S. 3299Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Saving Americans in Foreign Evacuations (SAFE) Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 1:04 PM UTC

The SAFE Act makes sure that U.S. citizens and permanent‑resident aliens who are evacuated from Israel because of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing conflict will not have to pay back the U.S. government for travel arranged by the State Department. It also directs the Secretary of State to study whether free evacuations should be offered in future crises worldwide and provides $2 million for the program in fiscal year 2024.

Key Provisions

Prohibits any requirement that evacuees from Israel reimburse the government for State Department‑organized travel during FY 2024.
Mandates a report to Congress within 180 days on the feasibility of expanding free evacuation assistance globally, covering cost estimates, additional Department responsibilities, needed authorities, and potential moral‑hazard issues.
Authorizes $2 million in FY 2024 appropriations for the State Department to carry out the Act’s provisions.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

November 14, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

November 14, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

November 14, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued November 14, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 3299

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 14 (legislative day, November 13), 2023

Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Ms. Rosen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

A BILL

To provide that United States citizens evacuating Israel shall not be required to reimburse the United States Government, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Saving Americans in Foreign Evacuations (SAFE) Act.

Requirement to provide free travel to United States citizens evacuating Israel

Notwithstanding section 4(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2671(b)(2)(A)(ii)), private United States citizens and permanent resident aliens evacuating Israel in response to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas and the resulting war and civil unrest shall not be required to reimburse the United States Government for travel organized by the Department of State during fiscal year 2024 pursuant to such section.

Report

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a report examining the feasibility of expanding the reimbursement requirement under section (2) to future evacuations worldwide.

(b)

Elements

The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements:

(1)

The estimated annual costs of providing cost-free flights and other forms of transportation.

(2)

A description of the additional responsibilities the Department would bear under such a requirement.

(3)

A description of additional authorities the Department would need to under such a requirement.

(4)

A description of moral hazard issues that may arise from such a requirement.

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 for the Department of State to carry out activities under this Act.