US quietly sent $221M to Palestinians in Obama's last hours.

[zenkai]

Source

Officials said Monday that the Obama administration-- in its waning hours-- defied Republican opposition and quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority that GOP members of Congress had been blocking.

A State Department official and several congressional aides told The Associated Press that the outgoing administration formally notified Congress it would spend the money Friday morning.

The official said former Secretary of State John Kerry had informed some lawmakers of the move shortly before he left the State Department for the last time Thursday.

The aides said written notification dated Jan. 20 was sent to Congress just hours before Donald Trump took the oath of office.

In addition to the $221 million for the Palestinians, the Obama administration also told Congress on Friday it was going ahead with the release of another $6 million in foreign affairs spending, including $4 million for climate change programs and $1.25 million for U.N. organizations, the congressional aides said.

The aides and the State Department official weren't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.

Congress had initially approved the Palestinian funding in budget years 2015 and 2016, but at least two GOP lawmakers — Ed Royce of California, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Kay Granger of Texas, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee — had placed holds on it over moves the Palestinian Authority had taken to seek membership in international organizations.

Congressional holds are generally respected by the executive branch but are not legally binding after funds have been allocated.

The Obama administration had for some time been pressing for the release of the money for the Palestinian Authority, which comes from the U.S.

Agency for International Development and is to be used for humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza, to support political and security reforms as well as help prepare for good governance and the rule of law in a future Palestinian state, according to the notification sent to Congress.

The Palestinian funding is likely to draw anger from some in Congress as well as the Trump White House. Trump has vowed to be a strong supporter of Israel and has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Washington next month.

Some of Trump’s incoming administration has been split on whether to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

The Washington Post noted that most of the world doesn’t recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. East Jerusalem is also considered “occupied territory,” which Palestinians hope to call their capital if a two-state solution is ever reached.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Trump’s U.N. ambassador, said Wednesday that she would back the embassy move, while Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee retired Marine Gen. James Mattis said he would “stick to U.S. policy” regarding Jerusalem.

Trump’s next ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, supports Israeli settlements and other changes to U.S. policies in the region.

Friedman said he looked forward to carrying out his duties from "the U.S. embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem," even though the embassy is in Tel Aviv. Trump advisers have said that the president-elect will follow through on his call for moving the embassy.

Wonder how President Trump will react to this, probably a rant on twitter and that's about it.

[Cyberowl]

Congress had initially approved the Palestinian funding in budget years 2015 and 2016, but at least two GOP lawmakers — Ed Royce of California, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Kay Granger of Texas, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee — had placed holds on it over moves the Palestinian Authority had taken to seek membership in international organizations.

Congressional holds are generally respected by the executive branch but are not legally binding after funds have been allocated.

Next time just highlight Obama defies Congress, Mr. Independent Voter.

[Machismo]

I'm not a big fan of foreign aid to pretty much anyone. I would much prefer that the blockades on Palestine stop, and they be allowed to succeed or fail on their own as a country.

[Deleted]

Sending money to a terrorist group waging war on one of our allies.

Stay classy, but be gone, Obama.

[Machismo]

Sending money to a terrorist group waging war on one of our allies.

Stay classy, but be gone, Obama.

Is the Palestinian Authority a terrorist group?

[Deleted]

Is the Palestinian Authority a terrorist group?

Of course they are.

[Machismo]

Of course they are.

What would your definition of a terrorist group be? The State Department doesn't seem to think so.

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

[stealthwill]

People know that Congress is in charge of sending money right? Not the president...

[Machismo]

People know that Congress is in charge of sending money right? Not the president...

Congress already agreed to give them that money.

[Orbitus]

Congress already agreed to give them that money.

But Zenkai apparently doesn't. But then again, this isn't the first time he has been wrong.

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Congress already agreed to give them that money.

But Zenkai apparently doesn't know this. But then again, this isn't the first time he has been wrong.

[paralleluniverse]

Headline: Obama Administration Spends Money Authorized By Congress.

Btw, for the people who don't know how this stuff works, Congress controls the purse string completely. The administration can only spend money that has already passed Congress. There is nothing dodgy about this.

[Machismo]

But Zenkai apparently doesn't. But then again, this isn't the first time he has been wrong.

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But Zenkai apparently doesn't know this. But then again, this isn't the first time he has been wrong.

Zenkai never actually said Congress didn't approve it. It was mentioned in the post that they had approved it, which basically makes this a non-story.

[TZucchini]

Sending money to a terrorist group waging war on one of our allies.

Stay classy, but be gone, Obama.

The President doesn't have the power to allocate funding. If you disagree with these actions, you should be blaming Congress.

[Enthusiastic Steward]

The President doesn't have the power to allocate funding. If you disagree with these actions, you should be blaming Congress.

But that's not the narrative I want to pursue!

[Ghostpanther]

The President doesn't have the power to allocate funding. If you disagree with these actions, you should be blaming Congress.

You are right to the extent Congress is also to be blamed. But Obama is not without some blame also. But be what it is, one of the best things about the Inauguration was watching the helicopter carrying Obama flying away from the WH.

[Orbitus]

Zenkai never actually said Congress didn't approve it. It was mentioned in the post that they had approved it, which basically makes this a non-story.

But he is trying to say this is a bad thing that Obama did. Even thought we have basically been funding the real douches of the scenario that is going on between Israel and Palestine.

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You are right to the extent Congress is also to be blamed. But Obama is not without some blame also. But be what it is, one of the best things about the Inauguration was watching the helicopter carrying Obama flying away from the WH.

How is Obama to blame for this at all? Sure he signed the bill that gave them the money, but he gave the money to the Israelis that are doing the invading with their illegal settlements.

[Flarelaine]

Congressional holds are generally respected by the executive branch but are not legally binding after funds have been allocated.

Do or do not congressional holds expire with the mandate of Congress? Technically, there is a different Congress right now.

[Belize]

Sending money to a terrorist group waging war on one of our allies.

Stay classy, but be gone, Obama.

Congress approved it?

[Machismo]

But he is trying to say this is a bad thing that Obama did. Even thought we have basically been funding the real douches of the scenario that is going on between Israel and Palestine.

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How is Obama to blame for this at all? Sure he signed the bill that gave them the money, but he gave the money to the Israelis that are doing the invading with their illegal settlements.

Zenkai never actually mentioned Obama. That may have been what he was hinting with the title, but he never actually said anything like it. Other people in the thread did blame Obama.

[TZucchini]

Does everyone know what other actions Obama pursued in his final days? Ones that he was directly responsible for? Give up?

He sent B-2 Stealth bombers into Libya and destroyed ISIS training camps. You know. The same B-2 Stealth Bombers that have only been used 4 other times in America's history.

So weak on terror though! Hope Trump saves us!