Foreign Assistance Authorization Act, fiscal year 2004

The Foreign Assistance Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (S. 1161) was a legislative proposal designed to set the budget and policy priorities for United States international aid and diplomatic efforts. It authorized funding for a wide range of global initiatives, including humanitarian relief for Iraq, health programs to combat infectious diseases, and security assistance for allies like Israel and Egypt.

For everyday citizens, this bill represents how U.S. tax dollars are allocated abroad to promote national security and global stability. It includes specific provisions to improve international tracking of dangerous pathogens and radioactive materials to prevent terrorism, while also funding efforts to combat drug trafficking and corruption in developing nations. While the bill was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2003, it did not ultimately become law, as foreign aid is often funded through separate annual appropriations acts.