Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act
Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
In Committee
Summary
Reassess and condition U.S. engagement with Tanzania in response to alleged democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and governance failures. The bill would create a reporting and targeted sanctions pathway tied to specific reforms and certifications.
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- Tanzanian officials and security leaders would face targeted sanctions if listed in a required report. Sanctions tools include blocking of property under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and visa ineligibility or revocation, with sanctions authorized within 30 days of the report.
- U.S. assistance and financing would be limited. The bill would prohibit security assistance and bar support from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and it would prohibit Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) threshold or compact funds until the government meets defined reforms.
- The Secretary of State, working with the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), would conduct a bilateral reassessment and deliver a report within 90 days. That review must cover democratic trajectory, a reform strategy, whether U.S. security aid complies with human rights, effects on U.S. business including internet shutdowns (estimated at $238 million), and Tanzania’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ban on Millennium Challenge funds
If enacted, the bill would block Millennium Challenge Corporation threshold and compact funding for Tanzania when it takes effect. MCC assistance would remain barred until the MCC Board, through the MCC Chief Executive, certifies Tanzania shows an ongoing commitment to just and democratic governance under the MCC Act. The ban would end 30 days after that certification is submitted to Congress.
Ban on U.S. security and finance support
If enacted, the bill would bar U.S. security assistance and new financing or support by the DFC, Export‑Import Bank, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency for any entity in Tanzania when it takes effect. Humanitarian aid, health assistance, and programs for democracy, human rights, governance, and civil society would be allowed to continue. The prohibition would end 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies Tanzania enacted electoral reforms, stopped politically motivated prosecutions, held officials accountable for abductions and electoral violence, and stopped political intimidation and media censorship.
180‑Day list of alleged abusers
If enacted, the State Department would give Congress a list within 180 days of senior Tanzanian officials tied to serious rights abuses. The list would cover leaders in government and the ruling party, plus police, military, and intelligence officials. Abuses listed would include kidnappings, enforced disappearances, political detention, torture, extrajudicial killings, censorship and internet shutdowns, attacks on journalists, and severe religious‑freedom violations. The list would be used for possible follow-on actions like sanctions.
90‑Day review of Tanzania ties
If enacted, the State Department would lead a review of U.S.–Tanzania relations and deliver a report to Congress within 90 days. The review would analyze Tanzania's democratic trajectory and propose priorities for reform. It would assess whether Tanzanian security forces follow human-rights and rule-of-law norms. It would also evaluate how unrest and internet shutdowns hurt U.S. business and how Tanzania's military and economic ties with China affect loans, investments, and security cooperation.
Targeted sanctions and visa bans
If enacted, the President would be authorized, within 30 days of the Secretary of State's report, to impose targeted sanctions on listed Tanzanian officials. Sanctions could freeze assets in the U.S., bar transactions, and make covered persons inadmissible or subject to visa revocation. The law would keep exceptions for humanitarian aid, food, medicine, law enforcement, authorized intelligence activities, and would not authorize sanctions on ordinary goods importation. The President could lift sanctions if a person stops the abusive conduct and gives reliable assurances of non‑repetition.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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