Stand with Israel Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1521
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-08T11:03:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Stand with Israel Act" (S. 1521) aims to protect Israel's equal participation in the United Nations (UN) by prohibiting U.S. financial contributions to the UN or its related entities if they discriminate against Israel through actions like expulsion, membership downgrading, suspension, or other restrictions that prevent Israel's full and equivalent involvement compared to other member states.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: Adds a new Section 13 to the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.).
- Funding Prohibition: No U.S. funds allocated to the Department of State or any other federal department or agency can be used for contributions to the UN, its funds, programs, specialized agencies (e.g., organizations like the World Health Organization), or other related entities if those entities take discriminatory actions against Israel.
- Scope of Discrimination: Covers actions that expel, downgrade, suspend Israel's membership, or otherwise limit its participation to less than that of other member states.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a specific funding restriction tied to Israel's treatment, which was not previously outlined in the United Nations Participation Act of 1945.
- Shifts from general U.S. support for UN participation to a conditional approach, making U.S. contributions contingent on non-discrimination against a single country (Israel).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of State and other federal entities may need to withhold or redirect UN funding, potentially complicating budget allocations and diplomatic reporting requirements.
- On Citizens: Limited direct impact on U.S. citizens, but could indirectly affect international aid programs or global initiatives funded through the UN that U.S. taxpayers support.
- On International Relations: May strain U.S.-UN relations by pressuring the UN to maintain Israel's equal status, potentially leading to reduced U.S. influence in UN bodies or retaliatory actions from other member states; bolsters U.S.-Israel alliance by signaling strong support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Primarily the Department of State and Congress, responsible for foreign aid and UN contributions.
- United Nations and Affiliates: The UN Secretariat, funds (e.g., UNICEF), programs (e.g., UN Development Programme), and specialized agencies, which rely on U.S. funding (the U.S. is the largest contributor, providing about 22% of the UN's budget).
- Israel: Benefits from protected status, enhancing its diplomatic standing and participation rights.
- Other UN Member States: Could face indirect effects if U.S. funding cuts disrupt UN operations, particularly those critical of Israel's policies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a clear statutory prohibition on funding, enforceable through federal budgeting processes; may require administrative mechanisms (e.g., audits or certifications) to monitor UN actions for compliance.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) to control appropriations, but could raise questions about executive branch flexibility in foreign affairs (potentially conflicting with treaty obligations under the UN Charter).
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan congressional support for Israel (introduced by multiple senators across parties); may influence U.S. foreign policy debates on multilateralism versus unilateral actions, and heighten tensions in international forums addressing Middle East issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (26)
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-30: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-04-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Stand with Israel Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (2 pages)