Christopher Smith (R-NJ)
Stop Support for UNRWA Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 10 Republican cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the "Stop Support for United Nations Relief and Works Agency Act of 2026." It aims to prohibit the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA. The legislation includes a rule of construction regarding humanitarian assistance. It allows for assistance to be provided through agencies or entities other than UNRWA. However, the Secretary of State must certify to Congress that these other entities do not promote or affiliate with terrorism, violence, or antisemitism.
Yes
- Scored +1
Does this put more money into stopping terrorism?
The bill aims to prevent funding from reaching entities affiliated with terrorism.
- Scored +1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill reduces federal spending by cutting contributions to UNRWA.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The removal of UNRWA funding may negatively impact humanitarian aid for low-income refugee populations.
- Scored -5
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill reduces overall foreign aid by cutting funding to UNRWA.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection of Humanitarian Standards: The bill allows for the provision of humanitarian assistance to individuals or entities through alternative agencies or entities rather than UNRWA (Section 2(b)). This ensures that aid can still be provided as long as the Secretary of State certifies that the receiving agencies do not promote violence, terrorism, or antisemitism (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Funding to UNRWA: The United States is prohibited from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The removal of UNRWA funding may negatively impact humanitarian aid for low-income refugee populations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this put more money into stopping terrorism? — The bill aims to prevent funding from reaching entities affiliated with terrorism. Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill reduces overall foreign aid by cutting funding to UNRWA.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reduces federal spending by cutting contributions to UNRWA.
- 7/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Andy BarrRepublican · Kentucky
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Darrell IssaRepublican · California
Young KimRepublican · California
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina