Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Joins 92 House Democrats in Demanding Oversight of Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza Amid Starvation Crisis
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joseph Guzman
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joseph.guzman@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) joined 92 House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding an investigation into the ownership structure and operation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, unqualified U.S.-linked aid organization at the center of the worsening starvation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The letter is led by Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06).
A copy of the letter can be found here.
GHF is a U.S.-linked aid organization with no prior experience in humanitarian aid and operates under opaque funding arrangements. GHF received a $30 million grant from the State Department, despite significant internal objections from USAID officials that the group’s funding plan failed to meet the “minimum technical or budgetary standards.” In their letter, the lawmakers criticize the organization’s lack of qualifications, noting that neither of the private firms contracted by GHF to manage distribution sites in Gaza has prior experience in humanitarian work, nor does GHF Executive Chairman Johnnie Moore, who is a close ally of President Donald Trump.
“We have serious concerns with the operations of GHF, a newly established, private, U.S.-linked organization with no prior humanitarian experience, and the possibility that it could become the sole or primary aid provider in Gaza,” the lawmakers wrote. “...Providing secure and efficient humanitarian assistance to Palestinians is not only a moral obligation—it is also vital to Israel’s long-term security and the safe return of Israeli hostages. Enhancing aid operations is essential to stabilizing the region and achieving lasting peace.”
In July 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a panel developed by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, issued a report warning that “the worst-case scenario of Famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip.” Netanyahu’s blockade and GHF’s dangerously mismanaged aid sites are directly contributing to the starvation crisis.
The lawmakers also expressed concern regarding disturbing violence at GHF distribution sites, where flawed distribution methods have caused mass panic and mass casualties.
GHF operates only four aid distribution sites in Gaza using a reckless first-come, first-served model that has resulted in deadly chaos. At least 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to access aid near GHF sites, with reports describing Israeli soldiers and U.S. contractors opening fire on desperate civilians. One former contractor said he was instructed to “shoot to kill and ask questions later.”
“Instead of using traditional aid distribution methods, based on internationally agreed-upon humanitarian principles, GHF provides food on a first-come, first-served basis,” the lawmakers continued. “As a result, when centers open, large crowds of Palestinians rush to the centers. In these situations, there appear to be few restrictions on the use of lethal force by Israeli soldiers and American contractors in the vicinity.”
In addition to Reps. Garcia and Casten, the letter was signed by Amo, Gabe; Ansari, Yassamin; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Bera, Ami; Bonamici, Suzanne; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Carbajal, Salud; Carson, André; Carter, Troy; Castro, Joaquin; Chu, Judy; Cleaver, Emanuel; Cohen, Steve; Courtney, Joe; Craig, Angie; Crow, Jason; Davis, Danny; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DeLauro, Rosa; Deluzio, Christopher; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Doggett, Lloyd; Escobar, Veronica; Fields, Cleo; Foster, Bill; Foushee, Valerie; Frost, Maxwell; Garcia, Robert; Garcia, Sylvia; Green, Al; Harder, Josh; Hayes, Jahana; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Huffman, Jared; Jackson, Jonathan; Jacobs, Sara; Johnson, Henry; Kaptur, Marcy; Keating, William; Kelly, Robin; Khanna, Ro; Larsen, Rick; Larson, John; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lofgren, Zoe; Lynch, Stephen; Magaziner, Seth; Matsui, Doris; McBride, Sarah; McClellan, Jennifer; McCollum, Betty; McGovern, James; Moore, Gwen; Mullin, Kevin; Nadler, Jerrold; Norton, Eleanor; Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria; Panetta, Jimmy; Pappas, Chris; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pingree, Chellie; Pocan, Mark; Pressley, Ayanna; Quigley, Mike; Randall, Emily; Ruiz, Raul; Salinas, Andrea; Schakowsky, Janice; Schrier, Kim; Scott, Robert; Smith, Adam; Sorensen, Eric; Stansbury, Melanie; Swalwell, Eric; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Trahan, Lori; Underwood, Lauren; Vasquez, Gabe; Velázquez, Nydia; Watson Coleman, Bonnie; and Williams, Nikema.