# Summary of U.S. Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill
This document is a comprehensive federal appropriations bill for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for fiscal year 2026. It contains detailed provisions governing the allocation, use, and reporting requirements for foreign assistance funds.
## Key Provisions
1. **Funding Restrictions**:
- Prohibits funding for abortions as a method of family planning or involuntary sterilization
- Bans direct assistance to governments of Cuba, North Korea, or Iran
- Prohibits assistance to countries that have experienced a military coup d'état
- Restricts assistance to countries in default on U.S. loans
- Prohibits funding for countries supporting international terrorism
2. **Notification Requirements**:
- Mandates 15-day advance notification to Congress for program changes exceeding $1 million or 10%
- Requires prior consultation for major program changes or reprogramming
- Requires notification for assistance to specific countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and others
3. **Funding Allocation Rules**:
- Specifies minimum funding levels for various programs
- Limits deviations from designated amounts to 10% (up to 50% for national security emergencies)
- Requires detailed reports on fund allocation at program, project, and activity levels
4. **Prohibited Expenditures**:
- Bans first-class travel in contravention of federal regulations
- Prohibits use of funds for tobacco promotion
- Restricts use of funds for entertainment at recreational events
- Requires computer network filters to block sexually explicit websites
5. **Reporting and Transparency**:
- Requires posting of reports on public websites within 45 days
- Mandates detailed beneficiary feedback collection for assistance programs
- Requires impact evaluations of foreign assistance programs
- Requires coordination of foreign assistance with Department of State programs
6. **Transfer Authorities**:
- Allows limited transfers between appropriations accounts (up to 5%)
- Requires prior consultation for significant transfers
- Prohibits transfers to other departments without specific authorization
This bill represents a comprehensive framework for U.S. foreign assistance, emphasizing accountability, transparency, national security considerations, and restrictions on certain types of funding. It contains numerous specific prohibitions and requirements aimed at ensuring U.S. foreign aid serves American interests while adhering to specific policy constraints.
Rescissions Act of 2025 This act rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided to the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), various independent and related agencies, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The rescissions were proposed by the President under procedures included in the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress using specified procedures, and the rescissions must be enacted into law to take effect. Specifically, the act rescinds funds that were provided to the State Department or the President for Contributions to International Organizations; Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities; Global Health Programs (excluding funds for programs addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, or maternal and child health); Migration and Refugee Assistance; the Complex Crises Fund; the Democracy Fund; the Economic Support Fund (excluding funds for assistance to Jordan, Egypt, or the Countering PRC Influence Fund); Contributions to the Clean Technology Fund; International Organization and Programs; Development Assistance (excluding funds for Feed the Future Innovation Labs, the Countering PRC Influence Fund, or commodity-based food aid); Assistance for Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia; International Disaster Assistance (excluding funds for commodity-based food aid); and Transition Initiatives. The act also rescinds funds that were provided for USAID Operating Expenses, the Inter-American Foundation, the U.S. African Development Foundation, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
