Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73

§2412 Limitation on foreign assistance appropriations

Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 32— - FOREIGN ASSISTANCE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Part Part III— - Miscellaneous Provisions › § 2412

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Prevents foreign aid money (including foreign military sales) from being spent or committed unless the appropriation was already authorized by law, or unless the spending does not exceed an amount already set by law. If a later law passed after the appropriation allows the spending, this limit does not apply. Only a law passed after January 12, 1971 that specifically cancels or changes these rules can override them.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §2412

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Notwithstanding any provision of law enacted before January 12, 1971, no money appropriated for foreign assistance (including foreign military sales) shall be available for obligation or expenditure—

(1)unless the appropriation thereof has been previously authorized by law; or

(2)in excess of an amount previously prescribed by law.

(b)To the extent that legislation enacted after the making of an appropriation for foreign assistance (including foreign military sales) authorizes the obligation or expenditure thereof, the limitation contained in subsection (a) shall have no effect.

(c)The provisions of this section shall not be superseded except by a provision of law enacted after January 12, 1971, which specifically repeals or modifies the provisions of this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was not enacted as part of Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, known as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which comprises this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 2412

Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73