USAID suspends program targeted by Murphy

The Bucks County Congressman had objected, saying American tax dollars were being used to train people for outsourced jobs.

A federal agency has suspended an international training program – after a Bucks County Congressman said it was using taxpayer dollars to encourage the outsourcing of American jobs.

Congressman Patrick Murphy says he’s glad the US Agency for International Development has put the brakes on plans to spend taxpayer money to train thousands of workers abroad. Among other things, trainees in Sri Lanka were to learn call center support and IT skills.

Agency spokeswoman Lynne Weil says the group has suspended the project while it conducts a review to ensure the project will not take any jobs away from Americans.

“US AID takes seriously its responsibility for the sound investment of taxpayer dollars and is committed to ensuring that our important work – which helps people in developing countries build better lives for themselves and families – does not negatively impact the American worker.”

In response to Congressman Murphy’s criticism last month, the same spokeswoman said the program would not displace American IT workers.