Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act
The Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act would tighten how the United States handles foreign assistance commodities (such as food, medicine, vaccines, family planning products, and related supplies). It requires that these commodities—whether perishable or nonperishable and whether held by the U.S. government or its implementing partners—be made available to the intended beneficiaries before they spoil or expire, including through donation. The bill also directs expedited funding to ensure delivery or donation to beneficiaries, prohibits destruction of commodities unless every reasonable option to sell or donate has been attempted, and creates a quarterly/annual reporting requirement to Congress on any commodities that expired, spoiled, or were destroyed prior to delivery. The overall goal is to reduce waste, safeguard lives, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. foreign assistance while increasing accountability. The bill is framed with findings about the humanitarian, health, and economic benefits of foreign assistance, including the role of U.S. food aid and vaccines in saving lives and supporting partner countries, and it links waste reduction to taxpayer value. It would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to implement these rules.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on destruction and a requirement to make available before spoilage/expiration: Perishable and nonperishable foreign assistance commodities procured or held by the U.S. government or its implementing partners must be made available to intended beneficiaries before they spoil or expire, including through donation.
- 2Expedited funding to ensure delivery: If a commodity is in the possession or control of a foreign assistance implementing partner, the Secretary of State (with input from USDA and USAID as appropriate) must rapidly release funds to deliver or donate the commodity to beneficiaries before spoilage/expiration.
- 3No destruction without first attempting to use or donate: Commodities should not be destroyed unless all reasonable efforts have been made to sell, donate, or otherwise make them available to intended beneficiaries.
- 4Reporting requirement to Congress: Within 90 days after enactment and annually thereafter, the relevant Secretaries must report on any expired, spoiled, or destroyed commodities, including details on negotiations/plans, reasons for non-delivery, intended purpose, beneficiary locations, procurement/market value, and destruction/disposal costs.
- 5Definitions and scope: The bill defines “commodities” broadly to include medicines, vaccines, medical devices, food, and related products stored by the U.S. government or implementing partners. It also clarifies which congressional committees are involved for reporting and oversight.