U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced the Securing Taxpayer Assistance During Natural Disasters (STAND) Act, a bill aimed at halting foreign aid during domestic natural disasters to prioritize relief for Americans.
Steube criticized the Biden administration’s recent $1 billion aid package for African disaster relief, highlighting the ongoing struggles of Floridians and Carolinians recovering from one of the most devastating hurricane seasons in history.
READ: President-Elect Trump Will Forgo Presidential Salary For Second Term
“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 Steube.
The STAND Act proposes to withhold bilateral, multilateral, and humanitarian non-defense foreign aid distributed by the State Department or USAID during the first 60 days following a presidentially declared disaster in the U.S.
The bill includes a provision allowing the foreign aid prohibition to be waived only through a joint resolution passed by Congress.
READ: New Defense Spending Bill Puts Slew Of Left-Wing Initiatives On Chopping Block
Steube pointed to recent foreign aid announcements by the Biden administration, made within weeks of Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastating U.S. communities:
- $1 billion for disaster relief across 31 African countries.
- $38 million for environmental, food security, and civil society programs in Cambodia.
- $157 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon.
The STAND Act aims to prevent situations where foreign aid is allocated while Americans still await critical support for disaster recovery.
The STAND Act has gained support from several Republican lawmakers, including:
- Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas)
- Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.)
- Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.)
- Rep. Thomas Tiffany (R-Wis.)
The bill represents a broader effort among conservatives to shift federal spending priorities toward domestic concerns, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.