S. 4577 — Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act

This section makes findings on Tanzania's political and economic conditions. It states that the country experienced strong growth in agriculture, mining, and tourism, but that the October 29, 2025, elections featured ballot manipulation and irregularities favoring the incumbent, that security forces killed hundreds during related protests, and that an internet shutdown imposed during the unrest cost an estimated $238 million.

This section expresses the sense of Congress that countering democratic backsliding in key partner nations serves U.S. national security interests, that the Government of Tanzania has subverted democracy, violated human rights, and endangered regional stability, and that the Millennium Challenge Corporation threshold program for Tanzania should be terminated. It also expresses solidarity with the Tanzanian people and supports an international independent investigation into pre- and post-election violence.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the United States Trade Representative, and other relevant agencies, to conduct a reassessment of the bilateral relationship with Tanzania. The reassessment must analyze Tanzania’s democratic trajectory and needed reforms, evaluate U.S. security assistance for human rights compliance, assess impacts of recent unrest and internet shutdowns on U.S. business, and examine Tanzania’s military, economic, and political ties with China; the Secretary must submit findings to the appropriate congressional committees within 90 days.

This section directs the Secretary of State to submit, within 180 days of enactment, a report to the appropriate congressional committees and the Senate and House banking and financial services committees listing each senior official in the Government of Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, the Tanzania Police Force, the Tanzanian People’s Defense Force, or the Tanzanian Intelligence and Security Service whom the Secretary determines is responsible for or complicit in abductions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, harassment or violence against journalists or activists, media or internet censorship, religious persecution, transnational repression, extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross human rights violations.

This section authorizes the President to impose sanctions, including blocking of U.S. property and interests in property and ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole, on any foreign person identified in the report required under section 5 who meets the criteria in section 5(a)(2)(A). It permits termination of sanctions upon presidential certification to Congress that the person has ceased the activity and will not resume it, exempts humanitarian assistance involving agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices as well as compliance with international obligations and intelligence activities, and applies penalties and rulemaking authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

This section prohibits security assistance and financing, loans, guarantees, or equity investments from the US International Development Finance Corporation, Export-Import Bank, and US Trade and Development Agency to any entity in Tanzania. The prohibition terminates 30 days after the Secretary of State certifies that Tanzania has enacted electoral reforms, released opposition leaders held on political grounds, held officials accountable for political violence, and ended intimidation of media and civil society. Exceptions cover humanitarian assistance, health assistance, and support for democracy, human rights, governance, and civil society.

This section prohibits Millennium Challenge Corporation funds for any threshold or compact activities in Tanzania. The prohibition terminates 30 days after the MCC Board certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Tanzania has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to just and democratic governance under the criteria in section 607 of the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003.

This section defines the term "appropriate committees of Congress" for purposes of the Act as the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Committee on Appropriations, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Appropriations.