---
kind: "section"
citation: "22 U.S.C. § 2412"
title: "22"
title_heading: "Foreign Relations and Intercourse"
number: "2412"
heading: "Limitation on foreign assistance appropriations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/22/2412"
units:
  - "Chapter 32 — Foreign Assistance"
  - "Subchapter III — General and Administrative Provisions"
  - "Part III — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §2412. Limitation on foreign assistance appropriations

- (a) **Restrictions on appropriations in absence of or in excess of prior authorizations—** Notwithstanding any provision of law enacted before January 12, 1971, no money appropriated for [foreign assistance](/usc/22/2394.md?p=b-1) (including foreign military sales) shall be available for obligation or expenditure—
  - (1) unless the appropriation thereof has been previously authorized by law; or
  - (2) in excess of an amount previously prescribed by law.
- (b) **Exception—** To the extent that legislation enacted after the making of an appropriation for [foreign assistance](/usc/22/2394.md?p=b-1) (including foreign military sales) authorizes the obligation or expenditure thereof, the limitation contained in [subsection (a)](#a) shall have no effect.
- (c) **Specific repeal or modification of section—** The provisions of this section shall not be superseded except by a provision of law enacted after January 12, 1971, which specifically repeals or modifies the provisions of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–672, § 10, Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2055.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was not enacted as part of Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, known as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which comprises this chapter.