Sponsors (10)
Introduced April 15, 2026 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress April 15, 2026
The bill trades reduced U.S. funding and perceived protection from supporting actors linked to terrorism (and increased ability to seek accountability) against significant humanitarian disruptions for refugees, diminished U.S. influence at the U.N., operational risks to aid delivery, and potential diplomatic fallout.
U.S. taxpayers will not fund UNRWA programs or U.N. bodies chaired by governments the State Department has determined support terrorism, reducing federal outlays to these international agencies.
The legislation signals U.S. opposition to UNRWA and related U.N. practices, creating diplomatic leverage to press for reforms or accountability in how refugee assistance is managed.
Revoking or limiting immunity for UNRWA personnel makes it possible for U.S. law enforcement to investigate and pursue alleged wrongdoing by those officials, increasing potential accountability.
Palestinian refugees and other vulnerable civilians will lose U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance delivered via UNRWA and related U.N. programs, risking disruptions to food, shelter, education, and health services.
U.S. ability to shape, monitor, and influence refugee operations and other specialized U.N. agencies will decline as funding and engagement are withdrawn, reducing leverage over program safeguards and regional policy outcomes.
Stripping or limiting immunities for UNRWA staff could impede humanitarian operations because staff may face legal exposure, arrest, or reluctance to serve, slowing or disrupting aid delivery to beneficiaries.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Stops all U.S. contributions to UNRWA and related U.N. budget lines, bars U.S. participation/payments in U.N. bodies chaired by governments repeatedly determined to support terrorism, and revokes UNRWA personnel immunities.
Prohibits the United States from making any voluntary or involuntary contributions to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), to any successor or related entity, and to U.N. budget lines that support them. It also bars U.S. payments or State Department contributions to U.N. bodies chaired by governments the Secretary of State has repeatedly determined support international terrorism, and revokes diplomatic privileges, exemptions, and immunities for UNRWA personnel. The measure restricts federal funding and U.S. participation in specified U.N. activities tied to UNRWA or to U.N. entities chaired by governments with repeated terrorism determinations, and removes legal immunities from UNRWA officials, employees, and representatives under U.S. law and executive authority.