S. 4278

119 S4278 IS: Prohibiting Expenditures for an Accountability-Circumventing Entity Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-04-13
 text/xml
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4278  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   April 13, 2026   Mr. Kelly  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Foreign Relations    A BILL
To prohibit funding for the Board of Peace that is not authorized by Congress, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Prohibiting Expenditures for an Accountability-Circumventing Entity Act   or the   PEACE Act  .
2.
Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
On January 16, 2026, the President issued Executive Order 14375 designating an entity titled the  Board of Peace  as a public international organization entitled to the privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ).
(2)
Section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 ) defines an international organization as  a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation, and which shall have been designated by the President through appropriate Executive order .
(3)
The designation of an entity as a public international organization by the executive branch does not confer authority to obligate or expend Federal funds absent congressional authorization or appropriation.
(4)
Likewise, the executive branch’s designation of an entity as a public international organization is legally effective only if it meets the statutory requirements that the United States be a participant pursuant to a treaty or pursuant to congressional authority.
(5)
Unlike all other international organizations to which the United States provides funding or support, the United States does not participate in the Board of Peace pursuant to a ratified treaty to which the United States is a party.
(6)
Congress has not appropriated funds for the Board of Peace or authorized the expenditure of Federal funds for its operations.
(7)
Congress has not enacted specific authorization for the United States to participate in or provide financial support to the Board of Peace.
(8)
Pursuant to current statute, after the enactment of any law appropriating funds to carry out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq. ) or the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq. ), the President must notify Congress of each foreign country and international organization to which the United States Government intends to provide any portion of the funds under such law and of the amount of funds under that law, by category of assistance, that the United States Government intends to provide to each.
(9)
Any obligation or expenditure of Federal funds related to international organizations is subject to statutory oversight requirements established by Congress.
3.
Sense of Congress on United States participation in international organizations
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
Congress retains ultimate authority over the obligation and expenditure of Federal funds for participation in international organizations;
(2)
such participation should occur only pursuant to explicit statutory authorization;
(3)
Congress should not authorize, appropriate, or otherwise make available Federal funds for any international organization whose charter—
(A)
grants the Chairman unilateral authority to determine membership in the organization;
(B)
grants the Chairman exclusive authority to create, modify, or dissolve subsidiary entities of the organization;
(C)
grants the Chairman unilateral authority to dissolve the organization; or
(D)
provides for an indefinite or self-perpetuating chairmanship, including a provision that the Chairman shall designate a successor and may be removed only upon voluntary resignation or incapacity, as determined by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board; and
(4)
Congress should require that any such charter provisions be revised or removed before the United States participates in the organization or provides financial support.
4.
Definitions
In this Act:
(1)
Appropriate congressional committees
The term  appropriate congressional committees  means—
(A)
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Sustainable peace
The term  sustainable peace  means a condition in which violent conflict is durably reduced or prevented through locally supported political, economic, and security arrangements, including effective governance and rule of law, such that the risk of relapse into conflict is minimized without reliance on indefinite external assistance.
5.
Report on the use of funds previously obligated to the Board of Peace
(a)
In general
Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each Federal department or agency that has obligated funds for the Board of Peace shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on such obligations.
(b)
Spend strategy required
(1)
In general
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy describing how funds obligated for the Board of Peace will be used to advance sustainable peace in areas affected by conflict.
(2)
Elements
The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A)
A statement of United States policy objectives for advancing sustainable peace.
(B)
A description of the purposes, programs, and authorities through which the funds described in such paragraph will be used.
(C)
An identification of priority countries or regions and a justification for such prioritization.
(D)
A description of coordination with relevant Federal departments and agencies, allies, partners, and multilateral institutions.
(E)
A description of how activities supported by such funds will encourage and empower local and national actors to address the concerns of their populations and strengthen resilience against violence.
(F)
A description of how activities supported by such funds will address the long-term underlying causes of fragility and violence.
(G)
A description of measurable benchmarks to assess progress toward sustainable peace.
(H)
A description of mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, and legal compliance in the use of funds.
(c)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed as authorizing the appropriation, obligation, expenditure, or other availability of funds for the Board of Peace.
6.
Report on progress of the Board of Peace in advancing sustainable peace in Gaza
(a)
In general
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the extent to which the Board of Peace has contributed to advancing sustainable peace in Gaza.
(b)
Elements
The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1)
A description of the stated goals and activities of the Board of Peace related to advancing sustainable peace in Gaza.
(2)
An assessment of any measurable progress toward achieving sustainable peace in Gaza, including diplomatic, security, and humanitarian outcomes.
(3)
A description of any coordination between the Board of Peace and the Department of State or other United States Government entities.
(4)
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board of Peace in advancing United States national security and foreign policy interests.
7.
Prohibition on funding for Board of Peace without congressional authorization
No Federal funds may be appropriated for or otherwise made available to the Board of Peace on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, unless there is enacted an Act of Congress specifically authorizing such transfer.
8.
Prohibition on extension of privileges, exemptions, and immunities to Board of Peace
Notwithstanding any provision of the International Organizations Immunities Act ( 22 U.S.C. 288 et seq. ) or any other provision of law, no privileges, exemptions, or immunities may be granted, recognized, or extended to the Board of Peace, or to any officer, employee, or representative of the Board of Peace, by the United States.