Us Congress House Bill HB459

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/15/25

Caption

Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act or the STAND ActThis bill prohibits the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development from obligating or expending federal funds for bilateral, multilateral, or humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance within the first 60 days following a presidentially declared major disaster. The prohibition may be waived if a joint resolution of Congress providing for such a waiver is enacted into law. 

Impact

This bill, if enacted, would significantly alter the United States' approach to international aid, particularly in the context of natural disasters. It prioritizes domestic over foreign assistance in situations where federal disaster declarations are made, reflecting a shift towards focusing resources on recovery and support for affected Americans. While proponents argue this measure can help ensure that resources are effectively directed towards national recovery efforts, it potentially risks America's role in global humanitarian response.

Summary

House Bill 459, known as the STAND Act (Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act), proposes to withhold all forms of non-defense foreign assistance from being allocated for a period of 60 days following a disaster declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The primary aim of this legislation is to ensure that federal funds are not obligated to international assistance during a time when domestic responses to disasters may be more pressing and critical.

Contention

Notably, the bill carries the potential for substantial debate regarding its implications for global humanitarian efforts and relationships with foreign nations. Critics may argue that withholding aid during certain disaster situations can exacerbate humanitarian crises abroad and undermine U.S. leadership in global disaster response. Additionally, the waiver provision included in the bill, allowing a joint resolution to override the withholding, introduces a layer of legislative complexity that can lead to political disagreements over what constitutes necessary assistance.

Congress_id

119-HR-459

Policy_area

Emergency Management

Introduced_date

2025-01-15