Bill · S. 4577· Senate(119-S-4577)
Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act
- Introduced
- 5/19/2026
- Last activity
- 7/27/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 511.
- Sponsored by
- Jeanne Shaheen
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill requires a complete review of how the United States deals with Tanzania following recent political unrest and violence in that country. It directs the Secretary of State to report on specific foreign individuals in Tanzania who are responsible for human rights violations and suppression of political dissent. The legislation allows the President to place Global Magnitsky sanctions on those specific officials. It cuts off certain types of United States financial support and investments for entities in Tanzania until the Tanzanian government makes serious democratic reforms. The bill also stops Millennium Challenge Corporation funds from going to Tanzania until certain governance standards are met. Finally, the entire law is set to expire five years after it is enacted.
Yes
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+4
The bill reassesses the bilateral relationship and promotes human rights and democratic accountability with a foreign partner.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The legislation mandates reports and reviews from the Secretary of State concerning human rights conditions and foreign relations.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+3
It requires comprehensive reviews and reporting regarding diplomatic and security engagements with Tanzania.
The opposite
Does this send more money or help to other countries?-5
The bill restricts certain economic assistance and investment programs for Tanzania until democratic reforms are met.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 4: This section requires a formal review of United States security assistance to ensure that the Tanzanian military and police forces actually follow human rights laws and protect the safety of citizens and visitors, which promotes accountability for our tax dollars.
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Section 5 and Section 6: These provisions require identifying and sanctioning specific foreign individuals in leadership positions who are responsible for human rights abuses, abductions, censorship, and extrajudicial killings, helping to hold elected and appointed officials accountable for harming the people.
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Section 7 and Section 8: These sections place a freeze on certain types of United States financial assistance, loans, and Millennium Challenge Corporation funds to Tanzania, which protects United States taxpayer money from supporting a government that subverts democracy and harms its citizens.
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Section 7(c): This section explicitly carves out exceptions so that humanitarian assistance, health assistance, and support for democracy, human rights, and civil society can continue to flow to the people of Tanzania despite the broader funding restrictions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 7(a): This provision blocks assistance, grants, loans, and equity investments from the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and the United States Trade and Development Agency for any entity in Tanzania, which could potentially slow down certain economic projects or business investments in the region.
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Section 8(a): This section completely stops Millennium Challenge Corporation funds from being used in Tanzania, which might halt specific development and infrastructure projects that could have otherwise benefited the local population.
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+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+4Improves Diplomatic Engagement+3Increases Foreign Aid-5
- 8/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/27/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 511.
- 6/17/2026
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 5/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas