Sponsors (11)
The bill directs substantial, multi-year U.S. investment and a private-style Enterprise Fund to spur Haitian recovery, jobs, and stability—potentially reducing migration pressures—while increasing U.S. fiscal exposure and concentrating spending discretion outside traditional congressional controls, raising oversight, equity, rights, and sovereignty concerns.
Small businesses, nonprofits, and Haitian communities will receive steady, multi-year U.S. funding (authorizations of $1 billion/year FY2026–FY2031 and funds available until expended) to finance projects and programs in Haiti.
Haitian micro, small, and medium enterprises, startups, and diaspora joint ventures gain increased access to financing, technical assistance, credit instruments, and private capital to grow businesses and create jobs.
Haitian households and communities could see improved infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, and security support (roads, ports, water, electricity, food, health, DDR/security assistance), which can create jobs, improve services, and reduce migration pressures.
U.S. taxpayers face substantial new fiscal exposure (authorizations up to roughly $6 billion plus potential ongoing assistance and program costs) and risk of investment losses that could require further subsidies or write-downs.
The bill reduces congressional control and increases executive flexibility (designation of a nonprofit outside federal employment rules, ability to retain and spend returns without appropriation, statutory waivers), weakening traditional oversight safeguards.
Private investors and better‑connected firms (including diaspora investors) could capture disproportionate benefits as the structure and appointee requirements favor private‑sector finance experience and allow private return-sharing, risking unequal gains for the poorest Haitians.
Based on analysis of 13 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DFC‑operated, private nonprofit Enterprise Fund with $1B/year (FY2026–FY2031) to finance Haitian private‑sector development and resilient infrastructure, with oversight and repayment required by 12/31/2031.
Official title: To authorize the establishment of a Haitian American Enterprise Fund for Haiti, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 7, 2025 by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick · Last progress February 7, 2025
Creates and funds a U.S.-backed private nonprofit “Enterprise Fund” to finance Haitian private‑sector development, infrastructure, and institution building, with annual appropriations of $1 billion for FY2026–FY2031. It sets investment priorities and limits, requires independent and congressional oversight and audits, establishes an Oversight Panel and DFC management, and requires the Fund to repay U.S. contributions and terminate by December 31, 2031. The bill emphasizes support for micro, small, and medium enterprises, resilient infrastructure, democracy and rule‑of‑law goals, diaspora engagement, and anti‑corruption measures. It authorizes solicitation of private capital, restricts grant and administrative shares of federal funds, and mandates frequent public and congressional reporting and audits to monitor performance, fiscal integrity, and commercial viability of projects.