Sponsors (19)
The bill strengthens guarantees of nutritious meals for Gaza children and increases transparency and congressional oversight of food aid, but those oversight and reporting requirements risk delaying aid, exposing sensitive information that could deter donors, and impose administrative burdens on implementers.
Gaza children would be ensured at least three nutritious meals daily, reducing hunger and malnutrition among minors.
Increases transparency and oversight by requiring public reporting on food distribution (quantities, numbers served, donors, distribution methods) and prompt congressional notification when assistance is denied or misused, enabling taxpayers and families to track aid and enabling faster corrective action.
Tight oversight and coordination requirements (including coordination with other actors) may delay or constrain rapid humanitarian deliveries, reducing timely assistance to low-income families and children on the ground.
Public reporting requirements could disclose sensitive operational details or donor identities, discouraging donors or complicating safe aid delivery and program operations.
Imposes an administrative burden on the State Department to design, coordinate, and implement new oversight and reporting within 30 days, diverting staff time and resources and potentially increasing costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Secretary of State to certify oversight policies and report publicly that food assistance to Gaza provides at least three meals daily for children and two for other civilians.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Maxine Waters · Last progress February 12, 2026
Requires the Secretary of State to certify to Congress within 30 days that the Department of State has put in place and is using oversight policies and procedures—developed with UN agencies, donors, international NGOs, the Government of Israel, and Palestinian representatives as appropriate—to ensure sufficient food assistance reaches Gaza civilians. The certification must confirm arrangements that guarantee children receive at least three nutritious meals daily and other civilians at least two, and must be accompanied by a public report describing distribution quantities, recipients, donors, and methods. The Secretary must also promptly notify Congress when assistance is denied entry to Gaza or is diverted or misused, with specified incident details.