Bill Summary
The "Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act" (STAND Act) is legislation designed to restrict the allocation of federal funds for certain types of foreign assistance in the aftermath of domestic disasters. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development from obligating or spending any bilateral, multilateral, or humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance for a period of 60 days following a disaster declaration made by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This measure aims to ensure that resources are prioritized for disaster relief efforts within the United States before being allocated for international assistance. However, there is a provision that allows for a waiver of this prohibition through a joint resolution passed by Congress.
Possible Impacts
The "Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act" (STAND Act) could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Delay in Humanitarian Aid**: Individuals and communities impacted by a disaster may experience delays in receiving crucial humanitarian assistance from the United States. If non-defense foreign assistance is withheld for 60 days after a disaster declaration, affected populations may struggle to access food, water, shelter, and medical care during a critical recovery period.
2. **Impact on International Relations**: The act could strain relationships with countries that rely on U.S. foreign assistance for disaster relief. Such countries may experience heightened suffering and instability, which could lead to resentment towards the U.S. and affect diplomatic relations, trade, and cooperation on other global issues.
3. **Increased Burden on Local Governments and NGOs**: With the withholding of federal funds, local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may face increased pressure to fill the gap in assistance. This could lead to overextension of resources and a reliance on local fundraising efforts, which may not be sufficient to meet the needs of disaster-affected populations, potentially leading to a humanitarian crisis.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 459 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 459
To withhold bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense
foreign assistance with respect to which of the President has declared
a disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2025
Mr. Steube introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To withhold bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense
foreign assistance with respect to which of the President has declared
a disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Securing Taxpayer Assistance during
Natural Disasters Act'' or the ``STAND Act''.
SEC. 2. WITHHOLDING OF BILATERAL, MULTILATERAL, AND HUMANITARIAN NON-
DEFENSE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--No Federal funds may be obligated or expended by
the Department of State or the United States Agency for International
Development for bilateral, multilateral, or humanitarian non-defense
foreign assistance within 60 days of the date on which a disaster has
occurred and with respect to which of the President has declared a
disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
(b) Waiver.--The prohibition under subsection (a) may be waived in
accordance with the provisions of a joint resolution providing for such
waiver that is enacted into law after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
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