H.R. 9893 - Stop Support for UNRWA Act of 2026
H.R. 9893 was introduced on July 23rd, 2026, by Rep. Chris H. Smith (R-NJ). It is currently pending before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and has nine co-sponsors on a partyline basis.
Related legislation: S. 4295
Bill Summary: H.R. 9893 seeks to forbid “any voluntary or assessed contributions” to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The bill codifies the UNRWA portion of Executive Order 14199, cutting off funding to the organization while permitting the U.S. to provide funds “to individuals or entities that receive assistance from the UNRWA through agencies or entities other than the UNRWA.” However, it also stipulates that, prior to the provision of any such financial support, the Secretary of State has to explicitly certify that the body in question does “not promote, espouse, or affiliate with entities or individuals that promote violence, terrorism, or antisemitism (as such term is defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism), or employ individuals who do the same.”
Context: H.R. 9893 establishes the ban on American support for UNRWA as law, rendering the demolition of a fundamental pipeline of humanitarian aid to Palestinians throughout the Middle East permanent. In his press release promoting the legislation, the bill’s author “justified” this catastrophe with the unsubstantiated claim that the group is actively engaged in the deliberate spreading of anti-Jewish hatred. Instead, the truth is that UNRWA has repeatedly demonstrated its devotion to a workforce free of antisemitism, and has opened numerous investigations in response to accusations of employee support for terrorism only to find them rooted in reprehensible and damaging lies. By relying on the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism, the bill essentially forbids the Secretary of State from providing financial assistance to any humanitarian organization that speaks critically of Israel. Finally, by mandating that the Secretary certify every individual assistance program, the legislation delays the distribution of essential resources and inherently politicizes funding that, quite literally, saves lives.
American Values Analysis: The United States has spearheaded numerous humanitarian efforts, benefiting the world and bolstering our reputation abroad; by permanently illegalizing the provision of assistance to UNRWA, H.R. 9893 contradicts these aims and beliefs, thereby directly violating the U.S.’ values.
American Interest Analysis: H.R. 9893 damages the U.S.’ reputation globally and supports actions that have historically contributed to the failure of humanitarian assistance programs, such as GHF. Additionally, by employing the IHRA’s definitions, the legislation labels criticism of Israel as antisemitism and conditions the provision of U.S. aid and resources on staying silent when it comes to concerns about Israel’s conduct. In short, this bill is in undisputed opposition to the interests of the American people.
A New Policy’s Recommendation: OPPOSE
H.R. 9893 eliminates U.S. support for the most direct distributor of aid to struggling Palestinians in the Middle East; furthermore, the legislation frames humanitarian assistance as a partisan weapon, effectively turning human lives into a political “stick.” It is yet another attempt to cut off aid to an organization that strives to save lives, and, as such, A New Policy stands firmly against it.
For more information please contact: Josh Paul at (202) 770-0055 or info@anewpolicy.org.
