State Department would resume funding for Palestinian refugee aid agency

The Secretary of State would resume funding UNRWA and provide funding consistent with the Secretary’s waiver for lifesaving humanitarian aid. The same section would repeal title III of division G of Public Law 118–47 and section 308 of division A of Public Law 118–50. The funding direction would apply despite other laws and use the State Department’s existing authority. The text does not set a funding amount. The funding directions and repeals would take effect when the bill becomes law.

The President would have to cancel the February 4, 2025, executive order. The direction covers the entire order titled Withdrawing the United States From and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations. The requirement would take effect when the bill becomes law.

The Secretary of State would report to Congress on UNRWA’s steps to carry out recommendations from an independent review. Reports would go to the relevant congressional committees and cover recommendations from the outside review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. The first report would be due within 90 days after the bill becomes law, with quarterly reports thereafter through December 31, 2028.