H.R. 7565: Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026
Sponsor
Maxine Waters
Democrat · CA-43
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Why it matters
If enacted, the immediate winners are Gaza’s civilians, especially children, because the bill tries to move the debate from vague promises of aid to specific daily food access and public reporting on how much food is being distributed. It also pressures the State Department to coordinate with the World Food Program, UNRWA, other UN agencies, NGOs, donors, the Israeli government, and Palestinian representatives, which means more scrutiny for every bottleneck in the aid pipeline and less room for Washington to claim it is monitoring the crisis without proving results.
H.R. 7565 Common Questions
How many meals a day would children in Gaza be guaranteed under the bill?
Children in Gaza would need access to at least 3 nutritious meals each day under the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026 (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
How many meals a day would adults in Gaza get under HR7565?
Other civilians in Gaza would need access to at least 2 nutritious meals each day under HR7565 Section 2(a)(1)(B).
How fast would the State Department have to certify food aid for Gaza?
The Secretary of State must certify and report to Congress no later than 30 days after enactment under the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026 (Section 2(a)).
Does the Gaza food aid bill require a public report on how much food is being distributed?
Yes. A public report must be sent to Congress within 30 days after the certification and include the quantity of food being distributed in Gaza, under HR7565 Section 2(c).
Which groups would have to help develop Gaza food oversight policies under the bill?
The bill requires coordination with the World Food Program, UNRWA, other UN agencies, donors, NGOs, the Government of Israel, and Palestinian representatives under Section 2(a)(2).
Can Congress be notified if food aid to Gaza is blocked or stolen?
Yes. The Secretary of State must promptly inform Congress if Gaza food aid is denied entry, diverted, or misused under the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026 (Section 2(d)(1)).
What details must be reported if Gaza food assistance is diverted or misused?
According to HR7565 Section 2(d)(2), the notice must include the type of aid, the donor, what happened, who was involved, and the State Department's response.
Does the bill track how many children and adults in Gaza are being fed?
Yes. The public report must state the number of children and adults being served under the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026 (Section 2(c)).
Can the State Department's Gaza food oversight report include aid from countries and NGOs besides the US?
Yes. Under HR7565 Section 2(b), the written oversight report must cover U.S. aid, other bilateral and multilateral donors, and international NGOs.
Does the Gaza food bill require naming the donors and distribution method in a public report?
Yes. The public report must list donors providing the assistance and explain the methodology of food distribution under the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026 (Section 2(c)).
Based on H.R. 7565 bill text
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 (17)
All 17 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 51 committee members cosponsored
21 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 Bill Text
“To ensure sufficient food assistance for the civilian population of Gaza.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Get notified when H.R. 7565 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
International Affairs Bills
8 related bills we're tracking
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025
Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Mr. Lawler.
Jan 12, 2026
United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 12, 2025
Global Respect Act
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Nov 19, 2025
United States-Israel FUTURES Act of 2026
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 12, 2026
SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 326.
Feb 10, 2026
No New Burma Funds Act
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Dec 2, 2025
ARMS Act
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 17, 2025
No Escaping Justice Act of 2026
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 5, 2026
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 17, 2026
ALERT Act
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 20, 2026
Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 5, 2026
Tracking International Affairs in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.