Global health agency on chopping block as Republicans threaten to cut off funds
A group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is making a bold move to completely block U.S. funding for the World Health Organization (WHO). Roy, who serves as the policy chair for the conservative House Freedom Caucus, introduced a bill on Tuesday arguing that the WHO “doesn’t serve our interests and doesn’t deserve our money.”
Roy criticized the WHO member countries’ efforts to draft an international pandemic preparedness treaty, accusing the organization of trying to consolidate and expand its influence. He stated, “Taking money from hardworking families struggling with the aftermath of Biden’s inflation crisis to send it to a bunch of leftist ‘public health’ tyrants in Geneva is unacceptable.”
At least a dozen GOP lawmakers have thrown their support behind Roy’s bill. Many Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have been vocal critics of the WHO, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump had halted funding to the WHO during his first term in April 2020, a decision that drew backlash from the U.S. medical community.
The U.S. currently stands as the largest contributor to the WHO, with 60% of the organization’s funding coming from member states. Roy’s proposed legislation, titled the “No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act,” seeks to halt all contributions to the WHO, including committed and voluntary funding.
In response to Roy’s bill, a spokesperson for the WHO emphasized the organization’s commitment to maintaining its relationship with the U.S. The WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the importance of cooperation with the incoming U.S. administration to strengthen global health security.
While the WHO values its partnership with the U.S. and acknowledges America’s significant contribution to global health security, Roy and his supporters remain steadfast in their stance against funding the organization. Their efforts reflect a growing sentiment among conservatives in Congress who view the WHO as a power-hungry entity that does not prioritize U.S. interests.
As the debate over U.S. funding for the WHO continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration and Congress will navigate this contentious issue. The outcome will have significant implications for global health cooperation and the future of international relations in the realm of public health.
