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U.S. Policy, International Organizations IO):Congressional Priorit ies and Areas of Concern

January 15, 2014

Today, the House of Representatives begins consideration of H.R. 3547- the

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (House Amendment to Senate Amendment) --

a $1 trillion bill allocating spending for the broad spectrum of federal agencies and

programs.

The deadline for action to avoid a government shutdown was originally today,

January 15th. However, the House approved a three-day funding extension yesterday

to enable Members of both legislative chambers to debate and vote on the omnibus.

To assist policy makers and other parties interested in the foreign policy-related

provisions in the bill, Poblete Analysis Group analysts have reviewed allocations and

prescriptive language pertaining to key regions and accounts in the 1,582-page bill,

and have summarized in an easily referenced format.

An intense battle over funding for the United Nations Scientific, Educational,

and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) preceded the announcement of the spending bill

agreement. Select Senators sought to amend current law by providing a waiver for

U.S. funds to flow to UNESCO for it to administer the World Heritage program and

sites. Funding was cut-off in October 2011 when UNESCO granted the PLO/PA full

membership and standing as a nation state.

Ultimately, the omnibus spending bill: does not include funds for an assessed

contribution to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO), which is prohibited due to the application of Public Law 101-246 and Public

Law 103-236.

International Organizations Omnibus highlights include:

Allocates $1.265762 billion for U.S. assessed contributions to the United Nations(UN) and other international organizations

Requires the State Dept. to report to the appropriations committees any creditsavailable to the U.S. from international organizations, including from the UN Tax

Equalization Fund (TEF), and to provide updated FY 2015 assessment costs,

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including offsets from available TEF credits and updated foreign currency

exchange rates

Allocates $344.02 million for U.S. voluntary contributions to the UN and otherinternational organizations, including up to $10 million for the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change/UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Allocates $1.765519 billion for U.S. assessed contributions to UN and other

international peacekeeping activities

Restricts 15 percent of funds allocated for voluntary contributions to the UN orUN agencies or to the Organization of American States unless the Secretary of

State reports to Congress that the respective agency is taking a number of steps

to ensure transparency and accountability. The Secretary of State may waive

this restriction on a case-by-case basis if he determines and reports to Congress

that doing so is important to U.S. national interests

Conditions assistance to the UN Human Rights Council on the Secretary of Statereporting to Congress that U.S. participation in the Council is in the U.S. nationalinterest and reports on the resolutions considered in the Council in the past 12

months and on steps taken to remove Israel as a permanent agenda item of the

Council

Maintains existing reporting requirements regarding assistance to the UN Reliefand Works Agency (UNRWA)

Prohibits funding for the design, renovation, or construction of the UNHeadquarters in New York

Allocates $35 million for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and such fundscannot be used for a country program in China, and can be used on conditionthat UNFPA maintains those funds in a separate account and that UNFPA does

not fund abortions

If you would like additional information based on your specific policy, analytical,

or commercial needs, please contact our office.