EBOLA Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4929
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T04:53:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 4929 (Epidemic Barrier and Outbreak Leadership Act or EBOLA Act)
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to mandate the United States' continued involvement in the World Health Organization (WHO) to address global infectious disease threats. It responds to a 2026 Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa by requiring the U.S. to rejoin the WHO and support its response efforts, citing risks to national security, public health, and the economy.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Rejoining Requirement: The President, working with the Secretary of State, must complete steps to rejoin the WHO within 30 days of the bill's enactment.
- Immediate Collaboration: The U.S. must work with the WHO right away to manage the Ebola outbreak.
- Funding Authorization: The bill allows Congress to provide necessary funds for:
- Paying dues and other costs to restore U.S. membership in the WHO.
- Supporting the WHO and other United Nations groups in fighting the Ebola epidemic, including voluntary contributions to prevent spread to the U.S.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The bill would reverse the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, which was completed via Executive Order 14155 on January 22, 2026. It introduces a legal requirement for rejoining, shifting from executive discretion to a congressional mandate on international health organization participation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The executive branch, particularly the State Department, would handle rejoining and coordination; funding could affect budget allocations for global health programs.
- Citizens: Enhanced disease monitoring could improve protection against outbreaks reaching the U.S., but it might involve increased taxpayer spending on international contributions.
- International Relations: Strengthens ties with the WHO and other nations for health coordination, potentially improving U.S. access to global disease data and response networks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. government entities, including the President, State Department, and health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The WHO and United Nations bodies involved in outbreak response.
- American citizens, especially regarding public health security.
- Countries in Central and Eastern Africa dealing with the Ebola outbreak, along with international partners.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
This legislation asserts Congress's role in foreign policy by directing executive action on treaty-like participation in an international body. It could raise questions about the balance of power between branches, as the prior withdrawal occurred through executive order, while this bill uses appropriations authority to enforce rejoining. No direct constitutional challenges are addressed in the text itself.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-24: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-06-24: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Epidemic Barrier and Outbreak Leadership Act — issued 2026-06-24 — PDF (4 pages)