Bill · H.R. 4303· House(119-HR-4303)
To establish a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 7/7/2025
- Last activity
- 7/7/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Chellie Pingree
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes the creation of a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers, a position with the rank of ambassador. The Special Envoy would be responsible for investigating the death, fatal injury, or detention of aid workers and advocating for better coordination and security for humanitarian missions. Additionally, the bill establishes an Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group to analyze such incidents and report findings to Congress. The legislation also seeks to prohibit security assistance and defense articles to foreign countries that unlawfully kill or injure aid workers or refuse to provide information. Finally, the bill requires regular reports to Congress regarding the working environment for aid workers and the effectiveness of international coordination efforts.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+7
The bill enhances diplomatic oversight by creating a Special Envoy to advocate for the safety of humanitarian personnel abroad.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill mandates regular reports to Congress and creates an independent inquiry group to investigate incidents involving aid workers.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill improves the protection and coordination of those performing humanitarian relief missions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Aid Workers: The bill creates a Special Envoy to inquire into the death, fatal injury, or detention of aid workers, which could help ensure their safety while providing assistance (Section 1, (a)(3)(A)).
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Improved Security Coordination: The Special Envoy is tasked with advocating for robust coordination and deconfliction between humanitarian missions, international bodies, and foreign security forces (Section 1, (a)(3)(B)).
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Advocacy for Safety Standards: The role includes advocating for foreign countries to adopt best practices, including specific security measures for aid workers (Section 1, (a)(3)(C)).
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Prevention of Interference: The bill empowers the Special Envoy to advocate for the ability of nongovernmental organizations to provide aid without interference from the security of a foreign country (Section 1, (a)(3)(E)).
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Accountability for Violence: By prohibiting security assistance and defense articles to countries that unlawfully kill or injure aid workers, the bill creates a mechanism to hold foreign governments accountable (Section 2, (a)(1)).
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Transparency through Investigation: The establishment of the Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group allows for detailed assessments of incidents involving death or detention, including whether defense articles used were from United States assistance (Section 2, (b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Security Assistance: Foreign countries could lose access to security assistance and defense articles if they are found to have unlawfully killed or injured aid workers or failed to provide information (Section 2, (a)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4
- 10/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan