United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1794
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-05T17:34:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to strengthen regulatory cooperation between the United States and countries that have signed the Abraham Accords (a set of diplomatic agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations). It establishes a dedicated office within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide technical support and facilitate collaboration on regulating food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical products, ultimately promoting safer and more aligned international standards.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Abraham Accords Office: The FDA must create an office, headed by a director, within two years of the bill's enactment. The office will be located in one of the Abraham Accords countries, selected in consultation with those governments and U.S. diplomatic and security officials. FDA staff will be assigned as needed.
- Duties of the Office:
- Offer technical assistance to regulatory agencies in Abraham Accords countries to improve oversight of regulated products (e.g., drugs, medical devices, and food), including aligning standards like good manufacturing practices (rules ensuring products are made safely and consistently).
- Facilitate communication between the FDA and stakeholders in these countries, such as sharing information on U.S. approval processes for products and gathering feedback on research, development, and manufacturing.
- Perform additional tasks as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Definition: An "Abraham Accords country" refers to any nation identified by the U.S. Department of State as a signatory to the Abraham Accords Declaration.
- National Security Safeguard: The office's activities must not conflict with any federal national security advice.
- Reporting Requirement: Within three years of enactment, the HHS Secretary must submit a report to Congress evaluating the office's effectiveness, including progress on regulatory alignment, the number of facilitated interactions, a summary of assistance provided, and suggestions for better coordination.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill amends Chapter X of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the main U.S. law governing food, drugs, and cosmetics) by adding a new Section 1015. This introduces the first FDA office specifically dedicated to collaboration with Abraham Accords countries, expanding the agency's international role beyond its current general oversight functions. Previously, the FDA had no such formalized, location-specific office for this group of nations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FDA and HHS will need to allocate resources for staffing, operations, and the physical office abroad, potentially increasing administrative costs but enhancing the FDA's global regulatory influence.
- On Citizens: U.S. consumers may benefit indirectly from improved international manufacturing standards, leading to safer imported products. Citizens in Abraham Accords countries could gain easier access to U.S.-aligned medical products and faster regulatory approvals.
- On International Relations: The bill supports U.S. foreign policy by fostering closer ties with Abraham Accords countries (e.g., Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan), promoting economic and security cooperation through health regulation without creating new trade agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: FDA and HHS (direct implementation and reporting); Department of State (for country identification and consultations).
- Abraham Accords Countries: Their regulatory agencies, manufacturers, and researchers, who will receive technical support and collaboration opportunities.
- Industry and Private Sector: Pharmaceutical, medical device, and food manufacturers in the U.S. and partner countries, benefiting from streamlined regulations and shared knowledge.
- Congress: Receives the required report to oversee progress.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill integrates seamlessly with existing FDA authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, adding a targeted international component without overriding core U.S. regulatory standards. The national security clause ensures compliance with broader federal priorities.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it falls under Congress's powers to regulate commerce and foreign affairs, promoting international cooperation without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Reinforces U.S. support for the Abraham Accords as a diplomatic framework, potentially advancing Middle East peace and economic ties, though it may draw scrutiny over resource allocation in a polarized political environment. The bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad appeal for health-focused foreign policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (5 pages)