgium.
In their letter, Senators Shaheen and Murkowski expressed concern over the decision to destroy these commodities rather than distribute them as directed by Congress. They noted that several organizations and foreign governments had offered to take on distribution responsibilities to ensure delivery to intended beneficiaries.
“We are writing to ask you to investigate the disposition of $9.7 million in family planning commodities, which were stored for global disbursement at a warehouse in Geel, Belgium,” wrote the Senators. “We understand that the Trump Administration has decided to destroy these commodities—purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars—rather than distribute them to beneficiaries pursuant to directives in appropriations laws, which provide annual funding for family planning programs. We are concerned about the waste of taxpayer funds and possible fraud associated with the disposition of these commodities.”
The Senators highlighted bipartisan support for family planning programs due to their role in preventing maternal and infant deaths as well as reducing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
“Family planning programs have sustained bipartisan support because they prevent maternal and infant deaths and reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions by allowing women to control their fertility and safely space births,” continued the Senators. “In 2024, U.S. international family planning and reproductive health assistance made it possible for 47.6 million women and couples to receive contraceptive services, preventing 17.1 million unintended pregnancies, 5.2 million unsafe abortions and saving the lives of 34,000 women. Greater access to family planning has the potential to prevent up to 30 percent of the 295,000 maternal deaths that occur annually and to save the lives of 1.4 million children under the age of five.”
The letter also addressed claims that some commodities included abortifacients: “The Administration has publicly suggested that the commodities include abortifacients. As you are aware, U.S. law does not permit funding for abortions. We have first-hand knowledge that the warehoused commodities included only birth control pills, intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and injectable birth control.”
Senators Shaheen and Murkowski stated they have introduced legislation called The Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act aimed at requiring already-purchased foreign assistance commodities be made available as intended.
“We have therefore introduced legislation in the House and the Senate, The Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act, that would require the Administration to make already-purchased foreign assistance commodities available to intended beneficiaries,” concluded the Senators.“Intentional destroying of commodities is a malicious action and a massive waste of U.S.taxpayer funds.”
They asked inspectors general Baker and Nguyen several questions regarding options available for distributing or selling these supplies instead of destroying them; whether any remain viable; if actions were taken deliberately making supplies unusable;and total costs incurred including acquisition,destroying,and related fees.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plays a significant role in shaping U.S.foreign policy through its legislative activities since its establishment in 1816.It is responsible for examining treaties,supporting major initiatives like those following World War II,and is composed both majority members led by its Chairman,and minority members led by its Ranking Member.official websiteofficial website
