Members of the new Congress are challenging US funding for the United Nations and its agencies. The new chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Rep-FL) is questioning continued support of the United Nations. She has introduced legislation, co-sponsored by over 100 other members, which would change payments of the current mandatory "assessments" to the UN to be considered "voluntary" payments.
Unfortunately, the UN is considered an easy target for this budget-cutting Congress. According to recent surveys, most Americans mistakenly believe that the US spends at least 25% of its total budget on foreign interests. However, the US actually only spends slightly over 1% for ALL of its foreign aid and UN expenses.
The new legislation stands to weaken the US's standing in the world at a time when the US needs to work with through international organizations for its own economic and political security. The vote on this may come up as early as Wed Feb 9. The UN needs your help.
If you would like to lend your own support to the UN, please send a note to Congress. Go to Email US Congress. If you would like more information about the costs of UN, go to FAWCO's website at Defending the UN.
