This bill would restore U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), contingent upon UNRWA's implementation of recommendations for accountability and transparency.
André Carson
Representative
IN-7
The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 aims to restore United States funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to address humanitarian needs in Gaza and support Palestinian refugees. It repeals previous legislation that prohibited funding to UNRWA and directs the Secretary of State to resume contributions, contingent upon UNRWA's progress in implementing recommendations for accountability and transparency. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on UNRWA's progress and encourages cooperation between the U.S. and Israel to aid UNRWA in implementing reforms.
Bill Directs U.S. to Resume UNRWA Funding, Mandates Quarterly Oversight Reports
This legislation aims to restart U.S. financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). It specifically repeals provisions in two recent laws – the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (title III of division G) and the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 (section 308) – that previously blocked this funding. The bill directs the Secretary of State to get funds flowing to UNRWA again promptly, citing the need for lifesaving humanitarian aid, particularly in Gaza.
Turning the Taps Back On
The core action here is the reversal of recent funding bans. By repealing the specific sections in the 2024 appropriations acts and directing the President to rescind a February 2025 Executive Order related to withdrawing funding from certain UN organizations, this bill removes the legal roadblocks preventing U.S. aid to UNRWA. The stated policy goal, outlined in Section 2, is to prevent worsening conditions in Gaza and support UNRWA's role in providing essential services like food and healthcare to Palestinian refugees across several regions, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
Accountability Check-Ins Required
While restoring funding, the bill also sets up an oversight mechanism. Section 3 mandates quarterly reports from the Secretary of State to Congress, running from 90 days after enactment through the end of 2028. These reports must detail UNRWA's progress in implementing recommendations from an independent review focused on the agency's neutrality and operational integrity. The bill acknowledges that making these changes stick requires cooperation and financial support from other UN member states, essentially tying future U.S. support to demonstrated progress on accountability and transparency.
The Balancing Act: Aid vs. Oversight
Ultimately, this bill tries to walk a line between addressing urgent humanitarian needs and ensuring the aid provider (UNRWA) operates responsibly. It puts U.S. funds back into UNRWA's budget to support its mission but makes continued support implicitly conditional on the agency addressing concerns outlined in the independent review, with Congress getting regular updates. The practical effect hinges on how diligently UNRWA implements reforms and how effectively these quarterly reports function as a genuine oversight tool.