Washington, DC (June 22, 2023) – The House FY 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related programs Appropriations bill undermines America’s national security at a time when U.S. leadership on global issues has never been more important. For the first time, the bill would eliminate all funding for the UN regular budget, ceding U.S. leadership to global competitors like China while emboldening state actors like Russia, whose unprovoked war on neighboring Ukraine has led to the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians and the displacement of millions more.
The account that funds international organizations – including agencies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has deployed teams of monitors to ensure the safety and security of multiple nuclear power plants in Ukraine – was cut 82% from last year’s enacted levels. In addition, U.S. contributions to the UN Peacekeeping budget were cut over $200 million from last year’s levels, at time when the U.S. is already underfunding operations and is over $1.2 billion in arrears at the UN.
“By removing funding for the UN, this bill would cause untold suffering, endanger allies, and create a leadership vacuum at the UN that China and Russia would be very happy to fill. We need a world that’s more secure, not less, and U.S. leadership is critical to that effort,” said Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign.
The bill would also drastically reduce or eliminate contributions to entities like the World Health Organization, the UN Development Program, UNESCO, the Green Climate Fund, UN Women, UNFPA and more, which have long records of success around the world and are aligned with American values and interests.
We urge the full House and Senate to restore the funding that has kept our country secure for generations and has improved the lives of millions of people throughout the world.
Media Contact:
Kathryn Kross | kkross@unfoundation.org | 202-862-8577
