Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 6, 1998

Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require non-cash transfer assistance provided to a foreign country be in the form of credits redeemable only for the purchase of U.S. goods and services (currently, purchase may be for goods and services outside the United States). Directs the President to ensure that: (1) such purchases, and the ports of departure for those goods, are distributed equitably throughout the United States; and (2) U.S. goods are available at fair prices. Requires that the Comptroller General have access to records and personnel necessary to carry out monitoring and auditing. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act on a case-by-case basis to the extent that it is important to U.S. national interests.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1] · D–NJ

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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May 6, 1998
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
May 6, 1998
Introduced in House
May 6, 1998
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 6, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3800 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3800, 105th Congress: Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/3800

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr3800/BILLS-105hr3800ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:04Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3800 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3800 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.3800, 105th Congress: Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/3800

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr3800/BILLS-105hr3800ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:04Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3800 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3800 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3800, 105th Congress: Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/3800

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr3800/BILLS-105hr3800ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:04Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3800 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3800 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3800, 105th Congress: Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/3800

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1998-05-06.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr3800/BILLS-105hr3800ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:14:04Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3800 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.