Title
H.R. 2855: Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014
Note
The GOP-controlled House is attempting to introduce limits on taxpayer dollars to the UN in light of the organization's serious shortfalls. The House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2014 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which includes funding for UN-related activities.
Among other things, the GOP-sponsored bill
· Limits funding if the U.S. government is not given full access to all audits of the UN.
· Denies funding for any UN specialized agency, body or commission within the UN system that is chaired by a country that supports international terrorism.
· Denies funding in support of the UN Human Rights Council "unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that participation in the Council is in the national security interest of the United States and that the Council is taking steps to remove Israel as a permanent agenda item: Provided, That such report shall include a justification for making the determination and a description of the steps taken to remove Israel as a permanent agenda item."
· Denies funding to the Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, unless "the Secretary of State determines and reports...that UNRWA is" – a among other things – "using curriculum materials in UNRWA-supported schools and summer camps designed to promote tolerance, non-violent conflict resolution, and human rights." A waiver here is allowed if "necessary to avert a humanitarian crisis."
· Denies additional funding "for the design, renovation, or construction of the United Nations Headquarters in New York."
Concerning Palestinian UN-related moves, the bill denies funds to the Palestinian Authority if:
· the Palestinians obtain the same standing as member states or full membership as a state in the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof outside an agreement negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians
· the Palestinians request, petition, apply, refer, or actively support an investigation or prosecution of Israeli nationals before the International Criminal Court.