Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3131

Introduced
5/9/23  

Caption

To prohibit the use of funds to seek membership in the World Health Organization or to provide assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization.

Impact

If enacted, HB3131 would significantly impact U.S. participation in international health initiatives and organizations. The bill aims to reshape existing U.S. financial commitments and engagement strategies with the WHO, which could lead to disruptions in collaborative health efforts on a global scale. By restricting involvement unless stringent conditions are fulfilled, the bill could limit the United States' ability to address global health challenges in partnership with other nations. Additionally, the restrictions could send a strong message regarding U.S. foreign policy priorities and its stance on health governance.

Summary

House Bill 3131 aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for any activities related to the World Health Organization (WHO), specifically seeking U.S. membership or providing any form of financial contributions to the organization. The bill stipulates that the prohibition will remain in place until certain conditions are met, including reforms within the WHO to ensure that humanitarian efforts remain unpoliticized and are not influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential to reform international health organizations to prevent any undue influence from nations that may not share U.S. values.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate, particularly regarding its implications for U.S. foreign relations and public health. Critics argue that such stringent measures could isolate the U.S. in global health discussions and hinder necessary cooperation during public health crises, such as pandemics. Furthermore, the conditions outlined in the bill—such as the requirement for the WHO to cease discussions on topics like gender identity and climate change—reflect broader ideological disagreements within Congress about the role of health organizations in addressing social issues. Supporters of the bill, however, maintain that these reforms are crucial for maintaining U.S. sovereignty and ensuring that foreign aid and international health governance align with American values.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB343

No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act This bill prohibits the United States from providing any assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization.

US HB401

No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act This bill prohibits the United States from providing any assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization.

US SR81

World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty Implementation Resolution

US HB1519

Compensation for the Victims of State Misrepresentations to the World Health Organization Act of 2023

US HB3664

To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to the World Health Organization pending the conduct of an investigation relating to the influence over such organization by Chinese Communist Party, and for other purposes.

US HB2310

To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Department of State, International Organizations, Contributions to International Organizations for fiscal year 2024.

US HB79

WHO Withdrawal Act This bill requires the President to immediately withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and prohibits using any federal funds to provide for U.S. participation in the WHO. The bill also repeals the 1948 act authorizing the United States to join the WHO.

US HB334

Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act This bill makes membership in a significant transnational criminal organization a ground for inadmissibility into the United States and provides for criminal penalties against those that provide material support to such an organization. The bar against admission applies to a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who is a member of such an organization and such an individual's non-U.S. national spouse or child. The bar shall not apply to a spouse or child who (1) did not know, or should not reasonably have known, that the individual was a member of such an organization; or (2) has renounced the organization in question. The bill establishes statutory authority and procedures for the Department of Justice to designate an organization a significant transnational criminal organization. The Department of the Treasury may require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions involving assets belonging to such an organization. An individual who knowingly provides material support or resources to a significant transnational criminal organization (or attempts or conspires to do so) shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both. If the death of any person is the result, the offending individual may be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. A financial institution that becomes aware that it possesses or controls funds belonging to such an organization shall retain such funds and notify Treasury.

US HB494

Defund EcoHealth Alliance Act This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to EcoHealth Alliance, Inc (including any subsidiaries or related organizations). This is a nonprofit research organization that studies coronaviruses in bat populations and other environmental health concerns. The Government Accountability Office must also audit federal funds provided to that organization over the past decade. The audit must include the amount of those funds provided by EcoHealth Alliance to China, the Chinese Communist Party, or the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

US HB600

WHO is Accountable ActThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to seek U.S. membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), or to make contributions to the WHO, until the Department of State makes certain certifications to Congress.Specifically, these prohibitions shall apply until the State Department certifies that the WHO has met certain conditions, including that the WHO (1) has adopted reforms to ensure that humanitarian assistance is not politicized; (2) is not under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is not involved in a cover-up of the CCP's response to the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) has granted observer status to Taiwan; and (4) has ceased engagement on certain issues, such as climate change, access to abortion, and gender identity.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.