SUPPLIES Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7307
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-23T23:11:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The SUPPLIES Act (H.R. 7307) aims to create standardized rules for handling leftover supplies and goods in foreign aid programs run by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Its main goal is to prevent waste, such as the loss, destruction, or expiration of unused items when these programs end, ensuring resources are used effectively.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Procedures: Within 60 days of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of State and the USAID Administrator must develop guidelines for disposing of "residual inventory" (unused supplies or commodities) after a program, project, or activity ends. These guidelines must focus on avoiding diversion (misuse), destruction, or letting items expire unused.
- Public Disclosure: The procedures must be posted on the publicly accessible websites of the Department of State and USAID.
- Definition of Key Terms: A "commodity" includes perishable or non-perishable items like medicines, vaccines, medical devices, food, or other products bought, stored, or managed by the U.S. government or its foreign aid partners for assistance purposes. This covers items in warehouses, ships, containers, or other storage.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandatory requirements for formal procedures on inventory disposal, which were not previously standardized in law for these agencies. It builds on existing foreign aid management practices by adding specific timelines, priorities against waste, and public transparency rules, potentially filling gaps in how leftover aid supplies are handled to reduce inefficiency.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of State and USAID will face increased administrative duties to create and publish these procedures, promoting better inventory tracking and accountability in foreign aid spending. This could lead to cost savings by reusing or redirecting supplies rather than discarding them.
- On Citizens: U.S. taxpayers may benefit from reduced waste of public funds allocated to international programs, ensuring aid dollars are maximized.
- On International Relations: Recipient countries and aid partners could receive more efficient support, as usable supplies are less likely to be lost, potentially strengthening U.S. aid partnerships and trust in American assistance programs. No direct impact on domestic citizens beyond fiscal efficiency.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: U.S. Department of State and USAID, including their staff responsible for program management and procurement.
- Secondary: Foreign assistance implementing partners (e.g., non-profits or contractors handling U.S. aid overseas) who manage or store commodities.
- Broader: U.S. taxpayers funding these programs and international recipients of aid, who stand to gain from reduced waste.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces procedural mandates without overriding existing aid laws, but it could invite future oversight or audits to ensure compliance. The 60-day deadline adds urgency, potentially requiring quick internal policy adjustments.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending and foreign affairs under Article I.
- Political: Emphasizes fiscal responsibility and anti-waste measures in foreign aid, appealing to bipartisan concerns about government efficiency. Sponsored by a diverse group of House members, it signals cross-party support for improving aid delivery without altering funding levels.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Uniform Procedures to Prevent the Loss, Incineration, and Expiration of Supplies Act — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (3 pages)