Evan Anzoo Memorial Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7271
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-28T08:06:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Evan Anzoo Memorial Act (H.R. 7271) aims to assess the human impact of disruptions to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including a "stop work order" (a directive to halt operations), discontinuation of services, and the agency's closure. It requires an independent report to document deaths linked to these actions, honoring specific individuals and raising awareness of broader consequences.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The legislation is named the "Evan Anzoo Memorial Act."
- Final Report Requirement: Within one year of enactment, the Comptroller General of the United States (head of the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, an independent agency that audits government operations) must submit a detailed report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The report must also be publicly available online and cover:
- An estimate of deaths in 2025 caused by the USAID stop work order, service discontinuation, and agency shuttering.
- An estimate of future deaths over the next five years due to lost access to USAID-provided services (e.g., HIV/AIDS treatments, oxygen supplies, malaria medications, and antiretroviral drugs).
- A determination of whether 10 specific individuals died as a direct result of these disruptions, including children and adults from South Sudan, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, who lost access to critical health aids.
- A list of any other known individuals who died due to these USAID-related interruptions.
- Interim Update: Within 180 days of enactment, the Comptroller General must provide Congress with preliminary findings on the above topics.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces no direct amendments to prior laws. Instead, it creates a new mandate for the GAO to conduct and report on an investigation into USAID's operational disruptions. It builds on the GAO's existing authority to review federal agencies but specifies a focused, time-bound study without altering USAID's structure, funding, or operations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The GAO will need to allocate resources for data collection, potentially involving fieldwork or collaboration with international health organizations. USAID may face increased scrutiny, which could influence future audits or policy reviews.
- On Citizens: U.S. taxpayers and voters may gain public insight into the humanitarian costs of foreign aid reductions, potentially affecting support for international assistance programs. No direct impact on domestic U.S. citizens.
- On International Relations: Recipient countries (e.g., South Sudan, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda) and global health partners could see renewed attention to aid gaps, possibly pressuring the U.S. to restore or adjust funding. It highlights risks to vulnerable populations, such as children with treatable diseases, in low-income regions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Entities: GAO (responsible for the report), USAID (subject of the review), and congressional committees (recipients of findings).
- International Aid Recipients: Individuals and communities in affected countries who relied on USAID health services, particularly those with HIV/AIDS, malaria, or respiratory needs; families of the named deceased individuals.
- Advocacy Groups and Policymakers: Humanitarian organizations, foreign policy experts, and members of Congress focused on global health, who may use the report to advocate for aid continuity.
- Broader Public: Global health advocates and the international community, as the public report could inform debates on U.S. foreign aid commitments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces accountability through GAO's non-partisan investigative role, ensuring evidence-based findings without judicial involvement. It does not create new enforcement mechanisms but could support future litigation or policy changes if deaths are confirmed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight powers over executive agencies (under Article I) and spending authority, posing no apparent conflicts with separation of powers.
- Political: By naming specific victims and estimating deaths, the act could intensify partisan debates on foreign aid budgets, especially amid efforts to reduce USAID operations. It may pressure administrations to justify cuts, potentially influencing elections or international diplomacy by underscoring U.S. humanitarian leadership.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (23)
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Evan Anzoo Memorial Act — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (4 pages)