To establish a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers, and for other purposes.
Sponsored By: Representative Pingree
Introduced
Summary
Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers would create an ambassador-ranked position at the State Department to protect aid workers and boost coordination in conflict zones. The envoy would investigate deaths, fatal injuries, and detentions of aid workers on U.S.-supported missions and press foreign governments and international bodies to adopt security and deconfliction best practices.
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- Aid workers and families: The envoy would inquire into deaths, fatal injuries, or detentions of aid workers during U.S.-supported missions and advocate for stronger protections and accountability.
- NGOs and humanitarian operations: The envoy would push for deconfliction and coordination between U.S.-supported missions, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and foreign security forces and promote best practices so NGOs can deliver aid without interference.
- Congress and oversight: The envoy must report to the House and Senate appropriations and foreign affairs committees within one year and annually on security challenges, OCHA's effectiveness, how much U.S. humanitarian aid was distributed in the preceding year, and any policy recommendations. The bill also requires a separate report on OCHA within one year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Block security aid to countries killing aid workers
If enacted, the U.S. would halt security assistance and defense articles to a country if the Secretary of State certifies it unlawfully killed or fatally injured aid workers, or refused reasonable information requests. Aid could resume only if the Secretary also certifies the country investigated, took corrective steps, brought those responsible to justice, coordinates humanitarian missions, and will allow aid workers to operate safely. Certifications must be sent to Congress at least 15 days before taking effect. The bill would define who is a humanitarian aid worker and what counts as an “unlawful killing” in war and outside war.
New envoy to protect aid workers
If enacted, this would create a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers at the State Department with ambassador rank. The President would appoint the Envoy, who would report to the Secretary of State. The Envoy would probe deaths, fatal injuries, or detentions of aid workers on U.S.-supported missions and push for better coordination with foreign forces. Within 60 days of the Envoy’s appointment, an interagency inquiry group would be formed and led by the Envoy. After a covered death or detention, the group would report to Congress within 90 days on causes, weapons used, any likely U.S.-origin arms, foreign cooperation, and legal compliance. The Envoy would also report to Congress within 1 year and then yearly on conflict-area conditions, security challenges, U.N. coordination, U.S. aid delivered, and policy ideas, plus a separate one-year report on the U.N. coordination office.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pingree
ME • D
Cosponsors
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/7/2025
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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