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HR10385FEDERALIN_COMMITTEE

Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act

December 12, 2024

foreign policyhumanitarian aidnational securitylandminesweapons management

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

The bill establishes a clear legal framework for U.S. spending on international demining and weapons security, which has totaled over $4.6 billion since 1993, impacting the safety of civilian populations and U.S. foreign policy stability objectives.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Foreign populations in conflict-affected areas

These populations receive assistance through land clearing, risk education, and medical support for injuries.

Foreign security forces

These groups receive training, equipment, and technical expertise for weapons and ammunition stockpile management.

Farmers in conflict-affected regions

These individuals gain access to land cleared of unexploded ordnance for agricultural use.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

  • Senator Patrick Leahy served in the U.S. Senate representing Vermont for 48 years, retiring in 2023. context
  • The Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 established various authorities for the State Department, including those related to foreign assistance and security. context

Summary

This bill formally defines the goals and scope of U.S. foreign assistance programs focused on clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance, and securing conventional weapons stockpiles abroad. It amends existing law to explicitly authorize activities like weapons storage management, risk education, and infrastructure development in countries recovering from conflict.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

The bill establishes a clear legal framework for U.S. spending on international demining and weapons security, which has totaled over $4.6 billion since 1993, impacting the safety of civilian populations and U.S. foreign policy stability objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this bill actually change?
It adds a new section to existing law that clearly defines the goals of U.S. programs that clear landmines and secure foreign weapons stockpiles, ensuring these activities have a specific legal mandate.
Does this bill authorize new spending?
The bill focuses on defining the purposes and scope of existing assistance programs rather than setting new appropriation amounts.
Why is the U.S. involved in foreign weapons storage?
According to the bill, these programs help prevent weapons from being diverted to terrorists or insurgents and reduce the risk of accidental explosions in foreign countries.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Formalization of Security Sector Partnerships

The bill shifts the focus of demining programs to include explicit security sector partnerships (WAM/PSSM) aimed at preventing weapons diversion, linking humanitarian aid directly to U.S. border security and migration concerns.

Department of StateDepartment of Defense

Connected Entities

personPatrick Leahy“Senator who championed humanitarian causes related to landmines and explosive re”Map →
locationVietnam“Site of significant humanitarian demining efforts.”Map →
organizationDepartment of Defense“Responsible for humanitarian demining and weapons security programs.”Map →
organizationHouse of Representatives“Legislative body where the bill was introduced.”Map →
organizationDepartment of State“Responsible for humanitarian demining and weapons security programs.”Map →
organizationUnited States Government Publishing Office“Source of the Congressional Bill.”Map →
organizationUnited States Agency for International Development“Responsible for humanitarian demining and weapons security programs.”Map →
locationVermont“Senator Leahy's home state.”Map →
organizationSenate“Legislative body where Senator Leahy served.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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