Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)· Introduced April 29, 2026

Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act

S. 4436 · Senate bill International Affairs

A Democratic bill with 41 Democratic cosponsors · See all 43 cosponsors

Last activity April 29, 2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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

S. 4436 is known as the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act. The bill aims to completely cancel out specific final rules related to foreign assistance that were submitted by the Department of State. Under this legislation, these rules will be treated as if they never took effect at all. Furthermore, federal departments and agencies are strictly prohibited from implementing, administering, or enforcing these rules. The targeted rules specifically deal with Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance, Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance Rules, and Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance.

Yes

No question was scored yes.

The opposite· 3 of 7

Scored -5
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?
The bill nullifies rules intended to combat gender ideology, which may reduce protections for LGBTQ individuals in foreign assistance contexts.
Scored -5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
By nullifying rules addressing discriminatory equity ideology, the bill may reduce efforts to promote racial equity in foreign assistance.
Scored -5
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
The nullification of rules combating gender ideology could negatively impact initiatives supporting gender equality.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Section 2(a)(1) nullifies the Department of State's final rules, including Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance'' (91 Fed. Reg. 3319), Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology in Foreign Assistance Rules'' (91 Fed. Reg. 3345), and ``Combating Gender Ideology in Foreign Assistance'' (91 Fed. Reg. 3332). This could be viewed positively by individuals who want these specific foreign assistance rules eliminated and treated as though they never took effect.
Section 2(a)(2) stops any Federal department or agency from taking action to implement, administer, or enforce the targeted rules or any similar successor rules. This might be considered positive by people who want to ensure the government cannot use resources to enforce the specified foreign assistance policies.

Potential Negative Impacts for People

Based strictly on the provided text, there are no explicitly stated negative impacts, burdens, or consequences for individuals or groups of people in the United States.

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.

Social Issues And Justice: Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The nullification of rules combating gender ideology could negatively impact initiatives supporting gender equality. Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill nullifies rules intended to combat gender ideology, which may reduce protections for LGBTQ individuals in foreign assistance contexts. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By nullifying rules addressing discriminatory equity ideology, the bill may reduce efforts to promote racial equity in foreign assistance.
Demographic And Interest Groups: Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill nullifies rules designed to combat gender ideology, impacting LGBTQ protections. Would women be better off under this? — Nullifying rules related to gender ideology and life in foreign assistance may impact global women's rights initiatives. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The removal of equity-focused rules in foreign assistance may reduce benefits for marginalized groups globally.
Governance And Ideology: Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill limits the ability of federal agencies to implement specific foreign assistance rules.