Protect U.S. National Security Act
The Protect U.S. National Security Act would bar the use of federal funds to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent establishment. It directs Congress to maintain USAID’s status and to consider reforms that preserve U.S. soft power, prevent adversaries from filling the international development role, and strengthen national security. The bill also states that only Congress can eliminate USAID as an independent establishment, a status tied to federal law. Additionally, the Secretary of State would be required to certify, within 30 days of enactment and annually for five years, that the prohibition is being followed and that USAID remains an independent establishment. In short, the bill seeks to lock in USAID’s independence and prevent funding moves aimed at dissolving that status, while emphasizing reform that complies with existing laws and strengthens U.S. strategic interests.
Key Points
- 1Prohibits using federal funds to eliminate USAID’s status as an independent establishment (as defined by 5 U.S.C. 104).
- 2States that any reform or reorganization of USAID should follow existing law, preserve U.S. soft power, and avoid leaving a vacuum that competitors could fill.
- 3Declares that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID as an independent establishment.
- 4Requires the Secretary of State to certify, within 30 days after enactment and annually for five years, that the prohibition is being complied with.
- 5Defines “appropriate committees of Congress” as the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations for purposes of oversight.