Foreign policy & defense
foreign aid
U.S. assistance to other countries: development, health, humanitarian relief, and security assistance. Under one percent of the federal budget.
In full
Aid is appropriated annually and delivered largely through USAID, the State Department, and the Defense Department. Surveys consistently find Americans estimate it at many times its actual share of spending. Security assistance is subject to statutory human rights conditions, including the Leahy laws barring aid to units credibly implicated in gross violations.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.