H.R. 7565: Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026
Sponsor
Maxine Waters
Democrat · CA-43
Kids in Gaza should get three meals a day
Why it matters
Three meals a day for children and two for other civilians — that is the bar H.R. 7565 tells the State Department to prove it can meet in Gaza. Instead of treating food aid as a vague promise, the bill would force a public accounting of who is being fed, how much food is getting in, and whether aid is being blocked or diverted.
H.R. 7565 would require the State Department, within 30 days, to certify that systems are in place so children in Gaza can get three nutritious meals a day and other civilians can get two.
This is not mainly a funding bill. It is an oversight bill that tries to measure whether food assistance is actually reaching people, not just whether governments say they support humanitarian relief.
The bill would also require a written description of how food oversight works, including assistance from the United States, other donor governments, and international NGOs. That description must also address the Israeli government's role in oversight.
Within another 30 days, the State Department would have to release a public report saying how much food is being distributed, how many children and adults are being served, who the donors are, and how the food gets to people.
If food meant for Gaza is denied entry, diverted, or misused, the State Department would have to promptly notify Congress and explain what happened, who was involved, and how the department responded.
The bill's real leverage is transparency: it tries to make shortages, delays, and interference visible fast enough for Congress to respond.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
H.R. 7565 Bill Summary
What H.R. 7565 actually does.
Children's food access becomes a measurable benchmark
The State Department would have 30 days after enactment to certify that oversight systems are in place to ensure children in Gaza can eat at least three nutritious meals a day and other civilians at least two.
Aid distribution gets a written oversight plan
The department would have to send Congress a written description of the policies and procedures used to oversee food distribution in Gaza, including aid from the United States, other donors, and international NGOs.
A public report would show who is actually being fed
No later than 30 days after the certification, the State Department would have to make a report public describing how much food is being distributed in Gaza, how many children and adults are being served, which donors are providing assistance, and how distribution works.
Blocked or stolen aid would trigger rapid notice to Congress
If food assistance for Gaza is denied entry, diverted, or misused, the State Department would have to promptly inform Congress and describe the aid involved, the donor, the incident, the parties involved, and the response.
Oversight would be built with aid groups and regional actors
The bill says the State Department's oversight systems should be developed in coordination with the World Food Program, UNRWA, other United Nations agencies, donors, international NGOs, the Government of Israel, and Palestinian representatives.
Who benefits from H.R. 7565?
Children in Gaza who need regular meals
The bill centers children first by setting a specific daily benchmark: at least three nutritious meals. That gives Congress and the public a concrete standard to judge instead of general claims that aid is improving.
Other civilians in Gaza relying on food assistance
Adults and other civilians would also be covered by a minimum standard of at least two nutritious meals a day, with reporting meant to show whether that standard is being met in practice.
Congress and the public trying to track Gaza aid
Lawmakers and outside watchdogs would get public reporting on food volume, donor participation, and the number of children and adults served, making it easier to spot gaps between promises and delivery.
Who is affected by H.R. 7565?
The State Department
The department would have new reporting and certification duties on a fast timeline: one certification and oversight description within 30 days of enactment, then a public report within the following 30 days.
Aid organizations and donor governments
Groups involved in Gaza food delivery could face more documentation, coordination, and scrutiny because the bill requires reporting on donors, distribution methods, and whether assistance is diverted or blocked.
The Israeli government
Because the bill requires the State Department to describe Israel's role in oversight and to notify Congress if aid is denied entry, Israeli control points affecting food delivery would face more direct congressional scrutiny.
Anyone watching the Gaza aid debate
The bill does not itself guarantee food shipments or appropriate new funds. It instead changes what the U.S. government would have to prove publicly about whether aid is reaching civilians.
HR7565 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Maxine Waters
Democrat, California's 43rd congressional district · 35 years in Congress
Committees: Financial Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (19)
All 19 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 14 states: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, and 11 more.
André Carson
Democrat · IN
Troy Carter
Democrat · LA
Steve Cohen
Democrat · TN
Madeleine Dean
Democrat · PA
Rosa DeLauro
Democrat · CT
Cleo Fields
Democrat · LA
Valerie Foushee
Democrat · NC
Sylvia Garcia
Democrat · TX
Jahana Hayes
Democrat · CT
Jonathan Jackson
Democrat · IL
Henry Johnson
Democrat · GA
Zoe Lofgren
Democrat · CA
Committee Sponsors
Foreign Affairs Committee
2 of 53 committee members cosponsored
23 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 7565 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Foreign Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- International Affairs
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Feb 12, 2026
H.R. 7565 Common Questions
What would H.R. 7565 require for children in Gaza?
It would require the State Department to certify that systems are in place so children in Gaza can get at least 3 nutritious meals a day.
What about adults and other civilians in Gaza?
H.R. 7565 sets a lower but still specific benchmark for everyone else: at least 2 nutritious meals a day.
How quickly would the State Department have to act?
Fast. The department would have 30 days after enactment to certify its oversight systems, then 30 more days to publish a public report.
Does H.R. 7565 send new money to Gaza?
Not in the text provided. This bill is about oversight and reporting, not a new appropriation.
Would the public get to see how much food is reaching Gaza?
Yes. The bill requires a public report on how much food is being distributed, how many children and adults are being served, who the donors are, and how delivery works.
What happens if food aid is blocked or stolen?
The State Department would have to promptly notify Congress if food aid is denied entry, diverted, or misused, and explain what happened and how it responded.
Who would the State Department have to coordinate with?
The bill calls for coordination with the World Food Program, UNRWA, other U.N. agencies, donor governments, NGOs, the Israeli government, and Palestinian representatives.
Based on H.R. 7565 bill text
H.R. 7565 Bill Text
“To ensure sufficient food assistance for the civilian population of Gaza.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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