H.R. 764: Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act
Sponsor
Lois Frankel
Democrat · FL-22
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jan 28, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Overseas clinics shouldn't lose aid over legal care
Why it matters
138 cosponsors backed H.R. 764 from the start, signaling broad support for keeping overseas health groups eligible for U.S. aid when they use their own money for legal care. The bill would stop the U.S. from cutting off certain foreign nonprofits solely because they provide counseling, referrals, or other health services that are lawful where they operate.
H.R. 764 would change the eligibility rules for foreign nonprofits seeking a major category of U.S. foreign assistance. The bill says they cannot be denied that aid solely because they provide health or medical services, including counseling and referrals, with non-U.S. government money.
There are two limits built in. The services must be paid for without U.S. government funds, and they must be legal in the country where they are provided.
The bill also says foreign nonprofits cannot face tougher rules than American nonprofits when using non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying. In practice, it tries to stop the U.S. from applying one standard to domestic groups and a stricter one to overseas groups receiving the same aid.
This is not a new spending bill. It does not set a dollar amount, create a new grant program, or add fines or criminal penalties—it changes who can qualify for aid and on what terms.
H.R. 764 Bill Summary
What H.R. 764 actually does.
Legal health services no longer trigger aid cutoffs
Foreign nonprofits could not be denied this category of U.S. aid solely because they provide health or medical services, including counseling and referrals, with non-U.S. government funds.
Local law still sets the boundary
The protection applies only when the services are legal in the country where they are provided.
Foreign groups get the same speech rules as U.S. groups
Foreign nonprofits could not face stricter limits than American nonprofits on using non-U.S. funds for advocacy and lobbying while receiving the same aid.
Conflicting policies would give way
The bill says its rule applies even if other laws, regulations, or policies point the other way, which is meant to make the protection harder to reverse through executive policy alone.
No new money—just new eligibility rules
H.R. 764 does not authorize a new funding pot or set payment levels. It changes which organizations can qualify for existing foreign assistance.
Who benefits from H.R. 764?
Foreign nonprofits that run clinics, counseling, or referral programs
These groups would be less likely to lose U.S. aid solely because they offer legal health services with their own funds.
Patients who rely on overseas nonprofit health providers
People served by those organizations could see fewer disruptions if clinics are not pushed out of U.S.-funded programs over separately funded, locally legal services.
Foreign nonprofits that speak out on health policy
Organizations using non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying would get the same baseline treatment as U.S. nonprofits receiving the same aid.
Supporters of a longer-lasting aid rule
With 138 cosponsors, backers are signaling they want this standard written into law rather than left to changing executive branch policy.
Who is affected by H.R. 764?
U.S. agencies that administer foreign aid
They would have to stop using qualifying health services alone as a reason to disqualify foreign nonprofits from this aid category.
Presidents and administrations that want stricter aid conditions
The bill is written to limit how much future administrations can tighten eligibility through policy changes alone.
Foreign nonprofits whose services violate local law
They would not be covered. The bill protects only services that are legal where they are provided.
American nonprofits used as the comparison standard
Their treatment under existing aid rules becomes the benchmark for what restrictions can be imposed on foreign nonprofits' non-U.S. funding.
HR764 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Jan 28, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Lois Frankel
Democrat, Florida's 22nd congressional district · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Appropriations
View full profile →
Cosponsors (138)
All 138 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 36 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, and 33 more.
Janice Schakowsky
Democrat · IL
Ami Bera
Democrat · CA
Grace Meng
Democrat · NY
Norma Torres
Democrat · CA
Gabe Amo
Democrat · RI
Yassamin Ansari
Democrat · AZ
Becca Balint
Democrat · VT
Nanette Barragán
Democrat · CA
Donald Beyer
Democrat · VA
Suzanne Bonamici
Democrat · OR
Julia Brownley
Democrat · CA
Nikki Budzinski
Democrat · IL
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Foreign Affairs Committee
17 of 50 committee members cosponsored
5 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 764 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Foreign Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- International Affairs
- Introduced
- Jan 28, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jan 28, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill status, text, cosponsors, and actions for the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act.
The bill concerns global health and women’s rights in foreign assistance, making this State Department office relevant context.
An official congressional report giving background on U.S. global health assistance programs affected by eligibility policy changes.
H.R. 764 Common Questions
What does H.R. 764 actually do?
It says foreign nonprofits cannot lose certain U.S. aid solely because they provide legal health services, counseling, or referrals with non-U.S. government funds.
Does H.R. 764 fund abortion services with U.S. money?
No. The bill only protects services paid for with non-U.S. government funds, and only if those services are legal where they are provided.
Which organizations would be covered?
Foreign nongovernmental organizations seeking this category of U.S. foreign assistance. The bill does not apply to every aid program across government.
What conditions must a foreign nonprofit meet?
Two main ones: the health services must use non-U.S. government money, and the services must be legal in the country where they happen.
Does the bill change advocacy or lobbying rules?
Yes. It says foreign nonprofits cannot face stricter limits than U.S. nonprofits when using non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying under the same aid program.
Would H.R. 764 override executive policy changes?
Largely yes. The bill says its protections apply despite other laws, regulations, or policies, which is meant to stop future administrations from reversing the rule through policy alone.
Does H.R. 764 create new foreign aid spending?
No. It changes eligibility rules for existing aid rather than creating a new funding stream or setting a new dollar amount.
Based on H.R. 764 bill text
H.R. 764 Bill Text
“To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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