House of Representatives Speaker Secures Prohibition on Funding for UN Relief Program
House of Representatives Speaker and Republican Mike Johnson informed GOP lawmakers about the successful prohibition on funding for a United Nations relief program for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) until March 2025.
Overview of the Spending Package
Leaders of the United States Congress are pushing for a $1.2 trillion spending package to be approved before the funding deadline on Friday, aiming to keep the US government funded through September and avoid a partial shutdown.
Key Provisions in the Bill
- Prohibition on funding for UNRWA extended through March 2025
- Funding for additional detention beds for migrants awaiting immigration proceedings
- Six per cent cut to foreign aid programs
- Measure preventing embassies from flying gay or transgender pride flags
- Creation of 12,000 new special visas for US Afghanistan workers
- One-year reauthorization of PEPFAR program
- Funding boosts for federal child care and education programs
Debate and Voting Process
Congress is currently divided on the bill, with efforts to fund various government agencies ongoing. House Republicans aim to vote on the bill soon, allowing the Senate limited time to meet the deadline. President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders support the agreement and anticipate its passage.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed optimism for bipartisan cooperation to avoid a government shutdown.