Bill · H.Res. 199· House(119-HRES-199)
Condemning woke foreign aid programs.
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Burchett
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses firm opposition to various foreign aid programs categorized as ideologically driven or frivolous. It lists numerous specific expenditures by the United States in various countries, ranging from transgender health and diversity programs to musical performances and cooking classes. The resolution calls for increased oversight, including a comprehensive audit of Department of State and USAID grants since 2021. It further urges the suspension of similar discretionary grants until they are reviewed for alignment with national interests. Additionally, it seeks to mandate transparency through a new online database and proposes capping spending on cultural exchange and advocacy grants. Finally, the resolution intends to draft legislation to prohibit funding for overseas programs that lack a direct benefit to national security or economic interests.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The resolution demands a searchable online database for public disclosure of grant applications and outcomes.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+5
The resolution seeks to suspend and cap various discretionary foreign aid grants.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
The resolution calls for increased oversight, audits, and congressional approval for many grants to ensure fiscal responsibility.
The opposite
Does this send more money or help to other countries?-5
The resolution opposes many current foreign aid programs and seeks to cap spending on cultural exchange and advocacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Oversight and Accountability: The resolution calls for a comprehensive audit by the Government Accountability Office of grants awarded by the Department of State and USAID since 2021, which could ensure better management of funds (Section 2).
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Greater Transparency: By mandating a searchable online database for grant applications, justifications, and outcomes, the public would have better access to how their money is being used (Section 4).
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Focus on Domestic Needs: The resolution recommends redirecting funds currently used for these foreign programs toward domestic priorities such as infrastructure repair, veteran health care, or disaster relief efforts (Section 5).
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Improved Evaluation of Grant Success: Encouraging inspectors general to conduct annual reviews of grant efficacy could lead to better reporting on whether programs actually achieve their goals (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduction in Foreign Programming: The resolution urges the immediate suspension of various discretionary grants, which could halt ongoing programs like Iraqi Sesame Street or gender equality workshops (Section 3).
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Limitations on Cultural and Advocacy Efforts: Proposing a cap of 0.1 percent of the Federal discretionary budget on cultural exchange and advocacy grants could limit the scope of these international programs (Section 7).
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Increased Bureaucracy for Foreign Aid: Requiring explicit congressional approval for all future grants over $10,000 could change how current aid is distributed (Section 8).
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Loss of Specific International Initiatives: The intent to prohibit funding for programs that do not have a clear and direct benefit to United States national security or economic interests could end current social and cultural programs abroad (Section 9).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5Reduces Government Spending+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Veterans+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Foreign Aid-5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+3
- 3/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas