Bill 119 hr 459, also known as the "Foreign Assistance Withholding and Disaster Declaration Act," aims to restrict the provision of foreign assistance by the United States in the event that the President declares a disaster u...
nder the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This bill specifically targets bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance.
If this bill were to become law, the President would be prohibited from providing foreign assistance in the form of financial aid, resources, or other forms of support to countries or organizations in need of assistance due to a declared disaster. This restriction would apply to both bilateral assistance, which is aid provided directly from the US government to another country, as well as multilateral assistance, which is aid provided through international organizations or alliances.
The rationale behind this bill is to ensure that the United States prioritizes its own domestic disaster relief efforts before providing assistance to other countries. By withholding foreign assistance in the event of a declared disaster, the bill aims to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to address the needs of American citizens affected by disasters.
Overall, Bill 119 hr 459 seeks to establish a policy of prioritizing domestic disaster relief efforts over foreign assistance in times of crisis. It is important to note that this bill does not eliminate foreign assistance altogether, but rather places restrictions on its provision in specific circumstances.