H.R. 5129 would reauthorize programs at the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide humanitarian assistance following international disasters and to improve global food security. It would authorize appropriations of almost $3.8 billion each year in 2019 and 2020 for those programs (the same amount that was authorized for 2017 and 2018). On the basis of information from the department and USAID about spending patterns for the ongoing programs, and assuming appropriation of those specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5129 would cost $5.8 billion over the 2019-2023 period. (Most of the remainder would be spent in subsequent years.)
Enacting H.R. 5129 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 5129 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
The bill would authorize the appropriation of $2.8 billion each year for international disaster assistance, including emergency food assistance, to relieve human suffering after manmade or natural disasters. H.R. 5129 also would authorize the appropriation of $1.0 billion each year for food security programs that provide assistance to developing countries to reduce chronic hunger and poverty, support economic growth by expanding agricultural output, and improve nutrition, especially among women and children. In 2018, Congress appropriated almost $4.3 billion for international disaster assistance and provided not less than $1.0 billion for food security programs.
