Aid Accountability Act of 2025
Aid Accountability Act of 2025 would substantially strengthen penalties for violating the requirements of section 104(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The bill adds new enforcement mechanisms and consequences for both individuals and entities involved in administering or receiving U.S. foreign aid. Key provisions include terminating federal employment for knowingly violators and requiring restitution of illegally allocated funds by individuals; prohibiting future federal funding for violators among grantees, sub-grantees, contractors, or other recipients; giving the Secretary of State final authority to determine violations and penalties with limited avenues for appeal; and mandating a congressional report within 60 days of any determination. Final agency determinations would be subject to the Congressional Review Act, limiting lower-level or administrative reversals. Overall, the bill aims to increase accountability and financial consequences for misuse or misallocation of foreign aid funds, concentrating enforcement authority in the State Department and imposing bar on future federal funding for offenders.
Key Points
- 1Creates penalties for federal employees who knowingly violate section 104(f): termination from federal employment and prohibition on future federal employment, plus restitution equal to the amount of funds illegitimately allocated.
- 2Extends penalties to recipients of federal funds: grantees, sub-grantees, contractors, or other recipients who violate the requirements may not receive future federal funds.
- 3The Secretary of State has the final say on violations and penalties, with determinations not subject to review or reversal except by a federal court of competent jurisdiction.
- 4The Secretary must report to Congress within 60 days after a violation determination, detailing the nature of the violation, involved individuals, and steps to prevent recurrence.
- 5Final determinations are subject to the procedures of the Congressional Review Act, providing a limited statutory pathway for potential congressional review.