Delegation of Authority Under Section 614(a)(1) and Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

President Biden delegates authority to the Secretary of State to approve approximately $128 million in security assistance to Ukraine under emergency provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act, bypassing normal congressional restrictions. The delegation covers both direct assistance (Section 614(a)(1)) and Pentagon drawdown of defense articles and services (Section 506(a)(1)).

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 70563

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication

Key directives

Delegate authority to Secretary of State under Section 614(a)(1) FAA for $128 million Ukraine assistance waiver
Delegate authority to Secretary of State under Section 506(a)(1) FAA for $128 million DOD drawdown for Ukraine
Authorize and direct Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Delegation of authority takes effect upon signing
Secretary of State authorized to make $128 million determination for Ukraine assistance

Near term (90d)

Potential drawdown of defense articles and services from DOD stocks
Federal Register publication required

Long term

Continued U.S. security commitment to Ukraine
Precedent for emergency foreign assistance delegations

Risks & tensions

Section 614(a)(1) allows bypassing congressional restrictions—raises separation of powers concerns
Drawdown authority depletes U.S. military stocks
Specific dollar amount ($128M) suggests targeted need, possibly for immediate battlefield requirement