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119-s-4577119th Congress

Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act

Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

In Committee

Summary

Would reassess the U.S.–Tanzania relationship and target officials tied to human‑rights abuses. The bill would require U.S. agencies to develop a strategy, publish lists of responsible Tanzanian officials, and authorize sanctions plus limits on assistance and investment.

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  • Tanzanian citizens and civil society: Expresses U.S. solidarity and calls for an independent international investigation into the October 2025 violence while pressing for the release of detained religious and opposition leaders.
  • Tanzanian officials and security forces: Would require a listing report within 180 days naming senior officials implicated in abductions, censorship, torture, or other abuses. The President could impose sanctions within 30 days of that report, including asset blocks and visa bans.
  • U.S. foreign policy, aid, and investment: Would require the Secretary of State to produce a reassessment and strategy within 90 days covering democratic reforms, security ties, and economic impacts, including the estimated $238 million cost of the internet shutdown. It would bar most U.S. security assistance and restrict support through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Export‑Import Bank, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and would prohibit Millennium Challenge Corporation funding until certifications of democratic governance are met.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Cut security aid and export finance

If enacted, the bill would block most U.S. security assistance to Tanzania and stop DFC, Export-Import Bank, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency support for Tanzanian entities. Humanitarian, health, and democracy support would still be allowed. The ban would end 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies specified reforms. The Secretary could also waive the ban for U.S. national interests.

Authority to sanction listed persons

If enacted, the President could impose sanctions within 30 days after the listing report. Sanctions could block property and bar visas, including immediate visa revocation. Exceptions would allow transactions for food, medicine, medical devices, humanitarian aid, and required admissions.

Public list of officials tied to abuses

If enacted, the Secretary of State would send Congress a list within 180 days naming senior Tanzanian officials tied to abductions, disappearances, arbitrary detention, attacks on journalists, censorship, torture, and similar abuses. That list would support targeted accountability and possible sanctions.

U.S. review of Tanzania ties

If enacted, the Secretary of State would lead a multi-agency reassessment and send a report to Congress within 90 days. The report would propose a detailed democratic reform strategy and assess U.S. security assistance, human-rights risks, economic effects of unrest and the internet shutdown, and Tanzania's ties with China and Russia.

Pause Millennium Challenge funding

If enacted, the bill would bar Millennium Challenge Corporation threshold programs and compact funds for Tanzania until the MCC Board certifies the country meets governance criteria. The ban would end 30 days after that MCC certification. This would stop MCC grants and compacts that would otherwise support Tanzanian projects.

Automatic end after five years

If enacted, the Act would end five years after enactment. On that date all bans, reporting duties, and authorities in the bill would stop. This limits how long the bill affects agencies, Tanzanian officials, and U.S. partners.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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