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MemoMemorandumBiden · D

Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Authority Under Section 610 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended

This memorandum delegates presidential authority to the Secretary of State to transfer up to $130 million in Fiscal Year 2020 Foreign Military Financing funds to the Economic Support Fund, with $90 million directed to international energy and climate security objectives and $40 million for assistance to the Pacific Islands.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 58253

Impact dates

  1. Transfer of FY2020 Foreign Military Financing funds (fiscal year 2020 funds, already expired for new obligations but subject to transfer authority)

Key directives

  • Delegate authority under section 610 of FAA to Secretary of State
  • Transfer up to $130 million of FY2020 Foreign Military Financing funds to Economic Support Fund
  • $90 million for international energy and climate security objectives
  • $40 million for assistance for Pacific Islands
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Delegation of authority to Secretary of State takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • Transfer and consolidation of FY2020 funds
  • Publication in Federal Register

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Timing ambiguity: FY2020 funds are being transferred in September 2022, two years after the fiscal year ended, raising questions about obligation availability
  • Reprogramming of military financing to economic/climate assistance may draw congressional scrutiny
  • No explicit congressional notification requirement stated in memorandum
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 610 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended · Executive Orders