January 13, 1995

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1st Session

S. 230

To prohibit United States assistance to countries that prohibit or restrict the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 13 (legislative day, January 10), 1995

Mr. Dole (for himself, Mr. Simon, Mr. Helms, Mr. Robb, Mr. McCain, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Gramm, and Mr. Hatfield) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To prohibit United States assistance to countries that prohibit or restrict the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

• The Congress makes the following findings:
• The United States Federal budget deficit and spending constraints require the maximum efficiency in the usage of United States foreign assistance.
• The delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need is consistent with the fundamental values of our Nation and is an important component of United States foreign policy.
• As a matter of principle and in furtherance of fiscal prudence, the United States should seek to promote the delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need in a manner that is both timely and cost effective.
• Recipients of United States assistance should not hinder or delay the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance to other countries.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES THAT RESTRICT THE TRANSPORT OR DELIVERY OF UNITED STATES HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

(a) Prohibition on Assistance.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for United States assistance may not be made available for any country whose government prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.

(b) Waiver.--The prohibition on United States assistance contained in subsection (a) shall not apply if the President determines and notifies Congress in writing that providing such assistance to a country is in the national security interest of the United States.

(c) Resumption of Assistance.--A suspension or termination of United States assistance for any country under subsection (a) shall cease to be effective when the President certifies in writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that such country is no longer prohibiting or otherwise restricting, either directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.

SEC. 4. REPORT.

(a) In General.--At the time of the annual budget submission to Congress, the President shall submit a report to Congress describing any information available to the President concerning prohibitions or restrictions, direct or indirect, on the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance by the government of any country receiving or eligible to receive United States foreign assistance during the current or preceding fiscal year.

(b) Applicability of Law.--The President shall include in the report required by subsection (a) a statement as to whether the prohibition in section 3(a) is being applied to each country for which the President has information available to him concerning prohibitions or restrictions, direct or indirect, on the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.

SEC. 5. DEFINITION.

As used in this Act, the term United States assistance has the same meaning given that term in section 481(e)(4) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

For more information: www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/230/all-actions?s=1&r=38&overview=closed