Sponsors (12)
The bill speeds resumption of life-saving mine-clearance and aid programs abroad, trading faster humanitarian and economic benefits for increased executive discretion, potential oversight gaps, and possible additional costs to U.S. taxpayers.
People living in conflict or post-conflict areas will have mine-clearing and unexploded ordnance programs resume sooner, reducing immediate risks of injury and death.
Rural communities and local governments will regain safe access to land and infrastructure sooner, enabling quicker restoration of agriculture and local economic activity.
U.S. humanitarian and stabilization efforts will be reactivated promptly, supporting diplomatic and development objectives abroad.
State and local governments and program beneficiaries could face risks from insufficient oversight or planning if programs resume before safeguards, contracting, or local coordination are reestablished.
U.S. taxpayers may face increased program spending or reallocation of State Department resources due to issuing the waiver and restarting programs without changes to Congressional appropriations.
Using executive-waiver authority may bypass longer interagency review or Congressional input on foreign assistance priorities, raising concerns about reduced oversight and democratic checks.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Stephen F. Lynch · Last progress February 12, 2025
Directs the Secretary of State to quickly issue a waiver under Executive Order authority so that the Department of State can immediately resume its existing programs for demining, clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), and destroying small arms. The waiver must be issued as soon as practicable after the law takes effect and applies to current Department of State activities in those areas, using the cited executive authority to remove the obstacle that halted those programs.