New Bill Forces U.S. to Immediately Restore Funding to UNRWA, Repealing Prior Bans

The aptly named UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 is designed to do exactly what it says: reverse recent policy decisions and immediately restart U.S. financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Hitting the Reset Button on Aid

This bill cuts straight to the chase by legislating an end to the funding ban. It specifically repeals Section 308 of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, and wipes out related restrictions in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (SEC. 3). Think of this as hitting the 'undo' button on Congress’s previous decision to halt funds. Furthermore, the bill requires the President to cancel the Executive Order from February 4, 2025, that stopped funding to certain UN organizations. The Secretary of State is then required to start sending money to UNRWA as soon as practical under existing State Department authority, prioritizing life-saving aid (SEC. 3).

Why the rush? Congress states its policy is that the U.S. must prevent civilian conditions in Gaza—like hunger and disease outbreaks—from getting worse, and UNRWA is viewed as the only organization capable of handling the immediate crisis (SEC. 2).

The Accountability Catch

While the bill restores the money, it doesn't do so without strings attached. The policy statement makes it clear that the funding restoration is contingent on UNRWA increasing accountability and transparency, specifically by following through on the recommendations made by the Independent Review Group led by Catherine Colonna (SEC. 2). This means the money is tied to the agency cleaning up its act and proving it can maintain neutrality.

To ensure this oversight actually happens, the Secretary of State has a mandatory reporting duty to Congress. They must submit an initial report within 90 days and then continue sending updates quarterly until December 31, 2028 (SEC. 3). These reports must detail exactly what steps UNRWA is taking to implement those accountability recommendations. For the average taxpayer, this is the mechanism that ensures the U.S. isn't just throwing money at the problem but is demanding measurable change.

The Real-World Impact: Who Feels It?

For the millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria who rely on UNRWA for basic services like food, education, and healthcare, this bill is a lifeline. The immediate resumption of funds is aimed at stabilizing a humanitarian situation that is rapidly deteriorating. If the funding is restored quickly, it could mean the difference between a functional aid pipeline and a complete collapse of services.

On the other hand, those who opposed UNRWA funding due to concerns about the agency's neutrality or alleged staff misconduct will likely see this as a premature move. The bill addresses this concern by urging Israel to share any evidence it has regarding staff violations so UNRWA can aggressively investigate and maintain neutrality (SEC. 2). However, the funding is set to resume before those investigations are necessarily complete, relying instead on UNRWA's promise to implement long-term structural changes.

This legislation is a clear policy pivot. It prioritizes immediate humanitarian intervention and relies on mandated reporting and structural reform to address accountability concerns simultaneously. It’s a move that says, 'We need the aid to flow now, but we’re going to be watching the books closely for the next four years.'