State Department officials are reviewing a last-minute decision by the Obama administration to send $221 million to the Palestinians just hours before President Trump took office, Fox News reported.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry had officially notified Congress that his department would release the money last Friday morning, according to the news network. Congress had approved the funding, but some lawmakers had placed holds on it, Fox News reported.
Congressional holds are generally respected by the White House, but are not legally binding.
"I am deeply disappointed that President Obama defied congressional oversight and released $221 million to the Palestinian territories," Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, said. "I worked to make sure that no American taxpayer dollars would fund the Palestinian Authority unless very strict conditions were met. The Obama Administration’s decision to release these funds was inappropriate."
The Palestinian money is earmarked to fund humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza, to support political and security reforms and prepare for good governance in a future Palestinian state, Fox News reported, citing the notification sent to Congress.
And the news network noted the funding is likely to draw anger from the White House since President Trump has pledged his support for Israel.
USA Today reported the State Department will look at the money to see how it meshes with the policies of the Trump administration.
"The Department of State is currently reviewing last minute spending approved by the previous administration and will make adjustments if needed to ensure that it aligns with the priorities of the Trump-Pence administration," spokesman Mark Toner said.
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