Rep. Greg Steube Introduces the STAND Act to Defund Foreign Aid During Natural Disasters
While Floridians and Carolinians struggle to rebuild, Biden’s $1 Billion Announcement for Africa’s Disaster Victims is ‘egregious’
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the Securing Taxpayer Assistance during Natural Disasters (STAND) Act to defund foreign aid during times of domestic natural disasters.
“After one of the deadliest hurricane seasons on record, Floridians are still living under tarps, and Carolinians spent Thanksgiving freezing in tents. Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to prioritize foreign aid over American citizens. Just recently, President Biden announced $1 billion in disaster relief for Africa—while victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton here at home still wait for help. The American people have felt neglected for four years while Biden prioritized the needs of other countries. It’s time our policies reflect the needs of our own people,” said Rep. Steube.
The STAND Act withholds bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign assistance obligated or expended by the State Department or USAID during the first 60 days of a Presidentially declared disaster. The prohibition may only be waived upon a joint resolution passed by Congress.
Within 60 days of two Presidentially declared disasters, the Biden Administration announced new foreign aid installments for many foreign countries including: more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian assistance for communities in 31 African countries, specifically noting that the funding is geared towards helping those impacted by natural disasters and extreme weather events in Africa, $38 million in new programs for the environment, food security, and civil society in Cambodia, and $157 million in new humanitarian assistance for Lebanon. The latter funding tranche was announced within a week of Hurricane Helene’s landfall and while communities were struggling to adequately prepare for the incoming impact of Hurricane Milton.
The STAND Act is cosponsored by Representatives Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), and Thomas Tiffany (R-Wis.).
