The Obama administration quietly released $221 million to the Palestinian Authority in the final hours of Barack Obama's presidency. State department officials formally informed the Congress on Friday morning that the outgoing administration would release the money. The Obama administration advocated for the release of the money for the Palestinian Authority for some time, despite Republican opposition. The money comes from the U.S. Agency for International Development and is intended for humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza. The administration also released $4 million for climate change programs and $1.25 million for U.N. organizations.