S.774 - WHO is Accountable Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.774, the "WHO is Accountable Act," seeks to prohibit the use of federal funds for membership in or contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) until the Secretary of State certifies that the WHO meets specific conditions. These conditions include reforms related to humanitarian assistance, independence from the Chinese Communist Party, transparency, and stances on certain social issues. The bill also stipulates that no WHO directive should be legally binding on U.S. citizens or states as a condition of U.S. membership.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would halt U.S. funding and participation in the WHO until the specified conditions are met. This could lead to a significant reduction in the WHO's budget and influence, potentially affecting global health initiatives. The bill could also strain international relations, particularly if the U.S. demands are perceived as unreasonable or politically motivated.
Potential Benefits
- Increased accountability and transparency within the WHO.
- Reduced influence of the Chinese Communist Party on global health policy.
- Prevention of U.S. funds being used for activities considered politically charged or non-germane to the WHO's core mission.
- Reinforcement of U.S. sovereignty by ensuring WHO directives are not legally binding.
- Potential reallocation of funds to other health initiatives deemed more aligned with U.S. interests.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced U.S. influence in global health governance.
- Hindered ability to respond to international health crises and pandemics.
- Damage to international relations and cooperation on health issues.
- Potential weakening of the WHO's ability to address global health challenges.
- Loss of access to WHO data, research, and expertise.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on controlling the allocation of federal funds falls under Congress's power of the purse, as outlined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law." The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or freedoms. However, the conditions imposed on the WHO could be viewed as an attempt to influence international organizations, which may raise questions about the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in foreign policy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).