Senator Lee Introduces Bill to Cease U.S. Financial Support and Withdraw from United Nations, Citing $18 Billion in Annual Contributions

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced legislation, the "Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act," calling for the United States' complete withdrawal from the United Nations. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rick Scott (R-FL) in the Senate, with a companion bill in the House led by Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI), aims to address concerns over national sovereignty and fiscal accountability. Senator Lee directly expressed his sentiment on social media, stating, "> Let’s get out of the UN—now!"

The DEFUND Act seeks to repeal critical acts binding the U.S. to the UN, including the United Nations Participation Act of 1945. A core provision of the legislation is to cease all forms of U.S. financial support to the UN, encompassing both assessed and voluntary contributions. According to data from the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. provided over $18 billion to the UN in 2022, making it the largest financial contributor.

Lawmakers supporting the bill argue that American taxpayer dollars have been funneled into initiatives that do not align with U.S. values. Senator Lee stated, "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, enabling tyrants, betraying allies, and spreading bigotry." Representative Chip Roy echoed this, asserting that the UN "doesn't deserve one single dime of American taxpayer money or one bit of our support."

Beyond financial cessation, the DEFUND Act proposes prohibiting any U.S. involvement in UN peacekeeping operations and revoking diplomatic immunity for UN officials within the United States. It also formalizes withdrawal from the World Health Organization and other UN conventions, setting stringent conditions for any future engagement that would require Senate approval with explicit withdrawal provisions. This move aligns with a broader "America First" agenda championed by some Republicans, who view the UN as an organization that has often undermined U.S. interests.

Public opinion on U.S. withdrawal from the UN remains divided, with a Pew Research Center survey from April 2024 indicating that 52% of Americans view the UN favorably, a slight decrease from 57% in 2023. Support is largely split along party lines, with 71% of Democrats and liberal-leaning independents holding a favorable view, compared to 34% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The bill's prospects for passage remain uncertain, though it reflects a growing sentiment among some conservative lawmakers.