The STAND Act (Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act) would pause all bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance funded by the U.S. government for 60 days after a disaster occurs and the President declares it under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The funding pause applies to the Department of State and USAID and would prevent new obligations or expenditures for these types of aid during the 60-day window. A waiver can be granted only via a joint resolution passed by Congress after the bill’s enactment. The measure does not affect defense-related foreign aid. In short, the bill would delay certain international aid following a disaster unless Congress explicitly approves a waiver, with the intent presumably to scrutinize spending in the immediate post-disaster period.
Key Points
- 1Applies to Department of State and USAID; bars obligated or expended funds for bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance within 60 days after a disaster occurs and is declared under the Stafford Act.
- 2The 60-day pause is triggered by the disaster occurrence date (not just the declaration date) and only for non-defense foreign assistance.
- 3Waivers are possible, but only through a joint resolution enacted into law after the bill’s passage; this gives Congress a direct mechanism to override the pause.
- 4Excludes defense-related foreign assistance from the pause; defense aid remains unaffected by this act.
- 5Short title and purpose: the act is called the Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters Act, or the STAND Act.