HR1259-119

Introduced

To require the resumption of demining activities, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, the destruction of small arms, and related activities by the Department of State, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced Feb 12, 2025

Legislative Progress

Introduced
Introduced Committee Passed
Feb 12, 2025

Mr. Lynch (for himself, Mr. Connolly, Mrs. Trahan, Ms. Ross, …

Summary

What This Bill Does
The Global Demining Protection Act requires the Secretary of State to immediately resume all State Department programs that help clear landmines, unexploded bombs, and destroy small arms weapons in foreign countries. These programs were suspended by Executive Order 14169, which paused many foreign aid activities. The bill mandates that the Secretary issue a waiver to get these humanitarian programs running again as soon as possible.

Who Benefits and How
Defense contractors and humanitarian organizations that specialize in demining services benefit directly through renewed contracts and funding from the State Department. These companies and NGOs will receive work orders to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected regions around the world. Foreign governments and civilian populations living in areas contaminated by landmines and unexploded bombs also benefit significantly, as resumed U.S. assistance helps remove these deadly hazards, saving lives and making land usable again.

Who Bears the Burden and How
U.S. taxpayers bear the cost of resuming and funding these international demining programs. The Department of State faces the administrative burden of issuing the required waiver and restarting suspended programs, though this work aligns with the agency's humanitarian mission.

Key Provisions
- Mandates the Secretary of State to issue a waiver under Executive Order 14169 to resume demining programs
- Covers all State Department activities related to demining, unexploded ordnance clearance, and small arms destruction
- Requires action "as soon as practicable" after the bill becomes law
- Overrides the foreign aid suspension imposed by Executive Order 14169 specifically for these humanitarian programs

Model: claude-opus-4-5-20251101
Generated: Dec 24, 2025 22:26

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

Requires the Secretary of State to resume State Department demining programs, unexploded ordnance clearance, and small arms destruction activities that were suspended by Executive Order 14169.

Policy Domains

Foreign Aid Defense International Affairs

Bill Structure & Actor Mappings

Who is "The Secretary" in each section?

Domains
Foreign Aid Defense International Affairs
Actor Mappings
"the_secretary"
→ Secretary of State

Key Definitions

Terms defined in this bill

1 term
"covered activities" §section_2

Programs, projects, and activities of the Department of State relating to demining, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, or the destruction of small arms

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