US $1.2tln bill examined: UN agencies funding cut, ‘Israel’ aid passed
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UN and other international organizations funded in the bill are told to assess and report on attempts to combat anti-"Israel" bias.
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President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, in Dallas. (AP)
The double standards continue to shine in the US Congress after it overwhelmingly passed a $1.2 trillion budget bill, which not only included a ban on UNRWA funding until 2025 and stopped funding the UN Commission of Inquiry against "Israel" but also funneled the money instead toward the annual US security commitment of $3.3 billion for "Israel's" weapon supplies.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz took to X to obviously praise the US for its decision.
"The historic ban on US funding to UNRWA that passed today with an overwhelming bipartisan support, demonstrates what we knew all along: UNRWA is part of the problem and can not be part of the solution. UNRWA will not be a part of Gaza's landscape in the aftermath of Hamas," he said.
The US decision to halt funding to @UNRWA is a clear vote of no confidence in @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) March 23, 2024
Under his leadership, UNRWA has become a terrorist arm of Hamas, with its employees involved in the horrific massacre on October 7.
Anyone who refuses to condemn…
"I urge more countries to follow the US and ban funding to this organization. Thank you @SpeakerJohnson, @RepJeffries @SenSchumer @LeaderMcConnell for your leadership and continued bipartisan support of Israel during our just war against Hamas murderous terrorist regime," he added.
The UN and other international organizations funded in the bill are told to assess and report on attempts to combat anti-"Israel" bias. To examine personnel for alleged connections to terrorist groups, the bill withholds funds from the UN Human Rights Council for what it calls anti-"Israel" actions.
New terms on any assistance to Gaza are also included in the bill, such as coordination with "Israel", prevention of diversion to the Palestinian Resistance, and a requirement for third-party monitoring, according to the House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee.
Many representatives did not view the bill positively as their peers.
"Despite the many good provisions included in the bill, I could not support the bill’s unconscionable elimination of humanitarian assistance for 2 million people facing imminent starvation and death because of Israel’s war against Hamas," Rep. Andre Carson posted Friday on X.
This bill prohibits funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) until March of 2025, while women and children are dying every day that we fail to provide food and medicine. (3/4)
— André Carson (@RepAndreCarson) March 22, 2024
Carson asserted he will be collaborating with colleagues to restore UNRWA funding and demand a permanent ceasefire.
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On X, Rep. Pramilia Jayapal said, "GOP dysfunction has led to a flawed budget process. They produced a bill that increases an already bloated Pentagon budget, promotes bad immigration policy, and cuts off funding to UNRWA, which is why I voted no on this funding bill."
GOP dysfunction has led to a flawed budget process. They produced a bill that increases an already bloated Pentagon budget, promotes bad immigration policy, and cuts off funding to UNRWA, which is why I voted no on this funding bill.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 22, 2024
My full statement: https://t.co/Ov29p9CdRJ
"The spending package included a provision to cut funding to UNRWA. We know this will likely mean a death sentence for 1.1 million people in Gaza facing imminent threats of famine. Voted NO," Rep. Ilan Omar said.
The spending package included a provision to cut funding to UNRWA.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 22, 2024
We know this will likely mean a death sentence for 1.1 million people in Gaza facing imminent threats of famine.
Voted NO.
Biden signed the bill to ensure the continued operations of crucial federal agencies as well, thereby averting a potential crippling government shutdown.
The matter is of significance as the bill represents the largest and most contentious portion of federal funding since 2021 when Congress approved a $2.3 trillion spending bill for the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
"The bipartisan funding bill I just signed keeps the government open, invests in the American people, and strengthens our economy and national security," Biden said in a White House statement.
Biden was quick to believe "Israel's" claims of UNRWA staff working with Hamas and yet took no time either to think that the billions and trillions going to "Israel" are the reason behind the murder of children in cold blood.
