Waiver of Restrictions on Providing Funds to the Palestinian Authority

President Bush waived statutory restrictions under section 550(a) of the 2005 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act to allow direct U.S. assistance funds to flow to the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Finance for new projects in Gaza, citing national security interests. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit this determination to Congress with a required report and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 42251

Impact dates

Date TBD
Transmit determination and report to Congress under section 550(d)

Key directives

Waive section 550(a) restrictions to allow direct funds to Palestinian Authority Ministry of Finance
Transmit determination to Congress with section 550(d) report
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Waiver of section 550(a) restrictions takes effect upon certification
Funds become available for direct assistance to Palestinian Authority

Near term (90d)

Secretary of State to transmit determination and report to Congress
Federal Register publication

Long term

Potential ongoing U.S. financial assistance for Gaza projects subject to further congressional appropriations and presidential determinations

Risks & tensions

Balances congressional restrictions on aid to Palestinian Authority against asserted national security interests
Direct assistance to Palestinian Authority historically contentious in U.S. politics; bypasses normal prohibitions
Section 550(d) reporting requirement suggests congressional oversight tension