This legislation aims to ensure significant congressional oversight over international pandemic agreements by requiring Senate approval for any U.S. obligations under a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic instrument. It explicitly mandates that the United States cannot become a party to any convention, agreement, or international instrument under the WHO concerning pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response unless it is approved as a treaty by the Senate . A key provision of the bill is the immediate suspension of U.S. funding for the WHO. This financial restriction would take effect from the date an agreement described in the bill becomes effective and would continue until the Senate formally approves a resolution of ratification for that specific convention, agreement, or instrument. The bill seeks to assert American sovereignty in global health policy decisions.
Defending American Sovereignty in Global Pandemics Act
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S140)
International Affairs
Defending American Sovereignty in Global Pandemics Act
USA119th CongressS-92| Senate
| Updated: 1/14/2025
This legislation aims to ensure significant congressional oversight over international pandemic agreements by requiring Senate approval for any U.S. obligations under a World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic instrument. It explicitly mandates that the United States cannot become a party to any convention, agreement, or international instrument under the WHO concerning pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response unless it is approved as a treaty by the Senate . A key provision of the bill is the immediate suspension of U.S. funding for the WHO. This financial restriction would take effect from the date an agreement described in the bill becomes effective and would continue until the Senate formally approves a resolution of ratification for that specific convention, agreement, or instrument. The bill seeks to assert American sovereignty in global health policy decisions.