The legislation passed in a 286-134 vote, facing opposition from 112 Republicans and only 23 Democrats. Nearly all Democratic dissenters belong to the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it must clear a vote before the end of the day to prevent a partial government shutdown.
House Passes Spending Bill Blocking UNRWA Funds and Boosting Israel Aid
A sharp political divide emerged in the House on Friday as lawmakers approved a 1,012-page spending package that funnels $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel while simultaneously cutting off support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for at least one year.
Critics of the measure, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, argued that the funding prohibition is irresponsible given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The U.S. suspended contributions to UNRWA in January following unsubstantiated Israeli allegations that some agency employees participated in the October 7 attacks. While other nations like Canada and Finland have resumed funding, the U.S. ban remains in effect through March 2025. Beyond the UNRWA freeze, the bill also blocks funding for a UN commission currently investigating potential war crimes in the region, a move that advocates say deepens American complicity in the ongoing conflict.
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