H.R. 4423: No New Burma Funds Act
Sponsor
Nikema Williams
Democrat · GA-5
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Dec 2, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Why it matters
The bill keeps U.S. pressure on Burma's military government after a coup stalled its democracy.
After Burma's military staged a coup in 2021, the U.S. pushed global institutions like the World Bank to pause financial support for the country's junta. HR4423 extends this freeze, making sure U.S. influence keeps international money out of the regime's hands. The bill gives the Treasury Secretary wiggle room—if it ever helps U.S. interests to resume aid, there's an out.
The U.S. Executive Director at the World Bank gets clear instructions—vote 'no' on new loans or aid for the Burmese government. The bill doesn't cut off all humanitarian or private aid, just official cash directed at the military-controlled government.
Congress is signaling it won't let up until democracy is restored. But the real muscle here is global: if Washington keeps saying 'no,' other big donors often join in, keeping much more than just American money out of the junta's reach.
What does H.R. 4423 do?
Continued Freeze on World Bank Funds
Keeps U.S. support for the World Bank's freeze on loans and new funding to Burma's government.
Treasury Oversight
Puts the U.S. Treasury Secretary in charge of directing how America votes at the World Bank on Burma issues.
National Interest Exception
Lets the Treasury Secretary end the freeze if it's judged necessary for U.S. national interests.
Focus on Government, Not People
Targets only funds directed to Burma's governing authorities—not humanitarian or direct-to-people aid.
Response to the 2021 Coup
Formally links the funding freeze to the military overthrow of Burma's elected government.
Who benefits from H.R. 4423?
Burmese democracy activists
Keeps pressure on the military rulers, signaling U.S. support for a return to civilian government.
Regional democracies (like Thailand and Indonesia)
See bolstered U.S. commitment to upholding democracy in Southeast Asia.
U.S. taxpayers
Ensures U.S. money doesn't support an authoritarian government.
International organizations
Get continued clear direction from a major donor on how to handle Burma aid.
Who is affected by H.R. 4423?
The Burmese military government
Loses potential access to new international development funds that could boost its grip on power.
Ordinary Burmese citizens
Could see delayed development projects, but humanitarian programs are still allowed.
Global development banks
Must keep Burmese government financing paused as long as the U.S. says so.
U.S. executive branch
Gets more congressional oversight and responsibility for U.S. policy on Burma.
H.R. 4423 Common Questions
Can the World Bank give new loans to Burma under H.R. 4423?
No. Under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2), the Treasury Secretary must direct the U.S. World Bank representative to continue a pause on new financing commitments to the Government of Burma.
Does H.R. 4423 stop World Bank disbursements to the Burmese government?
Yes. According to H.R. 4423 Section 2, the United States must use its voice and vote at the World Bank to continue a pause on disbursements to the Government of Burma.
Can the Treasury Secretary waive the Burma World Bank funding pause?
Yes. Under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2), the Treasury Secretary may bypass the mandate if continuing the pause is determined not to be in the U.S. national interest.
Which U.S. official must tell the World Bank how to vote on Burma funding?
The Secretary of the Treasury. Under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2), Treasury must direct the U.S. Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Which World Bank official is covered by the No New Burma Funds Act?
The bill covers the United States Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. H.R. 4423 Section 2 requires that official to use the U.S. voice and vote to continue the pause.
Is the Burma funding freeze in H.R. 4423 tied to the 2021 military coup?
Yes. According to H.R. 4423 Section 2, the continued pause is based on the freeze initiated after the 2021 military coup that overthrew Burma’s democratically elected government.
Does the No New Burma Funds Act apply to the Government of Burma specifically?
Yes. Under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2), the pause on World Bank disbursements and new financing commitments is directed at the Government of Burma.
Can the U.S. still support Burma funding at the World Bank if national interests change?
Yes. Under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2), the Treasury Secretary can bypass the pause if continuing it is not in the national interest of the United States.
What are 'disbursements and new financing commitments' for Burma in H.R. 4423?
They are the two types of World Bank funding the U.S. must keep paused for the Government of Burma under the No New Burma Funds Act (Section 2).
Is H.R. 4423 officially called the No New Burma Funds Act?
Yes. H.R. 4423 is officially cited as the No New Burma Funds Act under Section 1.
Based on H.R. 4423 bill text
HR4423 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Dec 2, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
House: Vote: 385-0
Dec 1, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 - 0 (Roll no. 307). (text: CR H4945)
House: Committee Action
Sep 8, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-245.
House: Vote: 54-0
Jul 22, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 54 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Jul 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
About the Sponsor
Nikema Williams
Democrat, Georgia's 5th congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Financial Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (3)
This bill has 3 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 3 states: California, New York, Texas.
Committee Sponsors
Foreign Relations Committee
0 of 22 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Financial Services Committee
2 of 54 committee members cosponsored
34 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 4423 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Foreign Relations
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- International Affairs
- Introduced
- Jul 15, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Dec 2, 2025
Constituent Resources
Official Sources
Official bill tracker with full text, 3 cosponsors, all actions, and committee referral history for the No New Burma Funds Act. Passed the House 385-0 on December 1, 2025; referred to Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 2, 2025.
House Financial Services Committee report filed September 8, 2025 by Chairman Hill. The committee ordered the bill reported (amended) by a vote of 54-0 on July 22, 2025.
Roll call vote on December 1, 2025, under suspension of the rules. The bill passed unanimously 385-0, reflecting strong bipartisan consensus on maintaining financial pressure on Burma's military junta.
Sponsor Rep. Williams (GA-5) highlighted her district's 2,000+ Burmese refugees in DeKalb County and described the bill as giving the U.S. another tool to put financial pressure on Burma's military government.
Cosponsor Rep. Kim (CA-40) stated that 'U.S. taxpayer-dollars have no place financing an illegitimate foreign military that terrorizes civilians, holds sham elections, and serves as a proxy for China and Russia.'
Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control Burma sanctions page. Documents the legal framework under Executive Order 14014 (February 2021) blocking property related to the Burma situation, with 27 sanctioned entities and 70 individuals.
State Department overview of U.S. sanctions imposed on Burma's military regime following the February 1, 2021 coup. Provides broader foreign policy context for the financial pressure HR 4423 reinforces at the World Bank.
Congressional Record transcript of the House floor debate on HR 4423. The bill was considered under suspension of the rules with forty minutes of debate before passing unanimously.
H.R. 4423 Bill Text
“To continue the pause on disbursements and new financing commitments to the Government of Burma.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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