10 U.S.C. § 408 — Assistance in support of Department of Defense accounting for missing United States Government personnel

(a) In general The Secretary of Defense may give assistance to, and buy goods and services from, any foreign nation, to help the Department of Defense recover and account for missing United States government personnel. (b) Types of assistance This assistance may include: (1) equipment; (2) supplies; (3) services; (4) training of personnel; and (5) funds. (c) Approval by Secretary of State Assistance cannot be given to a foreign nation under this section unless the Secretary of State specifically approves it. (d) Limitations (1) Except as allowed under paragraph (2), the total assistance given under this section in a fiscal year cannot exceed $15,000,000. (2) The Secretary of Defense may waive that $15,000,000 limit, but must notify the congressional defense committees of the waiver and explain why it is necessary. (3) No assistance may go to a foreign nation whose government the Secretary of State has determined has repeatedly supported international terrorism, under: (A) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018; (B) the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; or (C) the Arms Export Control Act. (e) Construction with other assistance This authority to help foreign nations is in addition to — not instead of — any other legal authority to give assistance to foreign nations. (f) Annual report By December 31 of each year, the Secretary of Defense must give the congressional defense committees a report on the assistance provided under this section during the previous fiscal year.