Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB343

Introduced
1/12/23  

Caption

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.

Impact

Should this bill be enacted, it would directly impact the financial relationship between the United States and the WHO, effectively ending U.S. contributions. This change could alter the United States' influence within the WHO and its ability to participate in global health initiatives. Proponents of the bill argue that U.S. funding should be redirected to domestic health initiatives instead, emphasizing the need for financial accountability and prioritizing national interests over international commitments. Critics, however, may contend that such a move could undermine global health efforts and limit the U.S.'s role in promoting health security worldwide.

Summary

House Bill 343, titled the 'No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act', seeks to prohibit any monetary contributions—both assessed and voluntary—from the United States to the World Health Organization (WHO). This bill emerged amidst a growing sentiment among certain legislators expressing concerns about the allocation of taxpayer money to international organizations, particularly in light of how these organizations are perceived to handle issues such as global health management and response to pandemics. The proposed legislation aims to limit financial contributions from the U.S. to the WHO, reflecting a broader trend focusing on national sovereignty and accountability in government spending.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB 343 are likely to spark considerable debate among lawmakers and health advocates, with notable contention over the implications of cutting funds to an organization like the WHO. Opponents of the bill may argue that withdrawing support could harm efforts to combat diseases that do not respect national borders and could lead to weaker collaborative responses to future pandemics. Furthermore, this proposal invites a broader dialogue about the balance of domestic priorities versus international obligations and how best to allocate taxpayer resources in a way that fosters both public health and national accountability.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

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 HB3131

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.

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 HB1519

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

US SR81

World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty Implementation Resolution

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 HB436

No Taxpayer Funding for the U.N. Population Fund This bill prohibits the use of funds to provide contributions directly or indirectly to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA is a United Nations agency that supports access to sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, maternal health care, and sexuality education.

US SB56

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act This bill allows individual and corporate taxpayers a tax credit for cash contributions to certain scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations. It imposes a cap of $10 billion on the sum of contributions that qualify for a tax credit under this bill. The bill requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Departments of the Treasury and Labor, to establish, host, and maintain a web portal that (1) lists all eligible scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations; (2) enables contributions to such organizations; (3) provides information about the benefits of this bill; and (4) enables a state to submit and update information about its programs and educational organizations, including information on student eligibility and allowable educational expenses.

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 HB54

WHO Withdrawal ActThis 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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.