State Department spokesman Matthew Miller speaks to reporters during the daily press briefing in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 2024. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"We have to plan to be prudent to make sure there is no suspension of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people because we know that they desperately need it, and we are committed to delivering it," Miller added.
If the U.S. lifts its pause, just $300,000 in funding would remain allocated for UNRWA, and any additional funding for the relief agency would need to be approved by Congress. As UNRWA's largest donor, the U.S. usually contributes between $300-$400 million annually, Reuters reported. UNRWA employs more than 13,000 people in Gaza.
Protesters hold signs and flags in front of the UNRWA office in Jerusalem calling for the expulsion of the agency's office, on Feb. 5, 2024. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)
During the pause, the Biden administration has been exploring alternative organizations, such as UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP), to continue giving aid.
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Last month, the Senate passed a controversial $95 billion national security supplemental package to assist Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific. It contains a provision that would block funding from going to UNRWA. House Republican leadership have so far resisted pressure to bring the package to a floor vote.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-preparing-case-congress-makes-unrwa-funding-pause-permanent