February 23, 2026
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Ms. Jacobs) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
To provide for a pilot program to require congressional notification of additional information for certain foreign assistance programs.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Transparency in Foreign Assistance Act
.
Sec. 2. Pilot program to require congressional notification of additional information for certain foreign assistance programs
(a) In general
The Secretary of State shall direct the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs and the Coordinator for Counterterrorism to carry out a one-year pilot program that requires such officials to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of information, in addition to information required under existing law, for new and existing foreign assistance programs under the authorities of such officials that require funds that are in addition to funds made available for such programs under existing law.
(b) Elements
The notification required by subsection (a) shall include, for each program, the following:
(1)
The working name of the program.
(2)
The country or countries where the program will be implemented.
(3)
The mechanism used for the program, such as contract, grant, interagency agreement, bureau transfer.
(4)
The total amount of new funding for the program.
(5)
Whether the program is considered a new program or a continuation or expansion of existing program.
(6)
The total amount of funding that will be needed over the life of the program.
(7)
The expected period of performance for the program using the requested funds.
(8)
The total period of performance of the program up until the time of the request.
(9)
The name of the implementing entity or proposed implementing entity of the program, if selected, and other identifying information about the entity, such as whether the entity is a private or public entity or a United States-based or international entity.
(10)
The intended objectives of the program.
(11)
A description of key components or activities of the program.
(12)
A description of consultations with the chief of mission of the respective country or countries.
(13)
Whether the program has a significant underspend or overspend of funds based on projected spend rates under the program.
(14)
Whether a performance improvement plan or other additional administrative oversight has been established for the program.
(c) Appropriate congressional committees defined
In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(1)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(2)
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.