Sponsors (31)
Directs the Secretary of State to produce and implement a time‑bound plan to wind down UNRWA operations and transition services to other providers, with a strategy due in 180 days and implementation to begin within one year of submission.
Official title: To require the Secretary State to submit to Congress a strategy to dismantle United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East operations, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 14, 2026 by Michael Lawler · Last progress July 14, 2026
The bill shifts UNRWA responsibilities to host governments and NGOs and strengthens oversight and fiscal transparency to maintain services, but it risks service disruptions, local financial strain, reduced protections for vulnerable Palestinians, and diplomatic fallout if successor actors lack capacity or compliance.
Palestine refugees would have education, healthcare, and other social services maintained by host governments and qualified NGOs during a managed transition away from UNRWA.
Successor providers would be subject to transparency and accountability standards, which could reduce misuse of assistance and increase donor confidence.
A required time‑bound strategy and cost estimates would improve congressional oversight and clarify the fiscal impacts for taxpayers and appropriators.
Palestine refugees could face service disruptions or reduced coverage if successor actors lack the capacity or funding to sustain programs.
Host countries and NGOs tasked with replacing UNRWA may incur new financial and operational burdens, potentially straining local budgets and services.
If successor providers fail to meet standards, humanitarian aid effectiveness could decline and vulnerable populations could lose protections previously tied to UNRWA programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Secretary of State to produce and begin carrying out a coordinated, time‑bound plan to wind down United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) operations across the Middle East and to transition UNRWA services to other providers. The Secretary must deliver a comprehensive strategy to Congress within 180 days and begin implementation no later than one year after submitting the strategy, while ensuring continuity of critical humanitarian services and minimum transparency and accountability standards for successor entities. The strategy must include a phased wind‑down timeline, program assessments (education, health, social services, infrastructure), identification of successor entities (host governments, international organizations, NGOs), continuity and risk mitigation plans, diplomatic engagement plans, and cost estimates with funding recommendations. Implementation must be coordinated with federal agencies, host governments, international partners, and other stakeholders.