H.R. 5299

119 HR 5299 IH: DFC Modernization Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-09-11
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 5299  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   September 11, 2025   Mr. Mast  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Foreign Affairs    A BILL
To modify and reauthorize the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   DFC Modernization Act of 2025  .
2.
Sense of Congress; statement of policy
(a)
In general
It is the sense of Congress that the United States International Development Finance Corporation should seek to responsibly increase its risk tolerance in investments to ensure that the Corporation is maximizing the mobilization of private capital and properly pursuing its statutory objectives of advancing United States foreign policy, economic development, and national security goals to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, including—
(1)
by more frequent use of one or more of a variety of tools to mitigate risk to the private sector, including the use of equity, hybrid securities, mezzanine debt, accepting creditor status that is subordinate to that of other creditors, using partial guarantees, employing first loss coverage, insurance, and using blended finance;
(2)
by lending, investing, or offering insurance in high-risk countries, regions, or sectors as a means to achieve its mission as a United States foreign policy and development agency of economic statecraft to mobilize capital, secure strategic needs, and build private markets;
(3)
by preventing strategic competitor inroads and dominance of key sectors such as infrastructure, critical and rare earth minerals, and critical supply chains and industries, which is in the economic and national security interests of the United States; and
(4)
by assisting allied and partner countries in achieving energy security through diversification of their energy sources and supply routes which is in the economic and national security interests of the United States.
(b)
Statement of policy
It is the policy of the United States—
(1)
to advance United States foreign policy, national security, and economic development goals by facilitating market-based private sector development in countries to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous;
(2)
to counter or limit strategic competitor inroads and dominance of key sectors such as infrastructure, critical and rare earth minerals, and critical supply chains and industries through support of diversified private sector options and by providing a robust alternative to and reducing reliance on state-directed, unsustainable financing by strategic competitors of the United States;
(3)
to advance United States foreign policy, national security, and economic development goals by assisting countries to reduce their dependence on resources from countries that use dependence for undue malign influence and that have used natural gas, nuclear energy, oil, rare earths, critical and strategic materials, and other resources to coerce, intimidate, and influence other countries;
(4)
to promote the energy security of allied and partner countries by encouraging the development of accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets that provide diversified sources, energy types, and diversified energy transport and distribution methods and routes, which are in the economic and national security interests of the United States;
(5)
to encourage United States public and private sector investment in energy, telecommunications, and other infrastructure projects in allied and partner countries to bridge the gap between security requirements and commercial demand consistent with the country’s absorptive capacity;
(6)
to facilitate the export of United States energy, telecommunications, technology, expertise, and other resources to global markets in a way that benefits the economic and national security interests of the United States;
(7)
to support private sector development in countries that promote economic prosperity in a manner that can help to curb illegal migration and secure the borders of the United States;
(8)
to facilitate procurement of necessary resources and supply chains for the benefit of the United States and its citizens; and
(9)
to facilitate market-based private sector development and economic growth through the provision of credit, capital, and other financial support by taking on substantial financial risk, and when necessary financial losses, to unlock new, significant private capital investments or achieve or advance major United States foreign policy objectives. Losses may be expected, in certain instances, at the individual investment level and financial performance may be measured at the overall portfolio level.
I
DEFINITIONS AND LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRY FOCUS
101.
Definitions
Section 1402 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9601 ) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively;
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
(2)
High-income country
The term  high-income country  means a country with a high-income economy, as defined by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (collectively referred to as the  World Bank ).
 ;
(3)
in paragraph (5), as so redesignated—
(A)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  or  at the end;
(B)
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; or ; and
(C)
by adding at the end, the following:
(C)
any other similar institution that has a purpose that is similar to the purposes of the Corporation as described in section 1412(b) of this title.
  ; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following:
(6)
Country of concern
The term  country of concern  means any of the following countries:
(A)
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
(B)
The Republic of Cuba.
(C)
The Democratic People’s Republican of Korea.
(D)
The Islamic Republic of Iran.
(E)
The People’s Republic of China.
(F)
The Russian Federation.
(G)
Belarus.
 .
102.
Less developed country focus
Section 1412 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9612 ) is amended—
(1)
by inserting  and high income countries and areas, as appropriate,  after  less developed countries ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(3)
Support in high-income countries and areas
The Corporation shall restrict the provision of support under title II in high-income countries and areas unless the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such support furthers the national economic or foreign policy interests of the United States.
 .
II
MANAGEMENT OF CORPORATION
201.
Board of Directors
Section 1413(b) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9613(b) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking  5 individuals  each place it appears and inserting  3 individuals ;
(2)
in subparagraph (2)(B)(i), by striking subclause III and inserting the following:
(III)
One other principal officer from an executive Department designated by the President.
  ; and
(3)
by striking subparagraph (4) and inserting the following:
(4)
Vice chairperson
The President shall appoint a member of the Board to serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Board.
 .
202.
Chief Risk Officer
Section 1413(f) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9613(f) ) is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking  , who—  and inserting a period;
(2)
in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
(3)
in paragraph (2), by striking  audit  and inserting  risk .
203.
Chief Development Officer
(a)
In general
Section 1413 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9613 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a), by striking  a Chief Development Officer, ;
(2)
by striking subsection (g) and redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively;
(3)
in subsection (g) as so redesignated, by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1)
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this section, officers, employees, and agents shall be selected and appointed by or under the authority of the Chief Executive Officer, and shall be vested with such powers and duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the designee of the Chief Executive Officer may determine.
 ; and
(4)
in subsection (h), as so redesignated, by striking  and the Chief Development Officer, .
(b)
Chief Executive Officer
Section 1445 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9655 ) is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
(a)
In general
The Chief Executive Officer shall—
(1)
develop a strategic relationship with private sector entities focused at the nexus of business opportunities and development priorities;
(2)
engage such entities and reduce business risks primarily through direct transaction support and facilitating investment partnerships;
(3)
develop and support tools, approaches, and intermediaries that can mobilize private finance at scale in the developing world; and
(4)
pursue highly developmental projects of all sizes, especially those that are small but designed for work in the most underdeveloped areas, including countries with chronic suffering as a result of extreme poverty, fragile institutions, or a history of violence.
 ; and
(2)
in subsection (c), by striking  the United States Agency for International Development and .
204.
Administratively determined positions
Section 1413(g)(2) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9613(g)(2) ), as so redesignated, is amended in subparagraph (A) by striking  50  and inserting  100 .
III
AUTHORITIES RELATING TO PROVISION OF SUPPORT
301.
Equity limitation
Section 1421(c)(4)(A) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9621(c)(4)(A) ) is amended by striking  30  and inserting  49 .
302.
Revolving equity investment account
(a)
Equity Investments Account
Section 1421(c) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9621(c) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(7)
Equity Investments Account
(A)
Establishment
There is established in the Treasury of the United States an Equity Investments Account of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (referred to in this subsection as the  Equity Investments Account ).
(B)
Retention of collections
Collections derived from the earnings, fees, credits, and other collections from the equity investments made using amounts in the Equity Investments Account shall be deposited into the Equity Investments Account, and shall be available to the Corporation without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation for carrying out the purposes of this section.
 .
(b)
Collections
Section 1434(h) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9634(h) ) is amended by adding  except earnings, fees, credits, and other collections related to equity investments from the Equity Investments Account,  after  earnings collected related to equity investments, .
303.
Enterprise funds
Section 1421(g) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9621(g) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking  the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, ; and
(2)
in paragraph (3)(E), by striking  Agency for International Development .
304.
Termination
Section 1424(a) of the Better Utilization of investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9624(a) ) is amended by striking  the date that is 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act  and inserting  December 31, 2031 .
IV
OTHER MATTERS
401.
Corporate powers
Section 1432(a) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9632(a) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2), by striking  division C of subtitle I of ; and
(2)
in paragraph (10), by striking  until the expiration of the current lease under predecessor authority, as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act .
402.
Maximum contingent liability
Section 1433 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9633 ) is amended by striking  $60,000,000,000  and inserting  $250,000,000,000 .
403.
Authority to use portion of corporation fees to update information technology systems; transfer of funds
Section 1434 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9634 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (d)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B), by adding  and  at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; and
(iii)
by striking subparagraph (D); and
(B)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  and  at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
project-specific transaction costs; and
(E)
transfers and additions to such other accounts, funds, or reserves as the Corporation may establish, at such time and in such amounts as the Board may determine.
 ;
(2)
in subsection (j), by inserting  (i) title 10, United States Code, (ii) the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act ( 50 U.S.C. 98 et seq. ), or (iii)  after  funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out ; and
(3)
in subsection (k)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by inserting  other direct costs associated with origination or monitoring services, including seminars, conferences, and other pre-investment services,  after  legal expenses, ; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by striking  does not include  and inserting  includes .
404.
Notifications to be provided by the corporation
Section 1446(a) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9656(a) ) is amended by striking  $10,000,000  and inserting  $100,000,000 .
405.
Millennium challenge corporation
(a)
Coordination with other development agencies
Section 1435 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9635 ) is amended by striking  the United States Agency for International Development .
(b)
Sources of information
Section 1451(g)(2) of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9671(g)(2) ) is amended by striking  the Department of Commerce’s Country Commercial Guides, or the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Constraints Analysis,  and inserting  or the Department of Commerce’s Country Commercial Guides, .
406.
State-owned enterprises
Section 1451 of the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018 ( 22 U.S.C. 9671 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(j)
Policies with respect to state-Owned enterprises, anticompetitive practices, and
  countries of concern
(1)
Policy
The Corporation shall develop appropriate policies and guidelines for support provided under title II for a project involving a state-owned enterprise, sovereign wealth fund, or a parastatal entity to ensure such support is provided consistent with appropriate principles and practices of competitive neutrality.
(2)
Prohibitions
(A)
Anticompetitive practices
The Corporation may not provide support under title II for a project that involves a private sector entity engaged in anticompetitive practices.
(B)
Countries of concern
The Corporation may not provide support under title II for projects—
(i)
that involve partnerships with the government of a country of concern or a state-owned enterprise that belongs to or is under the control of a foreign country of concern; or
(ii)
that would be operated, managed, or controlled by the government of a country of concern or a state-owned enterprise that belongs to or is under the control of a foreign country of concern.
(3)
Definitions
In this subsection:
(A)
State-owned enterprise
The term  state-owned enterprise  means any enterprise established for a commercial or business purpose that is directly owned or controlled by one or more governments, including any agency, instrumentality, subdivision, or other unit of government at any level of jurisdiction.
(B)
Control
The term  control , with respect to an enterprise, means the power by any means to control the enterprise regardless of—
(i)
the level of ownership; and
(ii)
whether or not the power is exercised.
(C)
Owned
The term  owned , with respect to an enterprise, means a majority or controlling interest, whether by value or voting interest, of the shares of that enterprise, including through fiduciaries, agents, or other means.
(4)
Qualifying sovereign entity
State-owned enterprises, sovereign wealth funds, or parastatal entities that the Corporation supports, pursuant to the policy and prohibitions in section 407 (1) and (2), shall be considered as a  qualifying sovereign entity  as defined in section 1402.
 .
407.
Repeal of redundant provisions of the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019
The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 (title XX of division P of  Public Law 116–94 ;  22 U.S.C. 9501  note) is hereby repealed.