STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS,
AND RELATED PROGRAMS
AMENDMENT MENU
Top 6 Priorities to Let Your Member Know That Times Have Changed
01.
Strike $3.3B Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Earmark for Israel
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Section 7041(c) under "Middle East and North Africa."
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In Section 7041(c), strike: [of which $3,300,000,000 shall be available for assistance for Israel].
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This modification restores the discretionary authority of the Secretary of State and the Appropriations Committee. By removing the fixed funding floor, Congress asserts its role in conducting annual needs-based assessments. This change ensures that security assistance is not an entitlement but a flexible tool of U.S. foreign policy, allowing the U.S. to adjust assistance levels based on the recipient's adherence to regional stability benchmarks and U.S. strategic objectives.
02.
Prohibit Unvetted BOP/ISF/GHF Post-Conflict Mechanisms
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Section 7039.
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None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to provide assistance, equipment, or salary support to the Board of Peace (BOP), the International Stabilization Force (ISF), the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), or any successor similar post-conflict governance or security mechanisms: Provided, That this prohibition shall remain in effect until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that such mechanisms (1) operate under a formal mandate endorsed by a democratically elected Palestinian governance body; (2) include robust, independent human rights monitoring; and (3) are subject to United States Government audits.
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Post-conflict bodies like the BOP and ISF should lead Congress to expect significant funding commitments, but little transparency. This language ensures they meet U.S. standards of accountability before receiving taxpayer support.
03.
Gaza Reconstruction Carve-out
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Title III (Economic Support Fund)
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Of the funds appropriated under the heading “Economic Support Funds,” not less than $120,000,000 to provide continued financial assistance and debt relief for Augusta Victoria Hospital and the wider East Jerusalem Hospital Network. The Secretary of State shall submit a report within 60 days of enactment detailing assistance provided to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network and plans to ensure continued medical access for patients from Gaza to the appropriate Committees.
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Stabilizing the region requires a commitment to rebuilding essential life-support systems. This funding ensures reconstruction is not delayed by political transitions and is managed by reliable, non-state partners to prevent diversion.
04.
Palestinian Authority (PA) Support Carve-out
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Title III (Economic Support Fund and INCLE).
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Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the headings ‘Economic Support Fund’ and ‘International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement’, not less than $225,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for the West Bank and Gaza for the purpose of supporting Palestinian Authority institutional reform, judicial independence, and professionalization of security forces.
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Strengthening the PA is vital for a viable two-state solution. This carve-out ensures that funds are specifically directed toward governance and security sector reform, preventing the collapse of Palestinian institutions and ensuring they remain a professionalized partner for regional security.
05.
Limit Use of Defense Articles in West Bank/Gaza
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Section 7035.
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Provided that none of the funds made available by this Act for assistance for Israel may be used for any activity that facilitates the expansion of settlements or the demolition of civilian-owned infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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To align funding with stated U.S. policy, this language prevents U.S.-funded equipment from being used in activities that preclude a two-state solution or violate the Fourth Geneva Convention regarding the destruction of private property under occupation.
06.
Condition FMF to Israel: 8-Point Certification
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Section 7041(c) / Section 7035.
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None of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ‘Foreign Military Financing Program’ for assistance for Israel may be obligated until the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Israel: (1) is refraining from annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories; (2) is holding individuals accountable for extremist settler violence; (3) is holding security forces accountable for human rights violations; (4) is cooperating with U.S.-led investigations into deaths of U.S. citizens; (5) is halting violations of international humanitarian law; (6) is facilitating full entry for journalists and humanitarian aid to Gaza; (7) is protecting civil society and media freedoms; and (8) is abiding by the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.
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This provision ensures security assistance is a tool for peace, not an unconditional grant. It provides the statutory leverage necessary to ensure the October 2025 ceasefire remains in effect and that the recipient remains in compliance with basic international legal and human rights standards.
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Other Amendments of Note
Conditions, Vetting, and Reporting
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Bill Context: Section 7033(b)(2).
Redline: (2) OVERSIGHT. - The Secretary of State shall submit a report detailing all funds appropriated for the West Bank and Gaza that remain unobligated, and if not obligated, provide a specific justification for each instance of non-obligation.
Member’s Justification: This ensures that the executive branch cannot quietly "pocket-veto" aid intended for Palestinian stability by simply refusing to obligate the funds.
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Bill Context: New subsection 7035(a)(4).
Redline: Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing the conditions of Palestinians held in Israeli military detention, including access to legal counsel, medical care, and allegations of torture or ill-treatment.
Member’s Justification: Transparency in detention systems is a core U.S. human rights priority. This report ensures that the U.S. is not indirectly supporting a system of administrative detention or prisoner abuse through its security assistance.
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Bill Context: Section 7035(d)(3).
Redline: Provided, That in performing vetting required by section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Secretary of State shall formally review and incorporate reports from international organizations and credible non-governmental human rights organizations.
Member’s Justification: Often, the State Department relies on internal data that may miss unit-level violations. This requirement ensures that documented evidence from groups like Amnesty International or the UN is a mandatory component of the vetting process.
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Bill Context: Section 7035(a)(3).
Redline: In Section 7035(a)(3), insert: and shall include a specific assessment of the use of U.S. defense articles by any recipient country currently involved in active combat operations.
Member’s Justification: Standard reporting often glosses over the complexities of active warfare. This modification mandates that the State Department provide specific, granular data on civilian harm and the operational use of U.S. weapons in conflict zones.
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Bill Context: Section 7035(c)(4).
Redline: Strike "consult with each recipient government to ensure" and insert: certify to the appropriate congressional committees; and add: : Provided, That if the Secretary of State has credible information that such assistance was used in a manner contrary to such purposes, the Secretary shall immediately suspend the delivery of defense articles.
