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119-s-3420119th Congress

Commitment to Aid Workers Act

Sponsored By: Senator Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a Presidential-appointed Special Envoy to protect humanitarian aid workers and push for safer, better-coordinated U.S.-supported relief operations. This bill would also limit U.S. security assistance and defense sales to countries that unlawfully kill or fatally injure aid workers and would set up a fast, independent inquiry process for those incidents.

Show full summary
  • Aid workers and NGOs: Would establish an Envoy with the rank of ambassador to investigate deaths or detentions, advocate deconfliction with foreign forces, promote best practices, and submit annual reports to Congress starting within one year on security challenges, coordination, and U.S. humanitarian aid totals.
  • Foreign governments: Would bar security assistance and defense articles to countries the Secretary certifies unlawfully killed or fatally injured humanitarian aid workers unless the country investigates, adopts corrective actions, brings responsible personnel to justice, and ensures safe NGO operations; certifications must be submitted 15 days before taking effect.
  • U.S. oversight and investigations: Would create an Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group led by the Envoy and staffed by the Department of Justice, State Department, FBI, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and others to report to Congress within 90 days of an incident or 45 days if the victim is a U.S. citizen.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Block security aid to offending countries

If enacted, the bill would bar U.S. security assistance and some defense transfers to any country the Secretary of State certifies unlawfully killed or fatally injured humanitarian aid workers or refused reasonable information requests. Assistance could be restored only if the Secretary certifies the country investigated prior violations, adopted corrective actions, brought responsible security force members to justice, coordinated active humanitarian missions, and will protect aid workers. Any certification to permit transfers must be submitted at least 15 days before it takes effect.

Definitions for Humanitarian Aid Missions

If enacted, the bill would set key definitions used elsewhere. "Active humanitarian aid mission" would mean an organized, ongoing effort abroad that delivers U.S. humanitarian assistance. "Humanitarian aid worker" would mean a person taking part in such a mission. "Unlawful killing" would mean, outside armed conflict, murder or manslaughter under U.S. law, and in armed conflict, force inconsistent with the Department of Defense Law of War Manual.

New Special Envoy for Aid Workers

If enacted, the bill would create a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers. The Envoy would report to the Secretary of State and have ambassador rank. The Envoy must set up an Aid Worker Independent Inquiry Group within 60 days of appointment. The group would investigate deaths, fatal injuries, and detentions that happen after enactment and send incident reports to Congress within 90 days, or 45 days if the victim is a U.S. citizen. The Envoy would also give an annual report to Congress and a first assessment of U.N. deconfliction within one year.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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