AUDIT Act Assessing Unintended Drivers of Illegal Trafficking Act
Impact
The implementation of HB 1775, if enacted, would impose a structured reporting mechanism on federal agencies that allocate grants related to migrant and asylum seeker services. This level of transparency seeks to ensure that taxpayer funds are utilized effectively, particularly focusing on programs that build asylum processing capabilities, provide legal aid, and support other essential services for migrants. The bill also introduces explicit prohibitions against grants to partners that offer abortion services to asylum seekers, thus intertwining funding with broader discussions about reproductive rights in the context of immigration.
Summary
House Bill 1775, known as the Assessing Unintended Drivers of Illegal Trafficking Act (AUDIT Act), primarily aims to enhance transparency regarding federal grant disbursements related to migrant and asylum seeker services in Central and South America. The bill requires that the Department of State and the USAID provide quarterly reports that detail the allocation of funds to various implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations. The reports must explain the selection process of the partners, the amount of funding received, and specifics regarding asylum claim processing capacities in the respective countries.
Contention
Notable points of contention around HB 1775 include the restriction on funding for abortion-related services, which opponents argue could diminish the support available for vulnerable populations in need. Critics highlight the potential implications of limiting healthcare services for asylum seekers, especially those coming from regions where reproductive rights are already severely restricted. Additionally, the increased bureaucratic requirements imposed by the reporting mechanism could be seen as burdensome by some entities that rely on swift and flexible funding to address urgent migrant crises.
Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 Legal Workforce Act Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023 Visa Overstays Penalties Act Protection of Children Act of 2023 Ensuring United Families at the Border Act Border Safety and Migrant Protection Act of 2023 Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2023
Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.