Baldwin Successfully Pushes Biden Administration to Ensure Use of U.S. Aid Follows International Humanitarian Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on a new Biden Administration memorandum that closely mirrors an amendment she supported to ensure weapons received by any country through U.S. security assistance are used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“As we work to support our allies, I remain committed to ensuring any aid we provide is used in line with our values as Americans. I’m glad the Biden Administration followed our lead and is putting in place commonsense guardrails that ensure that any assistance we provide to our allies is used in accordance with international humanitarian law and gives the American people transparency and accountability,” said Senator Baldwin.

In line with the Baldwin-backed amendment, the National Security Memorandum (NSM) will for the first time require that, prior to the transfer of U.S. security assistance, recipient countries must provide the U.S. with credible and reliable written assurances that they will comply with international humanitarian law and other applicable international law.

The NSM also requires that prior to the transfer of U.S. security assistance, recipient countries must provide the U.S. with credible and reliable written assurances that they will facilitate and not arbitrarily deny or restrict U.S. humanitarian assistance and U.S.-supported international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance in areas of conflict. And, also in line with Senator Baldwin’s amendment, the NSM creates robust reporting requirements to Congress on these provisions and additional assessments of compliance with U.S. laws and policies.

The NSM is available here.

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