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

President Biden delegates authority to the Secretary of State to direct a drawdown of up to $125 million in Department of Defense defense articles, services, and military education/training to provide assistance to Ukraine under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 64347

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication

Key directives

Delegate to Secretary of State authority under section 506(a)(1) of FAA to direct drawdown of up to $125 million in DOD defense articles and services
Delegate authority to make determinations required under section 506(a)(1)
Provide military education and training assistance to Ukraine
Publish this memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Delegation of authority to Secretary of State takes effect
Secretary of State authorized to direct $125M drawdown

Near term (90d)

Potential execution of defense articles and services drawdown
Delivery of military education and training to Ukraine

Long term

Continued U.S. security assistance to Ukraine

Risks & tensions

Delegation shifts execution control from President to Secretary of State, potentially streamlining response but reducing direct presidential oversight of specific drawdown decisions
Continued Ukraine assistance may face political scrutiny amid ongoing debates over foreign aid spending
Exact timing of drawdown execution left unspecified; operational details delegated to Secretary