HR-7493 : Still Just a Bill

The "Strategic Humanitarian Investments to Ensure Lasting Democracies Act" or "SHIELD Act" (H.R. 7493) proposes emergency supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024.

• Department of State:
  • $210 million for Diplomatic Programs to address situations in Israel and Ukraine.
  • $12 million for the Office of Inspector General.
  • $3.495 billion for Migration and Refugee Assistance to address humanitarian needs and assist refugees impacted by the situations in Israel and Ukraine.
  • $100 million for Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs, focusing on assistance to Ukraine and countries affected by the conflict.
  • $10 million for Peacekeeping Operations, specifically for the Multinational Force and Observers mission in the Sinai.
  • $7.1 billion for the Foreign Military Financing Program, including:
    • $3.5 billion for assistance to Israel.
    • $2 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.
    • $1.6 billion for Ukraine and affected countries.
• United States Agency for International Development:
  • $39 million for Operating Expenses related to the situations in Israel and Ukraine.
  • $13 million for the Office of Inspector General.
  • $5.655 billion for International Disaster Assistance to address humanitarian needs in response to the situations in Israel and Ukraine.
  • $50 million for the Economic Support Fund to prevent and respond to food insecurity.
• Department of Homeland Security:
  • $10 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Operations and Support for administering nonprofit security grants.
  • $390 million for FEMA Federal Assistance, specifically the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
• General Provisions:
  • Several sections outlining how funds can be transferred between accounts and agencies.
  • Requires a strategy regarding United States support for Ukraine against aggression by the Russian Federation to be submitted to Congress.
  • Requires a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the status and welfare of hostages being held in Gaza.
  • Restricts funds from being used for assistance to the governments of the Russian Federation or Belarus.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to certify and report to the appropriate congressional committees that oversight policies, processes, and procedures have been established to prevent the diversion, misuse, or destruction of assistance to Hamas and other terrorist and extremist entities in Gaza.