S.Amdt. 3554

The amendment, known as the Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act, aims to stop the destruction of foreign assistance products and commodities. It proposes to add a new section to the bill that prohibits the destruction of these items unless every effort has been made to sell, donate, or otherwise make them available to the people they were intended to help before they spoil or expire.

The amendment intends to change and add the following to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961:

• Mandatory Availability: It requires that perishable and nonperishable products—such as food, vaccines, medicine, and medical devices—managed or held by the U.S. Government or its partners be made available to intended beneficiaries for their intended purpose before they expire.

• Funding for Delivery: It directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Agriculture, or the USAID Administrator to release necessary funds on an expedited basis to ensure these items are delivered or donated before they spoil.

• Accountability and Reporting: It requires the Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of Agriculture and USAID, to submit an annual report to specific congressional committees. This report must detail any commodities that were destroyed, expired, or spoiled, including:

  • The efforts made to get the items to beneficiaries.
  • Why the items were not delivered.
  • The purpose and location of the intended beneficiaries.
  • The market and procured value of the items.
  • The cost spent to destroy the items.