A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "United States Trade and Development Agency Modernization Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It aims to authorize the Trade and Development Agency to provide assistance for certain development activities in high-income countries. The legislation also adjusts personnel authorities regarding appointments and the use of personal services contractors. Additionally, it requires an annual report to Congress regarding those contractors.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +3
Would high-income households be better off under this?
The bill authorizes the allocation of up to 15 percent of funds to activities in high-income countries.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number, roles, and costs of personal services contractors.
- Scored +2
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill allows USTDA funds to be used for strategic interest projects in the energy sector in high-income countries.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Strategic Interests: The bill allows the Director of the Trade and Development Agency to fund projects in high-income countries that serve United States strategic interests in the energy, critical minerals, transport, or telecommunications sectors (Section 3).
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Increased Personnel Capacity: The bill increases the number of appointments allowed from two to five (Section 4).
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Transparency in Contracting: The Director must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of personal services contractors, their roles, and the costs of those contracts (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Shift to High-Income Countries: The Director is authorized to allocate up to 15 percent of the total annual funds appropriated for assistance under Section 661(b) toward activities or projects in high-income countries (Section 3).
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Contractor Status: The Trade and Development Agency may contract with individuals for personal services who are not considered Federal employees under the provisions administered by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill authorizes assistance for projects in the transport sector in high-income countries. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill allows USTDA funds to be used for strategic interest projects in the energy sector in high-income countries.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill authorizes the allocation of up to 15 percent of funds to activities in high-income countries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number, roles, and costs of personal services contractors.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill enables funding for projects in the telecommunications sector in high-income countries.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill expands the scope of aid by allowing assistance for projects in high-income countries that serve U.S. strategic interests.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii