US House of Representatives Votes to Restore Much of UN Funding White House Wants to Cut

 US House of Representatives Restores UN Funding with Conditions

Author: Ian Richards

Publication: LinkedIn

Date: January 2025

URL: Click here for the article

Summary

The US House of Representatives passed the FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs bill by a bipartisan vote of 341-79, restoring much of the UN funding that the White House had requested to cut. 

The bill restores dues for the UN regular budget and peacekeeping operations with a 10 percent reduction reflecting US withdrawal from UNESCO and WHO. 

Voluntary funding for agencies including OCHA, UNICEF, UNDP, and OHCHR receives a 22 percent cut, though the bill specifically requests UNICEF funding remain consistent with previous years and provides an option to fund UNFPA. 

The Better World Campaign has been advocating for continued US funding. 

However, it is important to note that the Senate must also approve the bill, and even if passed, the legislation does not obligate the government to make actual payments—it only makes funds available. 

The American Enterprise Institute has called for the administration to pay 2024 arrears in recognition of recent UN budget cuts, while suggesting 2025 and 2026 payments be tied to mandate reform, entity mergers, reducing the US peacekeeping contribution below 25 percent, and further cuts to UN staff compensation.

Quotes

"The US House of Representatives has restored funding for the UN, but..."

"It specifically requests that UNICEF funding stay consistent with previous years and it provides an option to fund UNFPA."

"Secondly, the bill does not oblige the government to actually make these payments. It just makes the money available."