Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Mike Lee have introduced the Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act, which proposes a complete withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations. This legislation addresses issues related to national sovereignty and fiscal accountability, which they argue have been problematic in the U.S.'s involvement with the UN. The DEFUND Act is co-sponsored by Senator Rick Scott. In addition, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Representative Chip Roy are introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Senator Blackburn stated, “The United Nations has betrayed our trust time and time again, and we cannot continue to be their cash cow and undermine our own national security interests.” She added that the DEFUND Act aims to stop all forms of U.S. financial support to the UN.

Senator Lee expressed his concerns by saying, “No more blank checks for the United Nations. Americans' hard-earned dollars have been funneled into initiatives that fly in the face of our values." He emphasized that future engagements with the UN would require Senate backing and clear terms for withdrawal.

Representative Roy criticized various actions by the UN, stating: "From UNRWA actively protecting Hamas...to China being elected to the 'Human Rights Council,'...the UN's decades-old, internal rot once again raises questions." He further mentioned that he is proud to lead this effort alongside Senators Lee and Rogers.

The DEFUND Act includes key elements such as repealing acts binding the U.S. to the UN, ceasing financial support, prohibiting involvement in peacekeeping operations, revoking diplomatic immunity for UN officials within U.S. borders, formalizing withdrawal from certain organizations like WHO, and setting conditions for future engagement with Senate approval.

This introduction comes after years of what some lawmakers see as unchecked bureaucratic expansion and financial misuse by the UN at American taxpayers' expense.