Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act

Bill Number

S. 4873

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T18:41:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of S. 4873: Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act

Purpose

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict nonmilitary foreign assistance (such as global health, humanitarian, economic development, and democracy programs) from going to organizations that provide or promote abortion, promote gender ideology, or promote discriminatory equity ideology. The goal is to ensure that U.S. foreign aid does not support these activities.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including:
• Abortion: Any intentional termination of a pregnancy except in cases to save the life or health of the child after viability or to remove a dead unborn child.
• Gender ideology: Concepts that prioritize self-identified gender over biological sex, including support for sex-rejecting procedures or social transitions.
• Discriminatory equity ideology: Ideas that treat people based on group identity rather than individual merit, such as claims that certain groups are inherently superior or that individuals bear guilt for past actions by others.
• Sex-rejecting procedure: Medical interventions intended to align a person's body with a gender identity different from their biological sex.
• Unlawful DEI-related discrimination: Actions that violate U.S. anti-discrimination laws based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• Restrictions on abortion (Section 3): Foreign nongovernmental organizations and international organizations receiving aid must not provide or promote abortion or fund others that do. U.S. organizations must separate their aid-funded work from any abortion activities. Foreign governments may be required to avoid using aid for these purposes.
• Restrictions on gender ideology (Section 4): Similar limits apply to promoting gender ideology, sex-rejecting procedures, or related counseling and education. U.S. organizations must maintain physical and financial separation from such activities.
• Restrictions on discriminatory equity ideology (Section 5): Aid recipients cannot promote these ideologies or engage in related discrimination. Foreign governments may need to segregate funds to prevent misuse.
• Subrecipients and applicability: Rules apply to all subrecipients and cover all nonmilitary foreign assistance programs.
• Exceptions and waiver (Sections 3(f) and 6): Exceptions exist for life-saving abortions or ectopic pregnancies. The Secretary of State can waive rules for national security or foreign policy reasons if certain conditions are met, such as narrow tailoring and good-faith compliance efforts.
• Rule of construction (Section 7): Provisions for U.S. organizations must align with the First Amendment and do not restrict speech or association using non-federal funds outside aid programs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill expands prior limits on foreign aid for abortion (such as those in the Mexico City Policy) by adding new restrictions on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology. It introduces detailed definitions and separation requirements for U.S. organizations, along with a formal waiver process and congressional reporting.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: The Department of State and related offices would enforce compliance, review agreements, and handle waivers, potentially increasing administrative oversight of aid programs.
• On citizens and organizations: U.S. and foreign nongovernmental organizations, as well as international bodies, may face funding limits or need to restructure programs to comply with separation rules.
• On international relations: Aid to foreign governments, parastatals, and partners could be conditioned on avoiding the restricted activities, possibly affecting cooperation in health, humanitarian, and development efforts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. nongovernmental organizations and their programs.
• Foreign nongovernmental organizations and international organizations.
• Foreign governments and parastatals receiving aid.
• The Department of State and congressional committees on foreign relations and oversight.
• Recipients of nonmilitary foreign assistance worldwide.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill includes a rule ensuring consistency with the First Amendment for U.S. organizations' use of private funds. It also allows waivers based on national security, which may balance restrictions with flexibility in foreign policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Cosponsors (8)

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2026-06-23: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (25 pages)