H.R. 7271: Evan Anzoo Memorial Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Evan Anzoo Memorial Act, aims to require a report from the Comptroller General of the United States regarding the consequences of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ceasing operations. Specifically, the bill mandates that a comprehensive report be submitted to both the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations within a year after the bill becomes law. Additionally, this report is to be made publicly available online.

Key Components of the Report

The report is expected to cover several critical areas:

Estimate of Deaths in 2025: It will include an estimate of how many deaths occurred in 2025 that were attributed to USAID's stop work order and the subsequent discontinuation of services.
Future Deaths Projection: The report will project the number of anticipated deaths over the next five years due to the ongoing lack of access to essential services that USAID previously provided.
Individual Cases: It will evaluate whether specific individuals died as a result of USAID's operational changes, including:
- Evan Anzoo, a 5-year-old from South Sudan, who lost access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
- Pe Kau Lau, a 71-year-old from Thailand, who lost access to oxygen supply.
- Other children from regions including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, who died due to the loss of malaria treatments.
Additional Names: Lastly, the report will provide a list of any other individuals known to have died as a result of USAID service discontinuations.

Interim Update Requirement

In addition to the final report, the bill requires the Comptroller General to provide an interim update to Congress 180 days after the enactment. This update will inform lawmakers of the findings so far related to the factors outlined in the final report.

Overall Purpose

The overarching goal of the Evan Anzoo Memorial Act is to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the impacts of the cessation of USAID services, particularly in vulnerable regions where access to healthcare and vital support services is critical for survival.