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Presidential Memorandum

Delegation of Authority Under Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

This memorandum delegates presidential authority to the Secretary of State to determine whether up to $20 million in assistance to Ukraine is important to U.S. security interests, allowing such aid to bypass certain statutory restrictions under section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The delegation enables expedited foreign assistance by waiving provisions of law that would otherwise constrain aid to Ukraine.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 5419

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication

Key directives

  • Delegate authority under section 614(a)(1) of FAA to Secretary of State
  • Authorize waiver of legal provisions for up to $20 million in Ukraine assistance
  • Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Delegation of authority to Secretary of State takes effect
  • Secretary of State empowered to make $20 million waiver determination

Near term (90d)

  • Potential disbursement of up to $20 million in waived-assistance to Ukraine
  • Federal Register publication of memorandum

Long term

  • Precedent for delegated waiver authority on Ukraine assistance
  • Potential expansion of similar delegations for foreign aid

Risks & tensions

  • Bypasses normal congressional oversight mechanisms for foreign assistance
  • Limited to $20 million—relatively small amount may indicate targeted need or political caution
  • Vague 'important to security interests' standard provides broad discretion to Secretary
Presidential Memorandum: Delegation of Authority Under Section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 · Executive Orders