Exit the WHO, Take 2!
How many lawmakers can we wake up?
Our Stand: At-A-Glance
- America could possibly give up sovereignty next month at the WHO meetings, yet HR79 still lacks the urgency needed to pass Congress. It’s not time to give up, it’s time to show up.
- Votes on the pandemic treaty and amendments to the IHR are scheduled for the 77th World Health Assembly during the last week of May 2024.
- Many in Congress still do not see that the WHO is poised to be the center of a global health architecture, and the Biden administration is full steam ahead on those plans.
- Congress has a duty to protect U.S. citizens by checking the actions of presidents when they overstep the Constitution.
- The pandemic treaty and IHR amendments are both aimed at imposing global priorities on U.S. states.
- Cosponsoring slowed once the Congress got locked up in the gridlock of months of negotiations to pass the 2024 federal budget.
- Now the budget has passed and Congress needs to be reminded of priority bills!
Why haven’t some lawmakers signed on?
- Fear: Some lawmakers are afraid that leaving the WHO means the U.S. won‘t have a seat at the table of world health. This is fear talking. These people need to be reminded that the U.S. sets policy and other countries follow. There are many other forums where the U.S. talks global health with other countries outside of the WHO, such as the G20 health ministry.
- Funding: Many think that “defunding” the WHO is the right answer. But funds change with administrations, and approximately 80% of the WHO’s funding comes from private donors, so withdrawing U.S. funds isn’t enough.
- Futility: Some lawmakers have said there’s no point in signing on because it won’t pass. But HR79 does not need to pass to have an effect!
- The WHO’s greatest power comes from silence and hiding the ball. The more lawmakers who wake up to this threat to our Constitution, the more attention it will get and the more likely it will shrivel in the light.
- Signing on is also a strong way for candidates to show voters where they stand in this critical year. It’s not uncommon for a lawmaker to cosponsor a bill just for the showing of solidarity and the courage to take a stand on an important issue. It’s a conversation starter that shows people where you draw the line.
- Your voice matters! Between our first call to action on Exit the WHO and April 5, 2024, an additional 46 cosponsors joined the bill, bringing the total to 55 representatives in the House supporting U.S. withdrawal from the WHO.
- Remind your lawmakers today that the U.S. needs to get out of this toxic situation before it gets worse.
- NOTE: You can take action again, even if you have before. This is a new message for those who haven’t signed on yet. Your email will go only to lawmakers who have not yet signed on to HR79, so even if you’ve already sent an email, send again to lawmakers who hit the snooze alarm on this critical bill!