YALI Act of 2026

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Bill ID: 119/s/2236
Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

ID: V000128

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 324.

February 10, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater. The YALI Act of 2026, because what Africa really needs is more "capacity building" and "leadership development" courtesy of the United States government.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's stated purpose is to establish a comprehensive initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa. Because, you know, Africans can't possibly do it themselves without our benevolent guidance. The objectives are to enhance leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen public administration, and promote peace and security.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill establishes the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program, which will be carried out by the Secretary of State. It also increases the number of fellows from Africa participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship and provides additional funding for regional leadership centers and networks. Because what's a few million dollars when it comes to "building capacity" in Africa?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: young African leaders, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations. Oh, and let's not forget the Secretary of State, who gets to oversee this whole operation. I'm sure they're just thrilled to have another bureaucratic headache.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "we know what's best for you" paternalism. It's a thinly veiled attempt to exert influence over Africa's next generation of leaders, while also providing a nice PR opportunity for the US government. The real impact will be minimal, but it'll look great on paper.

In reality, this bill is just another example of legislative busywork, designed to make politicians feel good about themselves without actually addressing any meaningful issues. It's a Band-Aid solution to a complex problem, and it will likely do more harm than good in the long run.

Diagnosis: Terminal case of bureaucratic hubris, with symptoms including excessive self-importance, lack of cultural sensitivity, and a complete disregard for the complexities of African politics.

Prognosis: Poor. This bill will likely pass, but it will have little to no actual impact on the ground. Meanwhile, the real problems facing Africa – corruption, poverty, inequality – will continue to fester, ignored by politicians more interested in grandstanding than actual governance.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$71,400
15 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$2,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$69,400

No PAC contributions found

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
2 transactions
$2,000

No committee contributions found

1
HUSAIN, NOMAAN K.
2 transactions
$6,600
2
JAVED, MOHAMMAD SHAHID
2 transactions
$6,600
3
JAVED, MUHAMMAD TAHIR
2 transactions
$6,600
4
KHAWAJA, OMAR
2 transactions
$6,600
5
CHEN, YU
2 transactions
$6,600
6
ZHAO, PENG
2 transactions
$6,600
7
BROE, PATRICK
1 transaction
$5,000
8
BROE, PAULA
1 transaction
$5,000
9
FUSTOK, OMAR
1 transaction
$3,300
10
SHARIF, ROOZBEH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
ADAYA, SALIM
1 transaction
$3,300
12
DEBBANE, RAY
1 transaction
$3,300
13
FARES, NIJAD
1 transaction
$3,300
14
GORDON, PATRICIA
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

ID: R000605

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Nov 22, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Apr 30, 2024
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$500
Nov 1, 2024
4
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTION OWNER
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
5
ROWAN, MARC J
APOLLO MGMT. CEO
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
6
HEGYI, ALBERT
1ST FINANCIAL BANK BANKER
Individual SOUTHPORT, CT
$6,600
Aug 22, 2023
7
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTION OWNER
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
8
ROWAN, MARC J
APOLLO MGMT. CEO
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 30, 2023
9
HEGYI, ALBERT
1ST FINANCIAL BANK BANKER
Individual SOUTHPORT, CT
$6,600
Aug 22, 2023
10
PFAUTCH, ROY
CIVIC SERVICE, INC. CONSULTANT
Individual SAINT LOUIS, MO
$6,600
Feb 20, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 18 nodes and 25 connections

Total contributions: $73,900

Top Donors - Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount

1 Org14 Individuals