WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation to ensure United States foreign aid does not squander taxpayer dollars by propping up governments represented in the United Nations (U.N.) that undermine U.S. interests:

“No more should American taxpayers have to question the value of foreign assistance to countries that oppose our values and interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “The United States must be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring every dollar that we send to foreign nations drives global stability and advances American interests. The United Nations Voting Accountability Act would ensure that taxpayers are not forced to fund countries that undermine and vote against the U.S. in the United Nations.”

The United Nations Voting Accountability Act is sponsored by U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) in the House of Representatives.

BACKGROUND

• Every year, the U.S. spends tens of billions of dollars on foreign aid for countries around the world. The U.S. also contributes more to the United Nations than any other country, and many recipient countries of U.S. foreign aid often vote against America’s interests at the U.N., leaving American taxpayers questioning the value of continued assistance.

• After the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Russia, China, and Pakistan began circulating a U.N. resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire, which ignores Iran’s support for terrorism and shields the Iranian regime from accountability.

• While the resolution does not name the U.S. or Israel, its intent is obvious. It is unacceptable for U.S. aid recipients to use international platforms to undermine America and protect adversaries like Iran. 

THE UNITED NATIONS VOTING ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The United Nations Voting Accountability Act would block U.S. foreign aid to any country that opposes the U.S. at the U.N. or sponsors or leads resolutions that target the U.S. or its allies.

The U.S. Secretary of State may exempt a country if it is determined that:

• There has been a fundamental change in the leadership and policies of the government of the country to which the prohibition applies; and

• As a result of such change, the government will no longer oppose the position of the U.S. in the U.N.

Click here for bill text.

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