Sponsors (2)
The bill expands TDA/USTDA authority to pursue export‑promoting and strategic infrastructure projects across a wider set of partner countries and to hire flexibly, boosting U.S. commercial and security interests, but it diverts limited development resources to wealthier allies and raises risks for taxpayers and contractor workers.
Small U.S. companies and utilities gain new export and contract opportunities because TDA/USTDA can fund projects across a wider set of partner countries (including high‑income allies) and strategic sectors, potentially creating jobs and revenue.
U.S. strategic interests are strengthened because TDA/USTDA can support projects that reinforce supply chains and critical infrastructure (energy, critical minerals, transport, telecom) in allied countries.
State and local partners and U.S. agencies can move projects faster because TDA has greater flexibility to deploy funds across more partner countries and project types, accelerating bilateral cooperation and project development.
Low‑income populations abroad and development goals could lose out because up to 15% of TDA funds redirected to high‑income countries would reduce money available for lower‑income countries and visible poverty‑reduction projects.
Taxpayers and federal coordination risk increased costs and mission creep because broad authority to fund projects tied to vague "economic and national security" goals could expand TDA's mandate and overlap with other agencies.
Taxpayer funds may face higher political and commercial risk because deploying TDA resources in competitive high‑income markets and strategic infrastructure sectors can expose projects to market competition and geopolitical sensitivities.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Allows USTDA to use up to 15% of annual program funds for projects in high‑income countries tied to U.S. strategic interests and authorizes personal services contractors with annual reporting to Congress.
Official title: To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize assistance for certain development activities in high-income countries, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2026 by James Moylan · Last progress April 30, 2026
Allows the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to spend up to 15% of its annual program funds on projects in high‑income countries when those projects serve U.S. economic or national security interests in energy, critical minerals, transport, or telecommunications. Creates an explicit authority for USTDA to hire personal services contractors (who are not federal employees for OPM purposes) and requires an annual report to Congress on those contractors' numbers, roles, and costs. Makes small but substantive statutory edits to the Foreign Assistance Act to add the new 15% allocation limit and the personal services contractor authority, and requires transparency reporting to Congress about contractor use and costs.