Furloughs: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day of a shutdown, with the total daily cost of their compensation at roughly $400 million, according to the Office of Personnel Management. 

Job Losses: These furloughs hit the federal workforce after significant cuts earlier this year. 20,409 American workers and contractors spread across all 50 states lost their jobs due to the USAID shutdown. 

Power Vacuum: Prior to the shutdown, the White House rescinded critical international assistance funds that support U.S. engagement in crisis countries like Sudan. These cuts will severely limit America’s ability to favorably shape outcomes, contain threats, and compete strategically against our adversaries. 

Recommendation: The shutdown offers a unique opportunity for Members of Congress to pressure the administration to respect Congress’ authority over the budget process. Yesterday, Senator Susan Collins called on the GAO to sue the Administration under the Budget Control Act of 1974 for illegally impounding funds through pocket rescissions. Other Members of Congress should publicly echo her call for Congressional authority over the budget process. 

Similarly, Senator Lisa Murkowski’s framework for averting a government shutdown released this month included provisions to block what she termed Trump’s “illegal pocket rescission.” Democrats echoed this concern in their bill, explicitly opposing the administration’s attempt to bypass Congress. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer underscored the issue in a Monday meeting with Trump and other top leaders, describing the president’s funding maneuvers as “the other issue that was sharply drawn” during the Oval Office talks.

The Impact of Aid Cuts: Sudan offers a devastating example of the impact of pocket rescissions and international assistance cuts. With over 750,000 civilians starving and 5 million fleeing across borders, chaos is overtaking a key region beside a major trade route. As America retreats, adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran are stepping in, expanding influence, fueling extremism, and driving mass migration. This year, Sudan advanced Russia’s plans to establish its first naval base on a critical transit corridor in exchange for Russian aid. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Sudan has not resumed operations since the 2023 evacuation. 

Sudan also sits on vast reserves of critical minerals, including gold, chromium, and the rare earth elements essential to U.S. defense systems, energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing. China, Russia, and Iran are already moving to exploit the power vacuum to secure mineral access, further consolidating China’s dominance in these critical minerals.

America First means securing these resources, countering adversaries, and stopping instability far from our borders.

U.S. Retreat from Leadership: Continuing to pull back from Sudan would have direct negative consequences for U.S. national security and economic independence:

• Critical minerals could fall into the hands of strategic adversaries, deepening U.S. dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.

• Authoritarian regimes would gain influence over African governments and infrastructure.

• Mass displacement would continue fueling irregular migration toward Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

• Violent extremism would proliferate in failed states, further threatening US interests at home and abroad.

The Policy at Stake: Without U.S. leadership, others will define the terms to our disadvantage. The proposed rescission would:

• Undermine U.S. leverage in a strategic, mineral-rich region.

• Erode our ability to contain dangerous elements and shape post-crisis reconstruction.

• Hand economic and geopolitical gains to our adversaries.

Stand Up for American Leadership: The Alliance for American Leadership urges Congress to respond proactively to the challenges of the pocket rescission of international assistance funds. These investments are not charity, they are tools of American power. They deny strategic ground to adversaries, and stabilize key regions in the face of growing threats. An America First agenda requires acting globally to protect American security, sovereignty, and economic strength.