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UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

USA117th CongressS-3467| Senate 
| Updated: 1/18/2022
James E. Risch

James E. Risch

Republican Senator

Idaho

Cosponsors (6)
Rick Scott (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)John Thune (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act This bill makes changes to U.S. foreign policy in matters concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). For purposes of this policy, the bill defines Palestinian refugee as a person who (1) resided from June 1946 to May 1948 in Mandatory Palestine (a region controlled by Britain until 1948), (2) was personally displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, and (3) has not accepted citizenship or other permanent adjustment in status in another country. Furthermore, under U.S. policy, derivative refugee status may only extend to the spouse or minor child of such a Palestinian refugee. The bill withholds U.S. funding for the UNRWA unless the Department of State makes certifications concerning the UNRWA's staff, partners, and funding. Specifically, the State Department must certify that neither UNRWA staff and partners nor its funding and facilities are affiliated with terrorism or engaged in the dissemination of certain rhetoric, such as calling for the destruction of Israel or describing Israelis as occupiers or settlers . Additionally, the State Department must certify that the UNRWA is subject to comprehensive independent financial audits and is unaffiliated with any financial institutions that the United States considers to be complicit in money laundering or terror financing. The State Department must also implement a plan to encourage other countries to align their activities and efforts regarding the UNRWA with U.S. policy objectives, including the phaseout of the UNRWA by resettling Palestinian refugees outside of Israel.
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Timeline
Aug 4, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4721
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.
Jan 10, 2022
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jan 10, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jan 18, 2022
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
  • August 4, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4721
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.


  • January 10, 2022
    Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.


  • January 10, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 18, 2022
    Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-2479: UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act
  • HR 117-4721: UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

USA117th CongressS-3467| Senate 
| Updated: 1/18/2022
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act This bill makes changes to U.S. foreign policy in matters concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). For purposes of this policy, the bill defines Palestinian refugee as a person who (1) resided from June 1946 to May 1948 in Mandatory Palestine (a region controlled by Britain until 1948), (2) was personally displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, and (3) has not accepted citizenship or other permanent adjustment in status in another country. Furthermore, under U.S. policy, derivative refugee status may only extend to the spouse or minor child of such a Palestinian refugee. The bill withholds U.S. funding for the UNRWA unless the Department of State makes certifications concerning the UNRWA's staff, partners, and funding. Specifically, the State Department must certify that neither UNRWA staff and partners nor its funding and facilities are affiliated with terrorism or engaged in the dissemination of certain rhetoric, such as calling for the destruction of Israel or describing Israelis as occupiers or settlers . Additionally, the State Department must certify that the UNRWA is subject to comprehensive independent financial audits and is unaffiliated with any financial institutions that the United States considers to be complicit in money laundering or terror financing. The State Department must also implement a plan to encourage other countries to align their activities and efforts regarding the UNRWA with U.S. policy objectives, including the phaseout of the UNRWA by resettling Palestinian refugees outside of Israel.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Aug 4, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4721
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.
Jan 10, 2022
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jan 10, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Jan 18, 2022
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
  • August 4, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4721
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.


  • January 10, 2022
    Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.


  • January 10, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 18, 2022
    Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247.
James E. Risch

James E. Risch

Republican Senator

Idaho

Cosponsors (6)
Rick Scott (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)John Thune (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 117-2479: UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act
  • HR 117-4721: UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted