Progressive Democrats in the House have expressed strong opposition to a section of the newly revealed $1.2 trillion spending package that proposes to suspend funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This agency plays a critical role in providing essential services such as food, water, and shelter to Palestinians in Gaza. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized the funding cut as “highly political” and “unconscionable,” questioning the rationale behind the decision.
The Biden administration’s temporary cessation of UNRWA funding, supported by Republican insistence, stems from allegations of involvement by some UNRWA employees in a Hamas attack on Israel. However, Democrats argue that the individuals allegedly involved represent a tiny fraction of UNRWA’s workforce and that the agency is crucial for addressing the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
The suspension of UNRWA funding until March 2025, which would significantly reduce the agency’s budget, became a contentious issue in the spending bill negotiations. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), along with other progressives, have voiced their discontent, highlighting UNRWA’s importance in providing humanitarian aid in Gaza and the dire situation requiring immediate attention. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) emphasized the moral implications, stating he would vote against a bill that denies aid to starving children in Gaza, framing it as a fundamental test of American values. This discord among House Democrats comes as Congress prepares to vote on the spending package, a crucial step to prevent a partial government shutdown.
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