Member’s Justification: This "hard trigger" transforms the Arms Export Control Act from a consultative guideline into a mandatory enforcement mechanism. It requires the Secretary to put their name on a certification, creating personal and institutional
Closing Enforcement Gaps
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Bill Context: Section 7051(a).
Redline: Insert after "recipient country": and shall include actions by partner forces of such country as documented in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.
Member’s Justification: This closes the "proxy loophole," ensuring that if a recipient country utilizes partner forces to engage in documented human rights violations, U.S. assistance is subject to the same prohibitions.
Gaza Humanitarian Aid & Reconstruction
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Bill Context: Section 7060(e) (Global Food Security Strategy).
Redline: In Section 7060(e), add at the end: : Provided, That not less than $100,000,000 of the funds made available for the Global Food Security Strategy shall be made available for emergency food assistance and the restoration of agricultural productive capacity in the Gaza Strip.
Member’s Justification: With local food production decimated and the risk of famine high, this carve-out ensures that global food security initiatives prioritize the acute nutritional needs of the Gazan population, supporting both immediate aid and the long-term restoration of local bakeries and agriculture.
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Bill Context: Title III (International Disaster Assistance) and Title IV (Migration and Refugee Assistance).
Redline: Of the funds appropriated under the headings ‘International Disaster Assistance’ and ‘Migration and Refugee Assistance’, not less than $500,000,000 shall be made available for humanitarian assistance for Gaza: Provided, That such amount shall be no less than the total amount of funds made available by this Act for the resettlement of refugees in Israel.
Member’s Justification: This "Parity of Care" provision ensures a balanced U.S. response to regional humanitarian needs. Given the catastrophic scale of displacement and food insecurity in the Gaza Strip, this floor prevents the marginalization of Palestinian humanitarian requirements and ensures that U.S. assistance is proportional to the severity of the crisis on the ground.
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Bill Context: Title III (Economic Support Fund).
Redline: Of the funds appropriated under the heading “Economic Support Funds,” not less than $120,000,000 to provide continued financial assistance and debt relief for Augusta Victoria Hospital and the wider East Jerusalem Hospital Network. The Secretary of State shall submit a report within 60 days of enactment detailing assistance provided to the East Jerusalem Hospital Network and plans to ensure continued medical access for patients from Gaza to the appropriate Committees.
Member’s Justification: The East Jerusalem Hospital Network provides specialized medical services unavailable elsewhere in the occupied Palestinian territories and serves as a critical referral hub for patients from the West Bank and Gaza. Ongoing conflict, restrictions on patient access, and mounting debt have placed these facilities at risk of service disruption. This provision ensures continued access to essential civilian healthcare, stabilizes core medical institutions, and reinforces U.S. commitments to humanitarian access and medical neutrality, while requiring transparency regarding assistance and patient access from Gaza.
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Bill Context: Title IV (Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs).
Redline: Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available for the clearance of unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war in Gaza.
Member’s Justification: Gaza is currently among the most densely contaminated areas in the world. UXO clearance is a non-negotiable prerequisite for the safe delivery of aid, the return of displaced civilians, and the commencement of essential reconstruction efforts. This directed funding ensures specialized technical teams can operate safely.
Transnational Justice
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Add "Gaza" after "Burmese"
Bill Context: Section 7034(a) (Victim Assistance).
Redline: In Section 7034(a), insert Gaza, after "Burmese,".
Member’s Justification: This is a technical correction to ensure that Gazans are eligible for the same victim identification and casualty documentation frameworks established for other major modern conflicts.
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Bill Context: Section 7034(b).
Redline: Funds appropriated by this Act shall be made available for a program to support the forensic identification of remains and the establishment of memorials for civilian victims of the conflict in Gaza.
Member’s Justification: Peace requires truth. This funding supports the dignified recovery of remains and the documentation of loss, which are essential components of transitional justice and societal healing.
Prohibitions on Funding
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Bill Context: General Provisions.
Redline: None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to establish new permanent United States military installations or defense industrial structures in Israel without prior specific authorization in an Act of Congress.
Member’s Justification: This provision restores Congressional prerogative over the expansion of the U.S. military footprint. It ensures that any strategic shifts toward permanent basing or deep industrial integration are fully debated and authorized by the legislative branch.
Modifications to Current Funding
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Bill Context: Section 7041(c).
Redline: Strike: [Provided, That up to $250,000,000 of such funds may be available for procurement in Israel].
Member’s Justification: This "Buy American" provision ensures that FMF funds are spent within the United States, supporting the American defense industrial base and creating domestic jobs.
2. Strike Loan Guarantees Extension
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Bill Context: Section 7035(b)(5).
Redline: Strike Section 7035(b)(5) in its entirety and replace it with: The Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing the inventory of the War Reserve Stockpile Allies-Israel and providing a plan for the redistribution of munitions to other geographic combatant commands, including U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Member’s Justification: The automatic extension of the War Reserve Stockpile Allies-Israel authority limits Congressional review. Striking this allows the authority to sunset, forcing a reassessment of its current strategic utility versus other global priorities that prioritize theater readiness. This report facilitates the relocation of stockpiled assets to areas where they are more urgently needed for U.S. national security.
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Bill Context: Section 7041(h)(2).
Redline: Strike Section 7041(h)(2) in its entirety.
Member’s Justification: Punitive defunding triggers for engaging with international law restrict diplomatic flexibility. Striking this allows the U.S. to engage even when partners utilize international legal forums.
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Bill Context: Section 7041(c).
Redline: Strike: [Provided, That such funds shall be disbursed within 30 days of the date of enactment of this Act].
Member’s Justification: The 30-day mandate is an anomaly that restricts Congressional oversight. Striking it restores the standard review period, allowing the Committee to place "holds" on funds if concerns arise.