BILL: Should the U.S. Leave the World Health Organization? - WHO Withdrawal Act - H.R.79

The Bill

H.R.79 - WHO Withdrawal Act

Bill Details

• Sponsored by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) on Jan. 9, 2023
• Committees: House - Foreign Affairs
• House & Senate: Not yet passed
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• The bill requires the president to immediately withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). It prohibits the use of federal funds for WHO projects.
• The bill also repeals the 1948 act authorizing the U.S. to join the WHO.

What's in the Bill?

Withdraws the U.S. from WHO

• It will prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to fund the organization. According to the Illinois Freedom Caucus, the U.S. has sent over $4 billion to WHO since 2010.

Establishes U.S. autonomy over public health protocols

• Allows U.S. health authorities to determine protocols, warnings, and safety plans for future pandemics and health emergencies. 

What Sponsors are Saying

• Rep. Biggs, the sponsor of the bill, said:

"Despite the WHO's failure to objectively provide health guidance to the world, President Biden now seeks to give the WHO more authority to define what a pandemic is, how long a pandemic lasts, and encroach upon the sovereignty of nations like ours. It's unacceptable. My legislation ensures that we protect American interests first."

• Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) said:

"During the pandemic, the WHO showed that they are not an independent international public health cooperative, but rather simply a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party. Instead of listening to Chinese scientists warning about the dangers of COVID-19, for months, the WHO parroted CCP talking points including that person-to-person transmission was not possible."

• Tenney continued:

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, the WHO has proven that it does not have America's best interest at heart." 

• The Illinois Freedom Caucus said:

"Withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization is an America First action that is long overdue."

What Opponents are Saying

• One of Biden's first acts in office was to support and strengthen WHO, a decision which "highlight[ed] our nation's commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation in a time of international health crisis."
• The U.S. has a long history of supporting and working with WHO, and despite tensions under Trump, relations have normalized and strengthened under the Biden administration. 

Should the U.S. leave WHO? Tell your reps to support or oppose the bill.

—Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)