US lawmakers launch effort to withdraw country from UN

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to withdraw the U.S. from the United Nations, according to a document published on the website of one of the sponsors, Sen. Mike Lee.

“The President will terminate U.S. membership in the United Nations and all its bodies, agencies, commissions, and other officially affiliated entities,” the legislation states.

The proposed legislation includes the following provisions:

• Cessation of funding for the U.N. and its agencies;
• Prohibition of re-entry into the organization without Senate approval;
• Refusal of the country from participating in U.N. peacekeeping missions.

Speaking to Fox News, Sen. Lee argued that the U.N. “has devolved into a platform for tyrants and a venue to attack America and her allies.” He called for an end to U.S. funding, claiming that the organization “has enjoyed American tax money while often undermining our interests, attacking our allies and bolstering our adversaries.”

Lee also questioned the effectiveness of the U.N., noting that despite years of attention and financial support, it has failed to prevent wars, human rights violations, and pandemics. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over inefficiency, political bias, and excessive financial demands on the U.S.