HR2411-119

What This Bill Does

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act restores U.S. support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Congress states that preventing further erosion of civilian conditions in Gaza is a strategic and moral U.S. interest, supports UNRWA's role in mitigating famine and disease, urges Israel to provide evidence for UNRWA neutrality investigations, urges the President to restore funding in light of UN and UNRWA accountability commitments, and supports funding for fiscal year 2025 and beyond. Operatively, the bill repeals title III of division G of Public Law 118-47 and section 308 of Public Law 118-50, directs the Secretary of State to resume UNRWA funding under current State Department authorities and the Secretary's lifesaving humanitarian aid waiver, rescinds the February 4, 2025 executive order withdrawing from and ending funding to certain United Nations organizations, and requires State to report within 90 days and quarterly through December 31, 2028 on UNRWA implementation of the Independent Review Group recommendations led by Catherine Colonna.

Who Benefits and How

Palestinian refugees receiving UNRWA services benefit because U.S. funding would resume for humanitarian and human development services. Civilians in Gaza benefit from restored support for aid intended to mitigate famine, disease, and deteriorating civilian conditions. UNRWA program administrators benefit from renewed U.S. funding under current State Department authorities. Humanitarian aid organizations benefit if U.S. policy again supports UNRWA coordination in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State Department foreign assistance staff must resume funding and produce quarterly reports through December 31, 2028. The President must rescind the February 4, 2025 executive order ending support to certain United Nations organizations. UNRWA neutrality compliance staff must continue implementing the Catherine Colonna independent review recommendations. Opponents of UNRWA funding lose statutory funding bars enacted in 2024 and must rely on oversight rather than a blanket prohibition.

Key Provisions

• Repeals 2024 statutory provisions that barred or restricted funding for UNRWA.
• Directs the Secretary of State to resume UNRWA funding under current authorities and lifesaving humanitarian aid waiver authority.
• Requires the President to rescind the February 4, 2025 executive order on ending funding to certain United Nations organizations.
• Requires State Department reports within 90 days and quarterly through December 31, 2028 on UNRWA implementation of the Catherine Colonna review recommendations.
• States congressional support for UNRWA humanitarian services in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.