The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Conventional Weapons Destruction and Legacy of Senator Patrick Leahy Act
Record date · December 12, 2024
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
This bill formally defines the goals and scope of U.S. foreign assistance programs focused on clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance, and securing conventional weapons stockpiles abroad. It amends existing law to explicitly authorize activities like weapons storage management, risk education, and infrastructure development in countries recovering from conflict.
The bill establishes a clear legal framework for U.S. spending on international demining and weapons security, which has totaled over $4.6 billion since 1993, impacting the safety of civilian populations and U.S. foreign policy stability objectives.
- Senator Patrick Leahy served in the U.S. Senate representing Vermont for 48 years, retiring in 2023. context
- The Department of State Authorities Act of 2006 established various authorities for the State Department, including those related to foreign assistance and security. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Foreign populations in conflict-affected areas
These populations receive assistance through land clearing, risk education, and medical support for injuries.
Foreign security forces
These groups receive training, equipment, and technical expertise for weapons and ammunition stockpile management.
Farmers in conflict-affected regions
These individuals gain access to land cleared of unexploded ordnance for agricultural use.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this bill actually change?
Does this bill authorize new spending?
Why is the U.S. involved in foreign weapons storage?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Formalization of Security Sector Partnerships
The bill shifts the focus of demining programs to include explicit security sector partnerships (WAM/PSSM) aimed at preventing weapons diversion, linking humanitarian aid directly to U.S. border security and migration concerns.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools