In a bipartisan appeal, 40 Members of Congress have called on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security and Department of State to fully fund U.S. commitments to the United Nations in the FY2026 budget — and to finally lift the “arbitrary” cap on U.S. peacekeeping contributions.
“The UN continues to serve as a critical force-multiplier for the United States,” lawmakers wrote, “helping to make America stronger, safer and more prosperous with the support of international partners.”
Their request includes:
- $1.741 billion for Contributions to International Organizations (CIO)
- $1.481 billion for Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA)
- $444 million for Peacekeeping Operations (PKO)
- A waiver of the 25% cap on U.S. peacekeeping contributions
Learn more about U.S. contributions to the UN budget.
The group is clear: “Disastrous cuts in foreign assistance to UN agencies have undermined humanitarian responses around the world and endangered countless lives.”
In contrast, they underscore how multilateral investments are now paying dividends, for example, in the fight against opioids. “Over the past year alone, overdose deaths in the U.S. have dropped by over 25%, in part due to these types of international control efforts.” That includes coordination through the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to disrupt fentanyl trafficking.
WHO, Ukraine and U.S. Lives Saved
The lawmakers warn that failing to pay our UN dues would jeopardize core global health and nuclear safety efforts, notably led by the World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“WHO helps detect, track, treat and prevent outbreaks of infectious disease… before they reach U.S. shores and threaten American lives.”
Meanwhile, IAEA is on the ground in Ukraine monitoring nuclear safety, and serving as “the international community’s eyes and ears on Iran’s nuclear program.”
Peacekeeping: High Impact, Low Cost
Thanks to UN peacekeeping, the U.S. pays a fraction of the cost for global security, they write. “Successive Government Accountability Office reports have found UN peacekeeping operations to be one-eighth the cost to American taxpayers of deploying U.S. troops.”
And yet, due to the outdated 25% cap, the U.S. is falling behind. “Our arrears, which exceed $1 billion, undercut our efforts promoting a reform agenda at the UN.”
Warning: China Is Gaining Ground
“The People’s Republic of China is the second largest financial contributor to the UN… and is leveraging these contributions to push peacekeeping in a direction that more closely aligns with its own interests and worldview at our expense.”
For many lawmakers, this is unacceptable.
We agree — and urge other Members of Congress to join in supporting America’s global leadership.
Download the full text of the letter and a list of signatories.
