Why It Matters

Doctors Without Borders faces urgent operational needs amid a shrinking funding landscape. The organization operates in some of the world’s deadliest crises—Sudan’s deteriorating humanitarian emergency and Gaza where it handled over 100,000 trauma cases in 2025—yet total U.S. humanitarian aid plummeted 81% between 2022 and 2025.

Congressional momentum on specific crises creates tactical opportunities for MSF’s advocacy—the organization was directly cited by Rep. Rosa DeLauro warning of mass starvation in Gaza, and bipartisan support exists for protecting humanitarian workers and ensuring aid access in Sudan. But MSF must navigate intense fiscal scrutiny, with oversight hearings questioning aid effectiveness and accountability.

By the Numbers

Doctors Without Borders USA disclosed $109,982 in in-house lobbying expenditures for the last quarter 2025, continuing a sustained advocacy presence dating to March 2021. The organization has filed 22 lobbying disclosures totaling $1.3 million over that period.

Unlike many peer organizations, MSF conducts all lobbying in-house rather than hiring external firms. Health issues dominate, appearing in 19 of 21 issue-specific disclosures, with concentrated advocacy on biomedical research transparency, equitable medical access, antibiotic resistance, and pandemic preparedness.

The organization remains part of a broader humanitarian lobbying cohort: Save the Children spent $130,000 on in-house lobbying in Q1 2025, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF spent $60,000 in Q4 2024, and Oxfam America conducted in-house lobbying in Q2 2025.

The Agenda

Doctors Without Borders is not lobbying on specific legislation in this Q4 2025 filing. Instead, the organization continues broader advocacy on health equity, equitable access to medicines and vaccines, biomedical research transparency, and pandemic preparedness.

This quarter’s disclosure arrives as Congress debates multiple bills directly aligned with MSF’s mission: the U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act to ensure humanitarian access in Sudan, legislation creating a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers, and resolutions on global health strategy.

MSF is explicitly cited by lawmakers pushing aid to Gaza. Rep. Rosa DeLauro named the organization when warning of mass starvation, while Democratic senators pushed for medical-humanitarian visas for Gazans needing care.

Broader Context

Congress is grappling with competing impulses on humanitarian aid. Members are actively championing crises in Gaza and Sudan, with legislation advancing humanitarian access and protection for aid workers signaling Democratic support for MSF’s operational priorities.

However, Senate and House committees are conducting oversight hearings questioning the efficiency and accountability of U.S. foreign aid, signaling fiscal conservatism that could limit overall humanitarian funding. This creates a paradox: specific crises receive attention while general humanitarian assistance faces scrutiny.

Between The Lines

Democratic members are particularly vocal on humanitarian access. Sen. Cory Booker and 40 Democratic colleagues pushed for reinstating medical-humanitarian visas for Gazans needing urgent care. Congressional doctors demanded safe passage for food, water, fuel, and medical supplies—essential conditions for MSF operations.

Competitive Landscape

Multiple humanitarian organizations are actively lobbying Congress on overlapping issues with MSF. Save the Children disclosed $130,000 in the first quarter of 2025 lobbying on foreign assistance funding and humanitarian appropriations. U.S. Fund for UNICEF spent $60,000 in the last quarter of 2024 using external firm Akin Gump. Oxfam America lobbied on humanitarian response policies in Gaza, Syria, Ukraine, and Sudan.

These organizations share common legislative targets, including bills addressing humanitarian access in Sudan, protection for aid workers, and global health funding—indicating a unified but competitive advocacy ecosystem.

The Bottom Line

Doctors Without Borders spent $109,982 on lobbying in the last quarter continuing a multiyear advocacy push totaling $1.3 million since 2021. The organization operates within a fragmented congressional landscape: Democrats champion humanitarian access while Republicans scrutinize foreign aid spending. MSF faces a narrowing advocacy window as global humanitarian funding contracts sharply and aid becomes increasingly politicized.

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