To establish a Department of Peacebuilding, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMs. Omar (for herself, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Carson, Mr. García …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2025 creates a new Cabinet-level federal department dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace both domestically and internationally. The Department would develop and fund programs for conflict resolution, violence prevention, and peacebuilding research, while also advising the President and other agencies on policies that affect peace.
Who Benefits and How
Nonprofit organizations focused on peace, conflict resolution, domestic violence prevention, and restorative justice would receive significant new federal grant opportunities. Educational institutions at all levels would benefit from grants for peace studies programs and curricula development. Researchers and academics studying violence, conflict, and peacebuilding would gain access to new federal funding and research commissions. Communities affected by violence, including victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, would receive expanded access to prevention and counseling services.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers would fund the establishment and operation of an entirely new Cabinet department with multiple offices and hundreds of staff positions. The Department of Defense and Department of State would face new consultation requirements before initiating armed conflicts or policies that may lead to violence, and before distributing military equipment to law enforcement. Defense contractors and weapons manufacturers could see reduced demand if the department successfully promotes arms control and disarmament policies. Law enforcement agencies seeking military equipment would face additional review processes.
Key Provisions
- Creates a Cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding with a Senate-confirmed Secretary and eight Assistant Secretaries covering domestic peacebuilding, international peacebuilding, peace education, arms control, technology, research, and human rights
- Establishes grant programs for peace education curricula at K-12 schools and colleges, and Community Peace Block Grants for nonprofit organizations
- Requires the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to consult with the Secretary of Peacebuilding before armed conflicts or military equipment transfers to police
- Creates an Office of Arms Control and Disarmament to advise on nuclear weapons reduction and support treaties limiting weapons of mass destruction
- Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" with at least 85% directed to domestic peace programs including violence prevention, restorative justice, and substance abuse treatment
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Establishes a new Cabinet-level Department of Peacebuilding to cultivate peace as a national policy objective, reduce violence domestically and internationally through nonviolent conflict resolution, and provide institutional infrastructure for peacebuilding research, education, and programs.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Create federal institutional infrastructure for peace and nonviolent conflict resolution by establishing a Cabinet-level department with broad authority over domestic and international peacebuilding, education, research, grants, and advisory functions."
Likely Beneficiaries
- Nonprofit organizations working on peace and conflict resolution (grant recipients)
- Educational institutions (peace education grants and curriculum support)
- Communities affected by violence (violence prevention programs)
- Victims of domestic violence and human trafficking (counseling and advocacy)
- Civil society organizations focused on human rights
- Peacebuilding professionals and researchers
- Students interested in peace studies (Peace Academy)
- Veterans and individuals impacted by violence (mental health support)
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (funding new Cabinet department)
- Department of Defense (required consultation with Secretary of Peacebuilding)
- Department of State (required consultation on treaties and peace agreements)
- Arms manufacturers and defense contractors (indirectly affected by arms control focus)
- Existing federal agencies (coordination requirements)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_president"
- → President of the United States
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Peacebuilding
- "the_department"
- → Department of Peacebuilding
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Peacebuilding
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Department of Peacebuilding established under section 101(a).
Have the meanings given in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Has the meaning given the term 'agency' in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code.
Has the meaning given in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
An entity described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a).
The Secretary of Peacebuilding appointed under section 101(b).
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology