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UNRWA Accountability Act: Changes to US Funding for Palestinian Refugees.

This act modifies the conditions under which the United States can financially support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). It introduces new criteria for defining a Palestinian refugee and requires UNRWA to meet strict standards regarding transparency, counter-terrorism, and anti-Semitism before receiving funds. Citizens should be aware that these changes could impact the scope and method of humanitarian aid in the region.
Key points
New Palestinian refugee definition: Limits refugee status to individuals directly displaced in 1948 and their immediate family, excluding those who have accepted permanent residency elsewhere.
Withholding UNRWA funding: The U.S. will withhold contributions if UNRWA fails to meet conditions on ties to terrorism, prevention of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda, and financial transparency.
Funding limitations: Even if conditions are met, U.S. contributions cannot exceed the highest contribution from an Arab League country or be proportionally larger than the U.S. contribution to UNHCR.
Reporting and planning requirement: The Secretary of State must annually report on efforts to encourage other countries to adopt similar policies and to phase out UNRWA, integrating refugees into local communities.
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_2479
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Process start date: 2021-07-27
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_2479.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-07-27.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • New Palestinian refugee definition: Limits refugee status to individuals directly displaced in 1948 and their immediate family, excluding those who have accepted permanent residency elsewhere.
  • Withholding UNRWA funding: The U.S. will withhold contributions if UNRWA fails to meet conditions on ties to terrorism, prevention of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda, and financial transparency.
  • Funding limitations: Even if conditions are met, U.S. contributions cannot exceed the highest contribution from an Arab League country or be proportionally larger than the U.S. contribution to UNHCR.
  • Reporting and planning requirement: The Secretary of State must annually report on efforts to encourage other countries to adopt similar policies and to phase out UNRWA, integrating refugees into local communities.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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