First appearance on Fox: A group of House Republicans is pushing to completely block U.S. funding for the World Health Organization (WHO).
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), policy chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, introduced the bill on Tuesday, saying global health organizations “do not serve our interests and are not entitled to our money.” None,” he claimed.
He also attacked current efforts by WHO member states to draft an international pandemic preparedness treaty, accusing the organization of seeking to consolidate and further expand its influence.
“Taking money from hard-working families suffering in the aftermath of Biden's inflation crisis and sending it to leftist 'public health' tyrants in Geneva is unacceptable,” Roy told Fox News Digital.
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World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke to the media about the coronavirus disease 2021 (COVID-19). ((Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone, via AP))
“While we are confident that President Trump will defund the WHO as he did last time, this bill will make it impossible for a future administration to restart the WHO.”
At least a dozen Republicans support the bill.
A significant number of Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, have criticized the WHO, especially in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is seen outside the Capitol on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after casting his last vote before the August recess. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
President Trump announced during his first term in April 2020 that he would cut funding to the WHO, a move that drew backlash from the U.S. medical community, Politico reported at the time.
“Fighting a global pandemic requires international cooperation and reliance on science and data,” said Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association. told the outlet.
But conservatives in Congress see the organization as a power-hungry group that does not have America's interests in mind.
According to the World Population Review, the United States is currently the largest contributor to the WHO. The group's website states that 60% of its funding comes from member countries.
Roy's “No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act” would halt all donations to the WHO, both committed funds and other voluntary funds.
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When asked for comment on Roy's bill, a WHO spokesperson said the organization was focused on maintaining its relationship with the United States.
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“WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in December that the new US administration has not yet taken office and, like any new government, it needs time to take office. Dr. Tedros said: “WHO remains committed to working with the next US administration to continue to strengthen global health security.”
“I would like to add that the WHO-U.S. partnership, and the U.S. contribution to broader global health security, has protected and saved millions of lives in the United States and around the world. We attach great importance to it and are committed to maintaining and strengthening it.'' “
