PRIA Logo™
119-s-898119th Congress

UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Welch, Peter [D-VT]

Introduced

Summary

Restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA to revive humanitarian support for Palestinian refugees and address urgent needs in Gaza. The bill would repeal recent statutory bans, require the President to rescind a withdrawal Executive order, and direct the Secretary of State to resume U.S. support under existing authorities as soon as practicable.

Show full summary
  • Families and refugees: Would enable UNRWA to continue lifesaving humanitarian and human development services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
  • U.S. foreign policy and aid delivery: Would repeal two specific legal prohibitions and instruct the Secretary of State to restart funding quickly under current authorities.
  • Oversight and accountability: Would require the Secretary of State to report to congressional committees within 90 days and then quarterly through December 31, 2028 on steps UNRWA is taking to implement the Independent Review Group recommendations led by Catherine Colonna.
  • Diplomacy and funding support: Expresses congressional calls for Israel and the United States to help UNRWA implement neutrality reforms, urges the President to coordinate with allies on restoring funding, and supports appropriating funds for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Quarterly reports on UNRWA reforms

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State to report to Congress not later than 90 days after enactment. The State Department would then send reports every three months through December 31, 2028. Each report must describe steps UNRWA is taking to implement the Independent Review Group recommendations led by Catherine Colonna. This is an oversight requirement for the State Department, not a payment to individuals.

Resume U.S. aid to UNRWA

If enacted, the bill would repeal specific laws that barred U.S. funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It would also require the President to rescind the February 4, 2025 Executive Order withdrawing U.S. support for some U.N. organizations. The Secretary of State would be directed to resume funding to UNRWA as soon as practicable, using existing State Department authorities and consistent with a lifesaving humanitarian aid waiver. The bill does not list specific dollar amounts. The funding would help Palestinian refugees and other civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and East Jerusalem.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Welch, Peter [D-VT]

VT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation