Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7649
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 1.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-12T18:50:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act aims to hold foreign individuals or organizations accountable for the unauthorized diversion (redirection without permission) or destruction of U.S.-funded humanitarian aid, ensuring the U.S. can recover the financial value of such aid to protect taxpayer resources and support global relief efforts.
Key Provisions
- Liability Determination: The Secretary of State can identify any foreign person or entity responsible for diverting or destroying U.S. humanitarian assistance, including aid provided through international organizations. These parties become liable to the U.S. for the full value of the affected aid, overriding any conflicting laws or regulations.
- Recovery Efforts: Once liability is established, the Secretary of State is required to pursue appropriate measures to collect the value of the lost or damaged aid from the responsible party.
- Handling Recovered Funds: Any money recovered can be deposited into a suitable Department of State account and used without expiration. The Secretary may transfer these funds to another federal agency's account if that agency originally funded the aid.
- Waiver Option: The Secretary of State has discretion to waive liability if doing so serves the U.S. national interest, providing flexibility in diplomatic situations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new mechanism for imposing direct financial liability on foreign actors for aid misuse, which overrides prior laws or regulations that might limit such accountability. It expands U.S. authority beyond traditional diplomatic or sanction-based responses, focusing instead on monetary recovery, and allows indefinite use of recovered funds without standard budgetary restrictions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances the Department of State's ability to recoup funds, potentially reducing costs for U.S. taxpayers and improving efficiency in foreign aid programs. Other federal agencies involved in aid funding could benefit from fund transfers.
- On Citizens: Indirectly protects U.S. taxpayers by aiming to minimize waste in humanitarian spending, though individual citizens are not directly affected.
- On International Relations: Could deter aid diversion in conflict zones or unstable regions, strengthening U.S. influence in global aid delivery. However, it might complicate relations with foreign governments if their nationals or entities are targeted, possibly leading to diplomatic tensions or retaliatory actions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Primarily the Department of State, with involvement from other aid-funding agencies like USAID.
- Foreign Persons or Entities: Individuals, organizations, or governments abroad that handle or interact with U.S. aid, facing potential financial penalties.
- International Organizations: Groups like the United Nations or NGOs that distribute U.S.-funded aid, as their programs could be scrutinized for diversion risks.
- Aid Recipients: Populations in need of humanitarian assistance, who may benefit from reduced theft and more reliable delivery.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a novel civil recovery tool enforceable against foreign parties, potentially requiring new administrative processes for determinations and collections. It does not create criminal penalties but focuses on financial liability, which could be pursued through international mechanisms or U.S. courts.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign affairs and spending (under Article I), without apparent conflicts with due process or sovereignty principles, as waivers provide executive discretion.
- Political: Signals a tougher U.S. stance on protecting aid integrity, appealing to lawmakers focused on fiscal responsibility and anti-corruption. It may influence foreign policy by incentivizing better oversight in aid partnerships, though enforcement challenges in uncooperative jurisdictions could limit effectiveness.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 1.
- 2026-03-26: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-23: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-02-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act — issued 2026-02-23 — PDF (3 pages)