Special Central American Assistance Act of 1979

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

11 December 1979

Last action

31 May 1980 · President

Status

Public Law 96-257.

Summary

Special Central American Assistance Act of 1979 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for economic assistance to Nicaragua and other countries in Central America. Requires the President to consider the Government of Nicaragua's observance of specified human rights when furnishing such assistance. Directs the Secretary of State to report semi-annually to Congress on the degree of observance of human rights in such country. Directs the President to terminate assistance if Nicaragua: (1) aids or abets any terrorist organization; or (2) harbors any foreign combat military forces which pose a threat to the security of the United States or any of its Latin American allies. Sets forth conditions for funds for: (1) the National School of Agriculture in Nicaragua; and (2) loans for private sector assistance.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

11 December 1979
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Source: IntroReferral
11 December 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
11 December 1979
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
18 December 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, H. Rept. 96-713.
Source: Committee
18 December 1979
Reported
Reported to House from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, H. Rept. 96-713.
Source: Committee
22 February 1980
Floor
Measure called up by special rule in House.
Source: Floor
25 February 1980
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
26 February 1980
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
27 February 1980
Vote
Measure passed House, amended, roll call #88 (202-197).
Source: Floor
27 February 1980
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #88 (202-197).
Source: Floor
27 February 1980
Floor
Measure considered in House.
Source: Floor
28 February 1980
Calendars
Placed on calendar in Senate.
Source: Calendars
19 May 1980
Vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, roll call #151 (44-35).
Source: Floor
19 May 1980
Floor
Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
Source: Floor
21 May 1980
President
Measure enrolled in Senate.
Source: President
21 May 1980
Floor
Measure presented to President.
Source: Floor
21 May 1980
President
Measure presented to President.
Source: President
21 May 1980
President
Measure enrolled in House.
Source: President
31 May 1980
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
31 May 1980
President
Signed by President.
Source: President
31 May 1980
President
Public Law 96-257.
Source: President

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

3 official files

Public Law (PDF)

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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 1 June 1980
View Download Open at official source
Passed House amended
summary · EN · 27 February 1980
Open at official source
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 11 December 1979
Open at official source

Related records

related to → A resolution providing for the consideration of the bill H.R. 6081 to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize assistance in support of peaceful and democratic processes of development in Central America.

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/house-bill/6081
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/96/hr/6081
us · 96-hr-6081 · source updated 2 September 2025