Waiver of Restriction On Providing Funds To The Palestinian Authority

President Obama waived a statutory restriction to allow U.S. funds to be provided to the Palestinian Authority, certifying it was important to national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit this determination to Congress with a required report and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 41787

Impact dates

Date TBD
Report to Congress pursuant to section 7040(d) of the Act

Key directives

Waive provisions of section 7040(a) of the Act to provide funds to Palestinian Authority
Transmit determination to Congress with report pursuant to section 7040(d)
Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Waiver takes effect upon signing, permitting funds to flow to Palestinian Authority
Secretary of State directed to transmit determination to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Report pursuant to section 7040(d) of the Act to be submitted to Congress

Long term

Continued U.S. foreign assistance to Palestinian Authority contingent on ongoing presidential certifications

Risks & tensions

Statutory waiver mechanism reflects tension between congressional restrictions on aid and executive foreign policy prerogatives
Aid to Palestinian Authority historically contentious in U.S. domestic politics
Section 7040(d) report requirements suggest congressional oversight intent; timing of report not specified in text