H.R. 1196 — Protect U.S. National Security Act

This section provides the short title of the Act as the “Protect U.S. National Security Act.”

This section states the sense of Congress that any reform or reorganization of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should be carried out in accordance with existing law and in a manner that maintains U.S. soft power abroad, prevents U.S. adversaries and strategic competitors from filling any resulting void, and makes the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. It also states that only an act of Congress can eliminate USAID as an independent establishment under 5 U.S.C. § 104.

This section prohibits the use of Federal funds appropriated in the American Relief Act, 2025, or any other prior appropriations Act to eliminate the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an independent establishment under 5 U.S.C. § 104. It also states that nothing in the section may be construed to permit the elimination, dismantlement, or subsummation of USAID under existing law. The section requires the Secretary of State to certify compliance to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations not later than 30 days after enactment and annually for 5 years thereafter.