Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act
Foreign Aid: Penalties for Stealing or Destroying U.S. Humanitarian Assistance
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill, introduced by Mr. McCormick, would hold foreign individuals or groups financially responsible if they steal, redirect, or destroy U.S. humanitarian aid. This includes food, medicine, or other supplies sent to help people in need around the world.
- If the Secretary of State finds that a foreign group interfered with aid, that group would owe the U.S. government the full cash value of the lost items. This rule applies even if the aid was being delivered through international organizations like the United Nations.
- Any money recovered from these groups would be returned to the State Department or the specific agency that originally paid for the aid. This ensures the funds can be used again for their intended purpose rather than being lost to theft or corruption.
- The Secretary of State would have the power to waive these penalties if they decide that doing so is necessary for U.S. national security or other important national interests.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 1.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.