A federal judge has given the Trump administration until Monday to pay several nonprofit groups and aid organizations affected by President Trump’s order to freeze foreign assistance and shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development. The judge formalized a plan to release funds to at least nine groups, such as the Global Health Council and Chemonics International. The government estimated up to $2 billion in aid to be disbursed. The Supreme Court affirmed the judge’s ruling but requested clarification on the government’s obligations. The judge ordered a smaller, yet-to-be determined amount to be paid by Monday. The Justice Department anticipates being able to pay within ten working days, facing logistical challenges. The aid groups need funding by March 14 to continue operations. USAID provides humanitarian aid to over 130 countries with a budget of $40 billion. Trump’s executive order froze foreign assistance for 90 days, leading to lawsuits and planned budget cuts of $60 billion at USAID. The Justice Department has stated they will make all legitimate payments, referring to reviews of contracts at issue. The fate of many USAID projects remains uncertain.
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